PROFESSIONAL PARTIERS ONLY

"We cannot rank Penn State University against other schools in the party category because we feel it is unfair to rank professionals against amateurs"

-Playboy

This institution will be my home for the next four years. The Pennsylvania State University is a solid academic environment with a work-hard-party hard atmosphere. Compounded with top notch engineering, business, liberal arts programs and the best party scene in the nation, we as Nittany Lions have much to be proud of. This American Life chose to investigate what it took to be the #1 party school in the nation. And so the journalists from this nationally acclaimed radio program descended upon the doorsteps of our college, fraternities and homes.

These journalists arrived in our pristine valley to expose the reality behind the #1 party school. A school where even Playboy states that partying that goes on here is incomparable to any other institution. Setting up their base of operations in a small local house situated in the midst of Frat Row, they wait for the brouhaha to commence. It is a football weekend night. The reporter within the first 30 min witness multiple acts of public drunkardness, urination and general anarchy. Through interactions with these intoxicated students many serious issues were brought forth. Underage drinking and high blood alcohol concentrations are the issues that plague Happy Valley. Ironically State College was bestowed the title of the safest place to live in the country. The reporters follow a cop for a night. The crimes of the night are all centered around drinking. 

Reporters from The American Life highlight what it takes to be the number one party school. From mucky fraternity floors to pissing on bushes, listeners begin to feel that weekends at Penn State are exclusively crazy. It is true that drinking is rampant here. It is true that President Spanier and the University have exhausted almost all options to decrease underage consumption of alcohol. This article holds a mirror up to the students who desecrate the name of this prestigious university. The callous attitude of these students end up in date rape cases, violence and property damage. These are very real problems in our society, in our utopia.

Let it be known to all, that these topics are common practice in most public colleges. Problems of this ilk are faced in most public universities. It is just the magnitude of students, over 38,000 students from every state of the country that can seem overwhelming. 5% of students is 1,900 students!! All of this within a mile of the University. I personally do not agree how they define Greek life at Penn State. As a pledge at a fraternity, I partake in parties. However the most important aspect of Greek Life is the concept of brotherhood and service. Fraternities that have sold morals such as Sigma Nu, Beta Theta Pi and Phi Gamma Delta are completely misjudged and overlooked. Depicting Greek Life as a place to have rampant sex and getting drunk is simply not the case at all. 

Interestingly this article does highlight serious issues that plague our university today. Backed with solid observations and quotes this radio program holds up a mirror to our puerile actions.