University of Mississippi - Ole Miss Yearbook (Oxford, MS)

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OUR STUDENT BODY DOES ENJOY ITS FAIR SHARE OF PARTYING, YET THE STUDENTS AT THIS UNIVERSITY SEEM TO HAVE FOUND THE PERFECT MIX OF WORK AND PLAY, ALLOWING THIER GPA TO BE JUST AS IMPRESSIVE AS THEIR SOCIAL LIVES. Admittedly, the University of Mississippi does not excel in every aspect of collegiate im- portance. However, it is common knowledge that no one can throw a party like Ole Miss. Ranking in the top five party schools in the Princeton Review, everyone acknowledges the university ' s rightful place among this leag ue of socially elite. Students find reason to celebrate on any given day for any given oc- casion. The party scene at Ole Miss changes with the seasons. In autumn, fraternity parties are the most popular place in which to revel on the nights before or after a football game. Allowing innumerable guests into their houses, the fra- ternities spend much of their own time and money on these events; bands are often hired to provide the entertainment for the night. Enjoying an evening at one of these parties is not as easy as it seems because one must be on a list of fraternity friends to gain entry. On game days, Ole Miss centers itself around the most festive place of all: the Grove. This enormous cocktail party is the highlight of the weekend, and is an all day affair, beginning in the wee hours of the morning as tailgating spreads are set up until long after the football game is over. Students, alumni and fans all gather on this 10 acre plot under the shelter of tents to tailgate and socialize. Self indulgence is openly encouraged as long as things remain hospitable and pleasant. Many tailgaters bring enough food to rival even the largest Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners. When it comes to tailgating in the Grove, most avid participants spare no expense. Even after the wild atmosphere of football season is long gone, students still crave more action, enjoying the many pleasures the Oxford nightlife offers in the spring semester. The bar scene attracts most of the student body, with 23 bars scattered about Oxford, students have plenty from which to choose. The Square is the most common choice for those want- ing to experience all Oxford has to offer. Due to its big popu- lation of bars within walking distance of each other, it allows students to visit multiple atmospheres in one night. Oxford bars are a favorite among students because they can show off their best dance moves, listen to a favorite local band or perform karaoke. However, no matter what time of year it happens to be, students enjoy going out anytime. While weekend nights remain the most popu- lar, students do not limit themselves to only those nights; many students turn even the most boring week night into an eve- ning of partying. When asked how often he went out, Ben Gilbert, a sophomore double ma- joring in philosophy and religion and classics, replied, I ' ll go out any night of the week as long as I can sport my Costas, because the sun never sets on having a good time. I never worry about getting enough rest for my early classes. My theory is that I ' ll sleep when I die! Even though it may seem as though the number one priority for most Ole Miss students is attending a fun part} . this is not the case. Plenty of students go out only after their schoolwork is done or on the weekends when they do not have to worry about classes. Mae Chandler, a junior criminal justice major and former partier, said, I don ' t go out anymore. I have to be so focused on school; it ' s ridiculous! Ole Miss is not ashamed of its party school reputa- tion. This status, however, does not mean that every Ole Miss student goes out every night of the week. The few students with enough stamina and determination to go to parties every night and the crazy environment in the Grove seen on game days are the basis for this common misconception. Our student bod) does enjoy its fair share of partying, yet the students at this university seem to have found the perfect mix of work and play, allowing their grade point average to be just as impres- sive as their social lives. LEFT COREY SMITH performs at the RIGHT Students find ways to alleviate the stress of school by making plenty of I play. THE OLE MISS

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