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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we ' ve gat BY RACHAEL SHOOK PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRETT KING SP THE CARDINAL CLUB OF OLDEN DAYS MAKES A REVIVAL IN THE FORM OF THE STUDENT SPIRIT COMMITTEE Hotty Toddy : what a wonderful phrase. It is the one cheer that Ole Miss knows by heart. Fans chant it over and over as they tailgate in the Grove while supporting the team in the stadium. It is one of the many traditions held dear by the University of Mississippi. However, some students felt the university needed more. A group of this kind has never been seen at Ole Miss with one exception; in the 1940s, an organization called the Cardinal Club helped raise the university ' s spirit and even do- nated a sign that is now at the entrance on University Avenue. Ole Miss gained a new campus organization to add that something more: the Student Spirit Committee. A group of students decided it was time for Ole Miss to spread more spirit. After, gathering letters of support from the Ole Miss Alumni Association and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics the Student Spirit committee presented their ideas to the Associated Student Body. On February 27, 2006, the ASB officially recognized the SSC as a campus organization. The group and committee are made up of very di- verse and enthusiastic students, said Richard Wood, Student Spirit Committee initiator and director. We really feel that we will make a positive difference on game days. The committee, advised by Ole Miss alumna, Assis- tant Director of Marketing, and employee of Alumni Affairs, Molly Meisenheimer, said It is a diverse group of students who supply ideas and opinions in order to help promote Ole Miss and the game day they experience. The goals of the SSC are to promote spirit by sup- plying ideas and opinions from the student-led committee to build up student attendance at home football games. Their intentions are to build on the already exisitng traditions at Ole Miss. Wood said, The committee pledges to uphold every value of what is best for the University of Mississipp i Student Body. In March, the committee held a pep rally before the Memphis home game. Sponsored by Stanford Financial of Memphis fans gathered in the Grove on Saturday, September 2. The pep rally began with the Pride of the South pep band pumping up the crowd. The spirit committee chose Senior Memphis Marcus Guinn as the new mie-man for the pep rally and each home game. The Ole Miss Cheerleaders and Rebelettes both performed and led the crowd in cheers and chants. Roun McNeal, ASB president, spoke, as did Chancel- lor Khayat. Coach Orgeron and members of the football team gave inspirational speeches, adding to the energy of the crowd. An autographed football was thrown into the immense crowd. After the speakers were finished, the Krakerjacks performed on the Grove stage. Many stayed out until late in the evening, relaxing and having fun in the Grove as the band played classic rock music. During the Memphis game, the student spirit com- mittee also helped set up the Rebel Power Hour. The first 500 students to the game received free commemorative cups from Coca-Cola and were able to present them to the conces- sion stand to obtain a free Coke product. The idea of the Rebel Power Hour was to get students to the game earlier. The Student Spirit Committee ' s goal for the future is to strive to establish more traditions and boost the school spirit at Ole Miss. When asked about this dedicated group of students, advisor Molly Meisenheimer said, The enthusiasm and school spirit generated by this group of students and their desire for Ole Miss fans to become more involved is the reason I agreed to be the advisor. I believe they are learning how to organize events, obtain sponsorships and do the behind-the-scenes work that it takes to make events successful. Most of the members of the Student Spirit committee are already campus leaders, very active in various organizations, and it has been amazing to see them ' step up to the plate ' with yet another commitment. What we all have in common is our love for this University and our desire to help enhance spirit on this campus. How fun is that? I am proud to be associated with these students. lEFT SHAW MOORE .nior majoring in Southern studies, celebrated with n the Grove before the game against Memphis. THE OLE MISS 2 9