PARTY SCHOOL RANKINGS COME IN

DEKALB, Ill. (U-WIRE) -- It takes dedication from students to earn a spot
on the Princeton Review's top party school list -- a dedication to drinking.

Every year, the Princeton Review surveys 65,000 students nationwide. Based
on questions relating to alcohol and drug use, the amount of time spent
studying outside of class and popularity of Greek systems, they compile the
top 20 party schools in the United States.

The Princeton Review's Top 5 Party Schools are: 1. Indiana
University-Bloomington 2. Clemson University 3. University of
Alabama-Tuscaloosa 4. Pennsylvania State University Park 5. University of
Florida, according to www.princetonreview.com

Princeton Review's Top 5 "Stone Cold Sober" Schools are: 1. Brigham Young
University 2. Wheaton College 3. United States Air Force Academy 4. United
States Naval Academy 5. United States Coast Guard Academy, according to
www.princetonreview.com

Playboy Magazine's Top 5 Party Schools are: 1. Arizona State University 2.
California State University-Chico 3. Rollins University 4. Louisiana State
University 5. West Virginia University, according to www.playboy.com

Topping this year's list was Indiana University-Bloomington. IU officials
are skeptical about their status as the nation's top party school, however.
According to a USA Today report, the university said that they have
toughened alcohol policies since the 1998 alcohol-related death of a student.

Although the Princeton Review credits IU as the top party school, the IU
Hoosiers were nowhere to be found on Playboy Magazine's 2002 Party school
list, which was crowned by the Arizona State Sundevils.

No. 1-ranked ASU also happens to be home to several clips of girls flashing
cameras and making out with each other on the notorious "Girls Gone Wild"
videos.

Playboy compiled its 2002 university rankings based on e-mail submissions
from students. The students were asked to give reasons why their school is
the best place to party.

Not only did they consider alcohol and drug use to rank universities, but
also the number of arrests made at parties, access to other top party spots
and how "hot" their female co-eds are. The associate editor of Playboy
Allison Lundgren said in a press release that the more attention that they
receive from one school, the more consideration they will give to that
school to be ranked as a top party school.

Playboy also said in a press release that they weren't just looking for a
party school, but a well-rounded university.

"We want a school where people party hard and study hard as well," Lundgren
stated.

But the e-mails they have posted on their site don't tend to highlight
academics.

One student from No. 2-ranked California State University-Chico wrote to
Playboy, "The day I moved into the dorms, 22 flyers were slipped under my
door telling me where to find the hottest co-eds looking to take me home.
That night, I didn't sleep because my arm was stuck underneath the girl I
lost my virginity to."

An Ohio State University student wrote, "The parties never stop. Girls drop
their panties on every possible occasion."

The Princeton Review goes even further with its rankings.

It also ranks specific aspects of the party school criteria. They include
"Reefer Madness," "Lots of Beer," "Lots of Hard Liquor" and "Major Frat and
Sorority Scene." On its Web site, it issues a "warning" about top party
school students who may not be the "party type."

"Not that we want to spoil the surprise, but dry, mellow, studious types
should think twice before attending Indiana University - Bloomington," the
Web site stated.

Where does Northern Illinois U. fit in?

NIU may not be ranked by the Princeton Review or Playboy Magazine as a wild
and crazy university, and it might not have "Girls Gone Wild" knocking on
DeKalb's door, but NIU students say that doesn't mean that the Huskies
don't party.

Junior deaf education major Beth Dominguez said it doesn't matter if a
school is ranked or not as a party school.

"At every school, there are always going to be the party people who will
find a way to party anywhere," Dominguez said.

Although she has heard NIU has an image of being a party school, Dominguez
hasn't found that to be true, but she said she still finds plenty of ways
to party.

Freshman electrical engineering major Bill Jackson said if you aren't greek
it is harder to find stuff to do, but he also has no problems finding his
own ways of partying.

Some students said schools in warm weather climates are more apt to be
considered party schools, but that theory is squashed by schools like
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and University of
Wisconsin-Madison, both of which made Playboy's list.

Stephanie Jurs, sophomore political science major, said that the atmosphere
in Carbondale is much different than NIU, which is why it is considered
more of a party school than NIU.

"Carbondale felt boring -- there was nothing to do but party," Jurs said.
"It doesn't seem to have the unified, coherent atmosphere that NIU has."

Packin' It Up

NIU students have mixed feelings about why it may not be ranked as a party
school, and some believe that NIU is considered by many to be a suitcase
school.

Student Association Director of Greek affairs Mike Evans said that it seems
that students say they go home on the weekends because there is nothing to
do, but there is nothing to do because people go home on the weekends.

"There are enough alternatives," Evans said. "That is just an excuse."

Dominguez said she doesn't see the party scene being much different here if
we weren't a suitcase school.

Jurs said although the partying might increase if we weren't a suitcase
school, that factor alone is not enough to make us "one of those huge party
schools." In fact, she thinks that being a suitcase school has its benefits
and might even help students focus on their academics.

Do Greeks Have More Fun?

One aspect of the Princeton Review party school ranking was the popularity
of Greek life. But does that make a party school? Some agree and others
disagree.

Evans said that here at NIU, greeks provide one of the only social outlets
on campus. Although it seems that schools with huge greek systems are more
party schools, he doesn't think that increasing the greek system would
change things. Rather than increasing the number of chapters on campus, he
would like to see more growth within the chapters.

Dominguez said although the greeks on this campus do provide most social
opportunities, some of the parties are "selective" as far as who can attend.

Jackson said it is difficult to find out about and get into some greek
parties unless you are in a fraternity or a sorority.

They all agreed, however, that if you are not greek, it doesn't mean that
you don't party. You might just have to work a little bit harder to find
out where they are.

Is Recognition Worth It?

The American Medical Association believes that the top party school ranking
should be removed completely from the Princeton Review because it "gives
college students a skewed perception about 'partying' on campus."

Richard Yoast, director of the AMA's Office of Alcohol and Other Drug
Abuse, said in an AMA press release, "The Princeton Review should be
ashamed to publish something for students and parents that fuels the false
notion that alcohol is central to the college experience and that ignores
the dangerous consequences of high-risk drinking."

Not only that, but the AMA says that appearing on the party school list can
hurt the reputation of universities that offer a quality education.
Students who are academically focused may steer clear of universities that
are considered to be party schools for fear that they will be distracted
from their studies.

Dominguez said that while the reputation of a university may be hurt by
such a label, that doesn't mean the academic quality of the education has
to be compromised, and a classification as a party school would not deter
her from attending a "party" university.

Jurs, however, said that since she is very focused on her academics, she
doesn't think she would want to be at a place that houses such a party
atmosphere.

"I am reminded of those awful 'Girls Gone Wild' videos when I think of a
party school," Jurs said. "We are not [in college] to drink and party and
flash people."