2008 Woodie Awards
Party reputation still holds concerns
Devon Courtney, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: News
Many students who find themselves capable and responsible in making their own decisions are infuriated by this notion. The idea that because a student decided to go to UMass gives him or her a social stigma is arousing dissent in much of the student body.
"They automatically think that I'm a slacker and a crazed alcoholic just because I'm a student here," said freshman theater and journalism major Liz Wahlman. "The reputation makes me feel like I have to state my GPA whenever someone asks me where I go to college."
Many argued that the UMass reputation is an exaggeration of what is the normal standard at any other college.
"Predisposition towards partying in our school is contributing to the social atmosphere, and it's fairly normal," said biology major Kelsey Stinemack.
"State schools in general tend to get that rap," he concluded.
A lot of negativity about the potential reputation of the UMass community is evident in some UMass students.
"Given the personality of students coming in, the ones that have no direction or academic ambition, the school's reputation will get a whole lot worse before rising again," said junior English major Myles Kaeding.
There is some optimism in the student body however. Many students and alumni agree that the way UMass is regarded will be reliant upon future generations of students.
"I see [UMass] becoming one of the premiere state schools [like] UNC Chapel Hill or the University of Chicago," said Tsapatsaris. "The degrees will be worth more in five years in academic capital than they were five years ago, which is undoubtedly a plus."
"It is up to the students of today to mold the reputation [UMass] will have tomorrow," said De La Cruz.
Devon Courtney can be reached at dcourtne@student.umass.edu.
"They automatically think that I'm a slacker and a crazed alcoholic just because I'm a student here," said freshman theater and journalism major Liz Wahlman. "The reputation makes me feel like I have to state my GPA whenever someone asks me where I go to college."
Many argued that the UMass reputation is an exaggeration of what is the normal standard at any other college.
"Predisposition towards partying in our school is contributing to the social atmosphere, and it's fairly normal," said biology major Kelsey Stinemack.
"State schools in general tend to get that rap," he concluded.
A lot of negativity about the potential reputation of the UMass community is evident in some UMass students.
"Given the personality of students coming in, the ones that have no direction or academic ambition, the school's reputation will get a whole lot worse before rising again," said junior English major Myles Kaeding.
There is some optimism in the student body however. Many students and alumni agree that the way UMass is regarded will be reliant upon future generations of students.
"I see [UMass] becoming one of the premiere state schools [like] UNC Chapel Hill or the University of Chicago," said Tsapatsaris. "The degrees will be worth more in five years in academic capital than they were five years ago, which is undoubtedly a plus."
"It is up to the students of today to mold the reputation [UMass] will have tomorrow," said De La Cruz.
Devon Courtney can be reached at dcourtne@student.umass.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Ed Cutting
posted 4/08/08 @ 6:25 AM EST
Do not forget that the same Princeton Review listed UMass as THIRD in the "Long lines & red tape" category.
I argue that there is a relationship -- that the way students are treated affects both student drinking and student violence. (Continued…)
Hobart Lane
posted 4/08/08 @ 10:10 AM EST
No wonder they have fallen off the list. 2003 was the last real party at Umass.
anon
posted 4/08/08 @ 6:17 PM EST
The University of Chicago is not even close to being a premier state school, mostly because it is a private institution.
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