UW-Madison was not included in the list of the Top Party Schools by the Princeton Review this year, and there is nothing wrong with that. After we ranked among the top schools in the last few years, including first overall three years ago, we received no recognition this year for our partying habits. But when there are so many other positive things about this school, why should such notoriety be missed?
First of all, the rankings are based solely on student surveys, and often change from year to year. In reality, they mean very little.
There will be the same amount of partying this year as there was last year and the year before that, regardless of any ranking. Parties and drinking are such a major part of student life that they are the cornerstones of our campus traditions.
The livelihood of game days, the Halloween celebration and Mifflin Street block parties rely heavily on the consumption of alcohol. Losing our spot on the list does not mean that Badger social life is worse than before, so worrying about where the Princeton Review ranks us is pointless.
Many students consider the ranking and corresponding reputation a claim to fame that nationally distinguishes Madison as a special institution. They may see this as a tragic event that signals the beginning of our university's decline from greatness as a regional party Mecca, but that is nonsense. These students claim to party in order to retain our reputation as the top party school, but they are going to party anyway. The low"" ranking serves as a convenient excuse for their revelry - partying upholds our school pride.
This superficial and arbitrary ranking is not necessary in order for our school to be considered great. The college-town atmosphere, first-rate athletics and beautiful campus have already done that. UW-Madison is a standout in academic achievements, research and student activism. These are the things that will have the most important impact on our country's and world's future, and they can't always be recognized by any rankings.
If you consider the intent of the university's founders, it should be clear that achieving the so-called title of ""Top Party School"" was not one of their major ambitions. Despite what many ""National Lampoon"" movies may suggest, partying harder than everyone else isn't the single most important thing about college, even if it is fun. If we were ranked for our intense study habits, it's hard to believe that that there would be as much enthusiasm accompanying it.
Our party school image is not necessarily negative, but it is not the best aspect of the Madison experience. In fact, UW-Madison's reputation as a place for debauchery may take away from our prestige as a place of serious learning and active student participation. Universities are places of learning, and being ranked No. 1 for something other than that insults our academic achievements.
On the other hand, being a top party school is also proof that many students here are capable of being intelligent and informed, and yet are able to let loose and have fun when they have time. In that dual nature of a Madison student, the classroom aspect should take priority over the social episodes, and therefore the party school ranking doesn't necessarily present our best contributions to the world. It sends the wrong message about what we're trying to accomplish.
No longer is being a top party school is significant because of the many other strengths of the university. Students are still going to party just as much; earning that empty title is not even close to the best thing we can accomplish.
Brian Bisek is a sophomore with an undecided major. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
