Gonzaga University Top Questions

There are LOTS of ways to get involved. There are a lot of sports teams and even more inter mural teams that are constantly active. There are clubs and organizations in just about every aspect of interest, and if there isn't one, it is easy and encouraged to start your own. Basketball is huge, both the men and womens teams are known for their outstanding performances.

Social life on the weekends is synonymous with alcohol. Most students complain of having limited activities on the weekend. I would say this is only a problem during the winter months when it gets too cold to do activities outside

I was surprised that not that many people drink on campus, but there definitely is a social scene there is hella bomb shit to do though!! and hella ways to get involved

There are many popular organizations on campus, as I stated before. Those are some of the most prominent organizations on campus, but there are many others, as well as intramural and club sports teams and other such activities. Our most popular TEAM on campus would undoubtedly be our basketball team. Basketball at Gonzaga is part of the culture. If you don't like basketball, good luck surviving at Gonzaga (haha, joking). But seriously, the games bring the entire Gonzaga community together as one, and that is an AWESOME thing to see. Most of the students in the dorms leave their doors open so that people can come in and out and visit with each other. It is a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. Overall, I would have to say that the residence halls on campus are awesome places to live, because each one has its own personality and they are all very fun places to be. If you're awake at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday, odds are someone else is awake and is willing to have a random late-night philosophical conversation with you or something. I am definitely a night owl, and often find myself up late at night, but I am never awake by myself - there are always other night owls roaming around. It's pretty great. The party/drinking scene at Gonzaga is up for debate. Some people would say that it is pretty prevalent on campus, while others would say it's not really a big deal. I don't think it's really that HUGE of an element on campus, but I would be lying if I said that it didn't happen at all. Fraternities and sororities don't exist at Gonzaga (besides Alpha Kappa Psi, our business fraternity, and a couple other academic fraternities), however, we have an organization called Knights and Setons which is probably the closest thing to a fraternity/sorority. There is a huge brotherhood/sisterhood that occurs with Knights and Setons, so it is fraternity/sorority-esque, but the students don't live together in a designated house or anything, and they are big on philanthropy. There is SO much to do on a Saturday night that doesn't involve drinking, it's pretty insane. I would know, as I do just that, every weekend. I generally prefer to have Boggle game competitions with my friends, but we're nerds. Haha. Just trust me when I say that there is a TON of stuff to do on campus that doesn't involve drinking, and that's awesome! Like I said before, there is always so much to do on campus, that leaving campus isn't required much, if at all. However, if you DO want to venture off of campus, the main downtown area is only a 15-20 minute walk away, and there is a trail called "Centennial Trail" that takes you directly from campus to downtown on a very scenic route by the Spokane River. It's really nice. There is a fair amount to see downtown, and we often have Broadway plays come to Spokane. That is a huge draw for students, as well as good bands/performers that come play at some of the venues downtown. But, for the most part, students prefer to hang out on campus.

Athletics is big at GU. Our intermurals are through the roof, and I can almost guarantee that you'll know someone who is on a varsity team. Personally, I know probably a dozen. Students are pretty open within dorms, but it's difficult to make friends at first outside your dorm. You'll get over that, but it's still true. Also, as you become an upperclassman, you'll notice that you actually know everyone and, moreover, everyone knows each other. People you think didn't know each other will have been friends for three and a half years when you introduce them. Spokane is a 'make your own fun' kind of place. Downtown is within walking distance, but there's not much other than that. There are no frats but that does not mean there is no drinking. There's lots of drinking, alcohol and coffee. GU does a pretty good job of having something going on at least every other weekend or so that you can do if you don't want to party all the time. Last weekend, I went to a GUTS (Gonzaga University Theater Sports) show, where some of my friends did improv for two hours. Also, I volunteered at a wheelchair track meet in Pasco, and slept. There is lots to do, but you can't be passive about it.

The most popular clubs seem to be the service clubs. Basketball games and guest lecture events are always really well attended (with basketball being the most popular). There is a group called GUTs, which does improv. They are also really popular. I met my closest friends freshman and sophomore year, and in my classes, but past that it can be kind of difficult to meet new people, since it seems like everybody finds their group and stays friends throughout. There are not many options in the dating sector, since it is such a small school. People party all of the time, actually. The entire last month of school is dedicated to senior partying, and there are designated senior events such as the senior ball, boat cruise, line dancing, pizza night, bowling night, etc. It is pretty important (almost too important) to a lot of people here. However, there are also many people who just do it for fun, and don't take it so seriously. We don't have Greek life, but that does not stop people from doing service or having a good time. If you don't like to drink, however, that is not really a big problem, and the University actually sponsors a lot of weekend events and other events that do not involve alchohol. Downtown Spokane is also about a 15 minute walk away, and there are a lot of restaurants/ movie theatres, etc. down there.

Again- as a distance degree student this question does not apply to me.

Students leave their doors open in dorms for the most part and there are social events that different halls put on throughout the year. Basketball games are the most popular athletic event here which is always the most exciting time of the year. I met my closest friends freshmen year because they were my dormmates and we have lived together ever since. If I'm up very late into the night it is usually because I am doing homework. There are senior events that happen each year as well as some freshmen initiation events as well which are a lot of fun. People party the most on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, but it is just as easy to not party as it is to find a party to go to. Fraternities and sorities are not a part of the Gonzaga life because we are about establishing a bigger community and not segregating people. People often go out to eat, to the mall or to see if a movie if they are not into drinking.

Spokane nightlife is almost nonexistent, so if you like to party on the weekends you are limited to house parties or the few bars around campus. The bars by campus are great - it isn't really a pickup scene because everyone there already knows each other. It's like being in Crosby (the student center) with alcohol.

CCASL is the way to go. Community service and social justice will help open your eyes to the world and change your life forever.

There's club or organization for everyone, from the ski club to the wine club to the environmental clubs. And almost every club hosts an event during the year, either a dinner fundraiser, a movie night, a guest lecturer. There are also a few theater productions every year as well as constant sporting events. There's something going on on campus at least once a week, normaly about three days a week. Students like to enjoy themselves. The doors in dorms are always open and everyone is very welcoming. On the weekends you can wander around a dorm and find something to do. Since I'm 21 I enjoy the bars by campus. But it's also fun to go downtown to get away from all of the Gonzaga students. There are a ton of bars downtown, and there are "events" every night. Most students go out on Friday and Saturdays, but seniors like to go out on Thursdays as well. One of the bars by campus has kareokee on Thursday nights, that's always fun. There are also a ton of things to do that don't involve drinking, such as laser tag (which is very popular), going to the movies, rock climbing. We don't have fraternities or sororities, but we have a community service group for men and women that is like a fraternities or sororities. You have to apply and go through interviews and perform tasks to be admitted.

Basketball is great. The dorms are fun. Lots of cool things nearby too.

Basketball is HUGE! Everyone goes to the games - they are a ton of fun! Also, there are two local bars right next to campus that the juniors and seniors go to often. There are no fraternities or sororities, but there are a lot groups and clubs that get together and do social events. There are a lot of parties around campus, but I would estimate that the ratio between hard partiers and those who only go out occasionally is about 50/50. However, the more you go out, the more well-known you are. Gonzaga is not about popularity, but if you are the type who wants to "be known" then go out. The dating scene is wierd here. Some people date, some are in relationships, but for the most part Gonzaga seems to have a "make-out" and "hook-up" culture. A one or two time thing between a guy and girl and then it is done. Nothing gets too awkward between the two, it is just known that they had a thing and now it is over and usually they go on to be friends. If you don't like to drink or party, there are a ton of university events on weekends for students, from dinners, to movies, concerts, etc. Also, Spokane is full of things to do. There are a lot of restaurants, parks and outdoor activites - it is a family town so there is always something going on, on a weekend night. Students at Gonzaga volunteer a lot and are really involved in their community. There are many service organizations on campus that do everything from build houses, mentor students or put on events to raise money for third world countries.

The basketball are always huge, as i am sure you could imagine. The other sporting events, I have yet to really get a chance to go to, I have always been busy with other activities or working on homework. I am on an intramural soccer team, and it has been pretty fun, just playing around with some friends, In my residence hall (Twohy) we are a suite style, but most of the suites keep their outer doors open, and if not the outer one, the inner ones are almost always open for people to pop their heads in an see whats up. A lot of people party every single weekend, and if thats your thing, you can find something for you. Personally, i do not drink, and I don't get hassled for it or anything, I can always find something to do with other people, watch a movie, go to a movie, go out for dinner, make dessert back at home, all fun things.

The most popular groups on campus are organizational group having to do with the University. The University and the activities are highly run by the students. For the most part, people leave their doors open in dorms and are highly social. Athletics are present but not required. It is a great place to meet people but not a must. The party scene is present, however, you are regarded as an outcast if you don't attend. The major party night is Saturday. There are no sororities or fraternities, therefore you are forced to make friends elsewhere.

There is always something going on around campus from concerts to guest speakers.

If you're awake at 2am, there could be two things that you are doing. 1. You're writing a paper at lightning speed because it's due the next day (same thing goes for tests). 2. You're at your friend's house with a group of crazies who also don't have class until later in the day on the next day, and you're having intellectual conversations, doing handstand pushups against the wall (or trying and failing), and discussing why men and women--despite similar size--are still unequal in strength...and how maddening it is. You're also probably watching old TV series like Boston Legal, House, or The West Wing. If you're interested in activities that don't involve drinking, there are a lot of them set up by Dawgs After Dark, an activity group on campus. You can go play lasertag, rock climb, bowl, go to the mall, have a movie night, go see a movie, run around and be crazy college kids, go to GUTS--our improv comedy group on campus which is REALLY REALLY GOOD AND FUNNY!

The most popular activities on campus is the Kennel Club which is the student cheering section for all the sporting events. There is a lot of pride and support shown for members of different groups and activities. In my hall the doors are always open and people rotate in and out all the time continually interacting and sharing. The theater shows are always popular as well as the guest poetry speakers. I met some of my closest friends on the retreats and my fellow hallmates. My favorite memory would be staying up until 3am on weekends with my entire hall playing guitar and having a sing along and open floor for speaches. There are plenty of parties but the majority of students do not join in. There are no frats or sororities but each sports team has its own house off campus. Last weekend I went to the school baseball games and watched my friend pitch a complete game shutout.

BORING, even school sanctuned events are not only boring but few and far between especially during the winter when you need it most. Parties are lame and the good ones get broken up before you get your money in beer worth.

Kennel Club is intense because of the school spirit. Knights and Setons is another one that only sophomores can take part of. People often party on the weekends but thursday seems to be the other exception.Off campus I go to movies, walk around downtown, and eat out.