Quinnipiac University evolved from Quinnipiac College only a few years ago and it continues to expand. This is one of the reasons the student body is currently at odds with the administration: QU is accepting more Bobcats than it has room for, meaning that seniors must live on campus and most other students are crammed into whatever rooms are available. “The housing stinks. What school still has juniors living in forced triples?” grouses one sophomore and “parking is a nightmare,” complains another. Still, many students embrace the changes. Says one freshman, “Every class gets to be the 'first' in something ... my class was the first class to have a full season in our brand new area, next year’s class will be the first to have the new cafeteria. Every year gets a bit more challenging, so our reputation is constantly growing for the better.”
The administration has also come under fire for the way it interacts with the students. Last year, the campus was first plagued by racist incidents and then embroiled in a censorship scandal between the president and the newspaper that was picked up by the New York Times. “Every year there seems to be some sort of racial or sexual abuse event which I think is unusual for a school this small. Worse yet, the administration doesn't seem to care,” reports one alum. Other students question the administration’s priorities. “Not being a high maintenance person it is hard to be around people that are high maintenance, and a school that is high maintenance. The campus is perfect for a reason, and I personally don't think the amount of money going into maintaining the grounds is necessary,” says one undergrad.
Other Bobcats cite the campus’s pristine condition as their favorite aspect of the university. One senior praises the “gorgeous campus setting. The buildings are kept up to date and everything looks new.” Another raves, “Quinnipiac is a country club and I love it that way!” The comparison to a country club is apt: aside from being meticulously well-maintained, the student body at this Connecticut institution is largely Caucasian and, thanks to high tuition and low financial aid, well-off. As one freshman puts it, “Quinnipiac students protest the stereotypes that they are given by outsiders, about being rich spoiled white kids who party all the time. While obviously not every student fits that description, it is true that the school has an awful lot of Abercrombie/Hollister-wearing, Bentley-driving, upper-middle-class white kids who live within two hours of the school so they can go home about four times a semester, on average.” A sophomore concurs, “QU is probably one of the least diverse schools I've seen, and that's coming from someone who lived their whole life in Vermont.”
While most students agree that the lack of diversity is a problem, they tend to enjoy each other’s company and, especially, QU’s social life. “People party a lot on weekends, which sometimes start on Wednesday night, both on campus and off,” says one junior. Frats and sororities contribute to the excitement, but as they don’t have houses and are a relatively modest presence on campus, partiers mostly troop off to nearby New Haven. “Every Saturday night is a blast at Quinnipiac. The school provides shuttles that bring the students to Toads, the greatest nightclub in Connecticut. The club is large enough to fit the 600 students, and the specials are great. For those who aren't 21, New Haven has bars to compensate. Most bars, such as Gotham or Hammerjacks, are 18 to enter,” says one freshman.
On campus activities, by contrast, don’t attract a lot of interest. Says one freshman, “There are some clubs on campus, but they are not popular and no one participates in their events unless there's free food.” QU doesn’t have a football team, a fact that some blame for the lack of school spirit, and crowds don’t turn out for other sports. Men’s hockey is the exception. “Athletic events aren't as big on this campus but hockey games are a big deal. Everyone attends them and goes crazy,” says one junior. QU also recently made headlines when it was declared the most apolitical school in the nation. One freshman calls that a fair assessment: “Students aren't really politically aware at all. We're extremely apathetic, but who cares anyway.” And one senior, at least, sees the bright side: “While Quinnipiac is not very progressive socially, it is actually nice to be an activist on campus. It's not like you're at a school that’s already completely progressive, you actually feel like you’re making your campus a better place.”
Many Bobcats seem to be at college not to obsess over politics or activism, but to get an education that will help them succeed in the outside world. Here, Quinnipiac puts its best foot forward. “I think the academics at Quinnipiac are outstanding! I have had some really terrific professors that are so knowledgeable in their area and boast very impressive resumes of businesses they have worked for. I love being able to walk into the School of Business and have all of my professors from the past 3 years (and even the dean!) to be able to recognize me and greet me by name,” says one senior. The school’s proximity to urban centers—New Haven, Boston, and NYC—and professors’ connections keep the focus on the practical applications of learning. As one senior puts it, “Looking back I wish I joined more [clubs]. My extracurricular activities were mainly my internships. The career center works hard to provide students with internship opportunities. They help students perfect their resume so seniors are primed for the work world.” And though students are often sad to leave what they describe as a “bubble,” they do feel prepared.
