University of Denver Top Questions

Greek life is pretty common on campus, most parties are thrown by the frats. There are some adventurous clubs that are pretty popular too.

Hockey games, Alpine Club (so I hear...), athletics, Greek Life, Sturm Thursday Night Movies (they show recently released movies on the big screen in the auditorium for free). I'm a part of a sorority and absolutely love it. It's a great mix of some of the stereotypes (nothing wrong with a *little* bit of crazy) as well as some amazing groups who are involved with philanthropies, service organizations, and supporting one another! Greek LIfe is about 20{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the population, so it's definitely public, but doesn't take over the school. I'm also on the water polo team, a club sport. It's a ton of fun, a great way to stay in shape and meet some great friends! Guest speakers, athletic events, and other random freebie events are pretty popular, although it's rare for people to go just on their own, friends usually band together for those. There are also a ton of opportunities for musical interests, ethic groups, and community service activities.

Our main sport is Hockey. Many students, Alumni and area residents enjoy attending these events. There are also many other sporting activities that have decent followings like basketball and lacrosse. On campus groups range from hobbies to professional organizations. We also have a greek presence, but it is not very impactful on campus. It seems like the sororities are actively trying to boosts their numbers. Greek life does not impact social life like it would at a public university or private university like SMU. Most students drink socially more than 3 times a week. Drug use occurs with street drugs and prescription abuse. For a student that doesn't drink, they can go to clubs downtown, catch a movie or go to an art show.

Alpine club is one of most popular student group, where the group plans various outdoor activities every month. Thursday night movies are also a highlight were the DU programs board screens a relatively new movie in our largest auditorium before the movie is out on DVD. Hockey games are always sold out. About 18{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the student population are part of the greek system and it's been increasing every year.

The DU Programming Board (DUPB) does a great deal for the student population. Every Thursday (since most people don't have Friday classes) they have a free movie playing, and it's almost always something you'd want to see. Your residence hall your first year will basically become your family (unless you join one of the 8 fraternities or 5 sororities), as RAs are great about encouraging open door policy. Especially if you live in a living and learning communities (LLC) like the Pioneer Leadership Program, or the Sustainability LLC, the people you live with will most likely be the people that you hang out with the rest of your college experience.

Greek life is big for those who want to pursue it, but only about 22 percent of the DU population goes Greek. Intramural sports of Broomball, Volleyball, Basketball, and Soccer all take place htroughout the year. I just started playing intramural soccer every Thursday night and it's really been a great way to end my weeks. We have a lot of school spirit for our hockey games, especially for games against our rival, Colorado College. And hopefully after our Lacrosse team making it to the Final Four, we'll have more spirit for that in the Spring. There are generally house parties mainly on Thursday and Saturday nights, or people are going out to clubs and bars. There are also plenty of alternatives to not drinking with the city of Denver nearby. Tons of people go into the mountains for the weekends and totally love every second of it.

Of course, 16th Stree Mall is just a light rail ride away, so that is always fun for an evening. During ski season, you will be able to find a large number of people going up to the mountains every weekend, but even if skiing isn't your thing, there's plenty to do in Denver. House parties are common, and easy to get into if you know someone, and there is a big bar culture (among the 21+, of course.) Sports games are incredibly fun, especially hockey games, and there are generally good student turnouts for those events. Living in the residence halls is a great way to meet people, and residence hall life is fun, although Greek Life is fairly active also.

The most popular club on campus is Alpine club. This club basically does anything and everything outdoors. Skiing, moonlight snowshoe hikes, rock climbing, weekend trip to Moab. Basically just really amazing things. My favorite club on campus is the Cooking club. They hold events every other week and teach students how to cook a gourment meal. Last year they even did a sushi rolling demo and we all got to make and eat our own sushi after a guest sushi chef taught us how! Another awesome group on campus is the DU Programming Board (DUPB). They put on various events throughout the year including concerts, May Days, Winter Carnival, free movies on thursday nights and much more. During May Days last year, (which is a week basically celebrating spring with free food, concerts, prizes all week), One Republic came for a surprise acoustic concert on the lawn in the middle of campus. We also got 5 dollar tickets to see Jay Z...can't beat that, even if you aren't a huge JayZ fan!

The Alpine Club is really popular and fun - they take some trip outdoors almost every weekend (my favorites are the hikes, but they do rafting, biking, rock climbing, and skiing/snowboarding). Greek Life is fairly popular (~20{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}), and if you want to rush you will get a bid (no cuts throughout rush). With that said, if you aren't in greek life, you can still participate in their parties and philanthropy efforts. Club and intramural sports are also a huge part of campus life - it's a rite of passage to be on a broomball team at least one quarter at DU! We also have a programming board for social events and an undergraduate student government.

Because DU is located in a state where the weather allows for any type of activity imaginable, the students here take full advantage. One of the most popular clubs on campus is DU Alpine Club where students go on trips and spend time outdoors. During winter, students love going skiing and snowboarding in the mountains, only an hour and a half from campus. Also, Explore Denver is an organization that provides students with discounted tickets to activities and venues throughout Denver. For example, you can get Rockies tickets, zoo tickets and even Elitches passes for over 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} off. Last year my friends and I went to the play Billy Elliot at Denver Center of Performing Arts for only $5 per person! Furthermore, students not only get involved on campus but also all around Denver. The lightrail has a stop next to campus where students can navigate Denver and its surrounding areas with ease.