NSCS Chapter School
UNIGO SUMMARY
Kansas University has a reputation for being a liberal anomaly amongst neighboring Bible Belt universities.
Located at the top of Mount Oread (aka “The Hill”), students spend four years tightening and toning with every uphill hike to class. Students hail mostly from the state of Kansas or other Midwestern states, and the low cost of tuition draws socioeconomic diversity.
Jayhawks are particularly proud of their basketball and football teams, with lively parties, tailgates and other inebriated events surrounding the games. Academics are manageable and course loads vary by major, but students always find the time to invest in a slew of campus activities. Greek life has a definite presence on campus, but at a university this large and open-minded, it’s easy for almost anyone to find a people with similar interests. On the weekends (weekend meaning Wednesday through Sunday), students either head to house parties or Massachusetts Street—“Mass Street” in local lingo—for pubs, grub and general merrymaking. For those who’d prefer not to leave campus, KU hosts regular concerts, theater productions, and Cosmic Bowling in the student union bowling alley.
UNIGO REVIEW
The stereotype of KU students is that everyone is from
Johnson County (the wealthiest in Kansas), liberal, and a huge basketball
fan. Though not everyone fits this description, students say the reputation is not entirely unfounded. A freshman studying communications confirms, “Most KU students are from Johnson County. Most students come from wealthy families. They are predominantly left.” Those who don't fit this profile shouldn't be deterred, as undergrads say that the KU community welcomes students of all backgrounds and beliefs, and with
almost 30,000 students on campus, finding that diversity isn’t difficult. “KU has been accused of being a liberal cesspool; while I'd hardly define us as a hippie haven, we are a very diverse, accepting university,” says a sophomore education major.
The size of the school can be overwhelming for an entering
freshman, but students say it feels like it gets smaller with time. Running into
acquaintances around campus and in town is common, although getting noticed in the classroom takes a lot of effort. “Overall, because it is such a big school, it offers a lot of diverse opportunities to fit a student's needs," says a sophomore creative writing major. "However, a student must expend a lot more energy to find or create those opportunities for themselves here.” Undergrads get involved in Greek life, intramural sports, religious groups, political clubs, the LGBTQ community, and and multicultural organizations when they're looking for a more tight-knit feel within the large university.
Classes are large, especially early on. Intro and gen-ed
courses often number in the hundreds and are lecture-based, but higher-division
courses are much smaller and discussion is encouraged. “It is a big school with a lot of big classes, so you have to be able to handle the relative lack of personal attention,” writes a senior marketing major. Those who score a spot in the Honors program have access to smaller class
sections and closer relationships with teachers, but with that usually comes
more work, responsibility, and preparation for class discussions. In regular
course sections, students say that taking the extra effort to seek out professors
after class and during office hours pays off. “I definitely suggest taking advantage of office hours even if you don’t think you need help in a course, because sooner or later you might need a recommendation letter, and any way you can get the professors to remember you will help,” writes a sophomore.
When students need a break from class there are always
social activities going on around campus like cheap movies and bowling in the Union. Off campus, Lawrence provides the perfect college town atmosphere, replete with restaurants,
bars, clubs, and shops. Massachusetts Street (or "Mass Street" for short) is
the main off-campus hangout. “The street’s got food, clothing, and when it's nice outside, people playing guitar or other instruments for tips on the corner,” writes a freshman majoring in biology. Mass Street's lively personality lasts through the night on weekends and
on most weekdays as well, with college kids running up tabs at the bars. “We have a saying: 'Thursday is the new Friday, and Wednesday is the new Thursday,'" explains a sophomore biology major. "So basically the bars are hopping during the nights of Wed-Sat. And if there's a big celebration or event occurring, the[re are] more parties.”
Celebrations abound on campus and around Lawrence during
basketball and football seasons. Athletic events are wildly popular and students say tailgating and attending sporting events are essential aspects of the KU experience. “KU has A LOT of school pride," writes a sophomore. "How can you go to such a great college without having pride in it...especially after winning the Orange Bowl and NCAA [basketball] championship within one year?! I love walking into classrooms and seeing the wave of blue, red, and white KU T-shirts.”
Overall, KU is a big university with big opportunities and a big spirit.