Westhampton College ‘10
It’s true that the recent frat e-mail was disgustingly prejudiced. But more to the point, the images that were so bluntly described are not that far from the true social life of a typical Richmond student.
Here’s the REAL problem: The university cannot figure out how to clean up after its students. And I don’t blame them. How are you supposed to turn a bunch of MRS-seeking (and I apply the idea behind this term to men as well as women), daddy’s girls and momma’s boys into the Ivy-League intellectuals we strive to be? Let’s face it: our school is, for most students here, the second choice to the Ivy League we didn’t get into. And unfortunately, Richmond tends to be the “perfect place” for those students who can’t really take care of themselves.
Apparently, the inability to look after oneself extends as far as the inability to know what is appropriate and what isn’t. Richmond students are not classy.
Yes, I am generalizing, but we all know that this generalization applies to a large majority of UR students — anyone who has ever attended a lodge party or participated in raucous drinking games and freshmen hazing at the apartments knows that those “offensive” statements were closer to the truth than we would like to think.
The worst part is that this is a stereotype that we, as women, are allowing to persist, not through apathy, but rather through our own actions. Because where, exactly, does a stereotype come from? Yep, it’s based on fact. And the longer we continue to act in the manner described, the longer the stereotype will survive.
Think back on your experience at UR — I mean really think back. How many times have YOU grinded vigorously with some guy you don’t even know? How many times have YOU woken up unable to recall all of the events of the previous night?
If your parents didn’t teach you what’s appropriate and what’s not, I’m sorry, but here’s some simple advice from mine: Be smart. If you don’t want stereotypes floating around Richmond, don’t perpetuate them by proving them right.
This is my other quarrel with the students: We complain that Richmond lacks things to do — even the recent Collegian poll showed an overwhelming amount of students think the campus lacks social activities, and yet we expect, once again, the FACULTY AND STAFF to do something about it.
Look, I don’t know where you came from, I don’t know how you grew up or what your parents taught you, but regardless, college is a place to learn and to MATURE. It’s time to start acting like adults and take some responsibility for your own actions. So for God’s sake, STOP COMPLAINING, grow up and make things happen.
Nov. 20, 2008
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College is supposed to be about having fun. Who are you to judge people by how they choose to have fun? When I went to Richmond, some of the hardest working, most mature kids I knew would go to class/study/work off-campus jobs during the week, all in the hopes of being able to go to a lodge party, drink with their friends, and possibly find a member of the opposite sex to go home with. Again, these “immature” people as you have so broadly labeled them are now working on Wall Street as financial analysts, on Capitol Hill for Congressmen and women, attending Law School at some of the best schools in the country, analyzing health care policy for non-profits, the list goes on. These are the classless, immature faux-Ivy Leaguers of which you speak with such disdain.
You know, this article was sent to me by a friend with whom I engaged in such immature, classless behavior. I was a bit angry and upset as the University I knew and loved has changed drastically since my Freshman year. But you know, I don’t fault you. You’re still just a kid. What do you know? You’re just, what? A sophomore? Junior? I actually feel sorry for you. When you’re out of college and looking back, what will you remember? Staying in Boatwright for hours on end? Complaining about how the people surrounding you are classless mongrels? Relax. If you don’t want to be a part of the party-scene, stay in your dorm/apartment/sheltered existence.
I’m in my mid-twenties and, to be honest, I love my life. I’ve got a good job, live in a nice house, make a decent income, and am surrounded by incredible friends. That being said, I will never, for one instant, regret a single thing I did at UR. The freedom you have while in college will never be repeated. You say College is a time to start acting like an adult? I think it’s a perfect time to still enjoy being a kid. There is absolutely nothing “adult” about being in College when your biggest concerns are making it to class and deciding which flavor of Hot Pocket to buy from Edible Bites. But again, talk to me in four years when you’ve been out of school and are grinding in the real world. Tell me then if you wish you would’ve had a couple more wild nights while at UR.
Think back on your experience at UR — I mean really think back. How many times have YOU absolutely wanted to boot someone like Hayley Swinson out of UR? Who is Hayley Swinson? You know her. Same person, different name–the him/her’s whose life is so miserable that they are constantly striving to belittle The Gamer’s, bring them down to their inconsequential level.
Sorry Hayley- Princeton, Harvard, Penn, Yale, among others turned you down.
Truth is, I, too, would have turned down an average person who aims to disqualify herself from the dominant college social scene in our country, because she is to busy dwelling/swelling to fit on Facebook.
Look, I don’t know where you came from, I don’t know how you grew up or how much your parents sheltered you, but regardless, college is a place to LIVE and to ESCAPE. It’s time to start acting like young adults and enjoy yourself. So for God’s sake, STOP BEING HAYLEY SWINSON, STOP BEING a hater, and assimilate into the UR (every college) scene.
Scratch that. Be you.
Hey guys, thanks for the reaction, it’s what I was looking for.
The whole purpose behind this article was not to belittle the college scene, or to set myself apart from it, as I am not by any means holier-than-thou (sorry for making my fb profile unsearchable).
Mostly, my aim was to shock people into thinking about the issue themselves, but more importantly not to be surprised when rumors and stereotypes surface about their actual behavior.
I’m assuming that the two of you are recent graduates and have not been keeping up to date on what’s been going on on campus (though I would like to think that they taught you in law school/wall street or wherever to take things in context). This is a response to the overreaction people had to an email sent by, more than likely, fraternity brothers of yours describing a stereotypical UR woman.
And what did said stereotypical UR woman do after she read the email? She freaked out. When I said “STOP COMPLAINING” I was directing that to those women who got pissed off about somebody making a near-truth statement, or at least, more true than she would like to admit.
I mean, as long as you are willing to accept the consequences of your actions, then go for it, who am I to judge you? The people I intended to point out in this article are those who are guilty of the actions, but were up in arms when those same actions were so disgustingly caricatured.
Also, John - not sure I understand the dwelling/swelling comment? And just in case you were wondering, Richmond was my first choice.