Ohio University-Main Campus Top Questions

What are the most popular student activities/groups?

Madison

Common activities include going to sports events, like hockey, football and basketball games. Many students play intramural sports, like me, which are amazing. There are many political groups students can join as well as writing programs, which allow students to express themselves and make changes in the community. There is also Greek Life on our campus and I have friends who love being involved with their new brothers and sisters. Religious organizations are on our campus as well, such as "Reach Out on Campus" and "Campus Crusade for Christ." I am a new member of CRU and I absolutely love it. There are so many activities and groups to get involved with here! It's just wonderful.

Madison

Common activities include going to sports events, like hockey, football and basketball games. Many students play intramural sports, like me, which are amazing. There are many political groups students can join as well as writing programs, which allow students to express themselves and make changes in the community. There is also Greek Life on our campus and I have friends who love being involved with their new brothers and sisters. Religious organizations are on our campus as well, such as "Reach Out on Campus" and "Campus Crusade for Christ." I am a new member of CRU and I absolutely love it. There are so many activities and groups to get involved with here! It's just wonderful.

Madison

Common activities include going to sports events, like hockey, football and basketball games. Many students play intramural sports, like me, which are amazing. There are many political groups students can join as well as writing programs, which allow students to express themselves and make changes in the community. There is also Greek Life on our campus and I have friends who love being involved with their new brothers and sisters. Religious organizations are on our campus as well, such as "Reach Out on Campus" and "Campus Crusade for Christ." I am a new member of CRU and I absolutely love it. There are so many activities and groups to get involved with here! It's just wonderful.

Lauren

Some of the most popular organizations on campus are service groups that provide students with a way to help the Athens community and meet other students with similar interests.

Kendell

As a student who has been on the Athens campus a shorter time than the normal college academic, I have yet to distinguish which organizations are the most popular at Ohio University. My first assumption would be the Greek organizations, such as fraternities and sororities. While I have seen numerous flyers for these organizations, students are not pressured to be a part of them. The fastest way to make friends is to jump into a couple of organizations that you feel are interesting to you (they do not have to relate to your major) and volunteer for smaller groups within the team. Beginning with groups that you are already interested in will help students to branch into new networks without having to feel pressure to learn the entire history of an organization in two days. Finally there are some organizations that do require a level of academic experience prior to application. For example, some major related organizations require that students have been attending the University for 2-6 quarters before they can apply. This is because these organizations can have a highly intense introduction process, and do not want new freshman to risk academic standing because they are trying to adjust to a college lifstyle. While these requirements are mostly found in major-related organizations, it is wise to make sure that a student's schedule allows time for organizations. Joining a team is a big step because no matter how small your part in the team, you are a link that is relied upon to help perform the simplest of tasks and accomplish great things for your team. While it is exciting to reach out to others, make sure that you have the time to devote to an organization before you bite off more than you can chew.

Kendell

As a student who has been on the Athens campus a shorter time than the normal college academic, I have yet to distinguish which organizations are the most popular at Ohio University. My first assumption would be the Greek organizations, such as fraternities and sororities. While I have seen numerous flyers for these organizations, students are not pressured to be a part of them. The fastest way to make friends is to jump into a couple of organizations that you feel are interesting to you (they do not have to relate to your major) and volunteer for smaller groups within the team. Beginning with groups that you are already interested in will help students to branch into new networks without having to feel pressure to learn the entire history of an organization in two days. Finally there are some organizations that do require a level of academic experience prior to application. For example, some major related organizations require that students have been attending the University for 2-6 quarters before they can apply. This is because these organizations can have a highly intense introduction process, and do not want new freshman to risk academic standing because they are trying to adjust to a college lifstyle. While these requirements are mostly found in major-related organizations, it is wise to make sure that a student's schedule allows time for organizations. Joining a team is a big step because no matter how small your part in the team, you are a link that is relied upon to help perform the simplest of tasks and accomplish great things for your team. While it is exciting to reach out to others, make sure that you have the time to devote to an organization before you bite off more than you can chew.

Kendell

As a student who has been on the Athens campus a shorter time than the normal college academic, I have yet to distinguish which organizations are the most popular at Ohio University. My first assumption would be the Greek organizations, such as fraternities and sororities. While I have seen numerous flyers for these organizations, students are not pressured to be a part of them. The fastest way to make friends is to jump into a couple of organizations that you feel are interesting to you (they do not have to relate to your major) and volunteer for smaller groups within the team. Beginning with groups that you are already interested in will help students to branch into new networks without having to feel pressure to learn the entire history of an organization in two days. Finally there are some organizations that do require a level of academic experience prior to application. For example, some major related organizations require that students have been attending the University for 2-6 quarters before they can apply. This is because these organizations can have a highly intense introduction process, and do not want new freshman to risk academic standing because they are trying to adjust to a college lifstyle. While these requirements are mostly found in major-related organizations, it is wise to make sure that a student's schedule allows time for organizations. Joining a team is a big step because no matter how small your part in the team, you are a link that is relied upon to help perform the simplest of tasks and accomplish great things for your team. While it is exciting to reach out to others, make sure that you have the time to devote to an organization before you bite off more than you can chew.

Samantha

The most important event of the year at OU is Halloween. Each year, on the Saturday, the City of Athens throws the world's largest Halloween block party. We appear in The NY Times as well as our own local newspapers, The Post & The Athens Messenger. Court Street, the main uptown avenue, is closed to cars and becomes a stage-filled pedestrian wonderland, boasting a variety of local music groups, an annual Wiccan celebration & show on Halloween's origins, multiple food vendors, and events sponsored by national companies such as Budweiser. Many student organizations host events throughout the year, and trips. The Snowcats, our ski & snowboard club, has an annual trip that is increasingly popular. Athletic events remain forever important, particularly as we enjoy the success of one of the best football & men's basketball teams in the conference. Even our women's sports boast high attendance as they continue to be successful. Though Greek life is a part of OU campus life, most students aren't involved in sororities or fraternities. While the opportunity to join is there, and there are quite a few, I've never felt out of place because I didn't belong to one.

Roger

The campus at Ohio University has a very home-like feel. Students that go here, all have access to meet each other and interact through varies different student groups and organizations. Ohio University is home to over 350 student organizations that students can be a part of.

Alex

party on the weekend

Sandy

A good amount of people at Ohio are involved in Greek Life. Although I am not one for sororities, I joined Alpha Phi Omega which is a co-ed service fraternity, rather than a social fraternity. We did everything that sororities do, minus the hazing, large amounts of money they have to pay to be apart of the sorority, and the house. Students in dorm rooms almost always leave their doors open- especially freshman year. Sophomore year people have their group of friends for the most part, but they are still very open to meeting new friends, you just have to work a little harder (perhaps knocking on their door instead of just walking in). Athletic events are pretty popular, especially football games and men's basketball games. Those are the two we pride ourselves on the most. We have an AMAZING marching band that is very well known (Marching 110). There are always guest speakers/musicians/art exhibits happening on campus. I met my closest friends at precollege and in my classes. If I was awake on a Tuesday at 2am, I am either at the library, hanging out with some friends at my apartment, or getting ready to leave the bars. Each year, we have: Palmerfest, Mill Iron Fest, OakFest, Mill Fest, Halloween, "Five" fest (the number in quotations changes each year), etc. We also have different musical guests brought in, we have several job fairs, study abroad fairs, Formal/Informal rush for greek life, a day where every organization on campus sets up a table where students can walk by and learn about each one, etc. If you don't want to drink on a Saturday night, you can see one of the free movies offered at the new Baker Center in the theatre, you can go see a movie at the two movie theatres we have nearby, you can go to the bars and just order a water and hang out with your friends, you can go out to eat (Applebees, Ruby Tuesdays, many Chinese Restaurants, fast food, and of the bars, etc), go to Ping Center and work out/play basketball, etc. Off campus, we have a very SMALL shopping mall with several stores, we have a gigantic wal-mart, a kroger, a beautiful bike path (on and off campus), a golf course (on campus), art exhibits, etc... and, EASTON Shopping Center is only an hour away if you need to relieve some stress and get into a big city like Columbus :)

Will

Athens is a liberal haven. Full of old-time hippies who haven't accepted the modern world. Art Gish is a tool.

Valerie

There's always something to do. At precollege, I remember an upper classman explained that nobody's going to personally knock on your dorm door and ask you to come do things - but if you have some inititive you can meet a lot of fun people and have good times. Yes, people drink and socialize a lot at OU. However, some of my favorite memories don't include alcohol, like sledding down Jeff Hill in laundry baskets my freshman year.

Tracey

Lots to do!! Always something going on.

Tate

The social life Ohio as of my time 2004 - 2006 was somewhat nice but socially isolating. Becuase I much academic activities. I enjoy staying the Gladman' family at Tropicano. Matt Gladman helped to adjust to America life in Ohio. Many to his Mother Mrs Faye Gladman.

Michael

There is plenty to do at Ohio. Often times you will hear this line "There is nothing to do in Athens but drink" bullshit. There is plenty of stuff to do here. The university sponsers countless activities, not my thing but they are there. There is a cool local music scene at the various bars. When the weather is nice there are lots of outside things to do. On the weekends there are many house parties to go to as well as the six hundred bars up town. There is also a greek life scene, not as popular as people think, there is lots of other stuff to do.

annie

The most popular organizations on campus i belive is greek life. I, myself, am involved in greek life and i absolutely love it. I have met so many people through this activity and it has really helped me grow as a person. The dating scene is very prominant at Ohio. There are many oppurtunities to meet people. Many people like to party often because there are many oppurtunites for it, you just have to decide whether you want to go out or not. Last weekend i went out with some friends to some house parties. You can go to the mid-night movie if you do not want to drink or hang out with friends. there is really nothing to do off campus except go home.

Jenny

exciting

Emily

I can't say much about popular groups or organizations, dating, guest speakers or whatever. Sometimes I don't know when these are going on. There is always something going on though. The Hockey games are AMAZING! Football is so much fun, Marching 110 is...WOW!! The different groups brought to campus, RENT, Sara Evans, Ron Jeremy, are unfathomable to a freshman coming from a small high school. It's amazing to see how many different opportunities are out there to keep you busy. Fridays Live are fun and midnight movies at Baker are always great.

Pat

A lot of people party on weekends and even on weeknights! but that doesn't always mean that people have to drink.

Elisse

Students in dorms often leave their doors open. We have some really good guest speakers including political ones, such as Michelle Obama, and Bill Clinton. THere are a ton of concerts and really good plays also. THis year, Ron Jeremy was involved in a Porn debate here, and that was very popular with the students. There are definatly a lot of things that students are interested in, it's no longer high school where these taboo issues are covered up. I roomed with my best friend from high school, which turned out badly, i wouldn't recommend it, and now i moved in with someone who has become my best friend. I'm also friends with someone i met on the very first day of class fall quarter. I am usually awake until 2 am, i am not a morning person so i don't schedule early classes. I stay up late doing homework, reading, watching tv, movies, just hanging out. My earliest class has been at 10am. Some people party every day that they can, but some people never do. It all depends on who you hang out with and what your preferences are. Ping, the rec center, is a very popular place to be. There is a small bowling alley, a limited number of restaurants, the ice rink, swimming pool, bike path, movie theater, coffee shops, and a couple shops within walking distance. There is a walmart, and more restaurants in town if you can get a ride.

Rob

Students at OU are very social. Even in the 24 hour quiet study residence halls students have their doors open and socialize regularly. There are some great traditions like Green Games - where each floor can enter a team into competitions like 4-way volleyball, corn hole, banner and t-shirt making contests, and more to win glory and pride for their floor, building and green. There are free movies, bands and comedians at the University Center every weekend. The local music scene is fantastic. Songwriter JD Hutchinson lives here as does Jorma Kaukonen (Rock and Roll hall of fame inductee). Two local bands (Southeast Engine and Skeleton Witch) have been signed to record deals in the past couple of years. There is also an annual film festival and an annual music festival, of course the big Halloween Party, moms weekend is very popular, a spring literary festival, really just about anything you can think of.

Josh

Football and basketball are always popular. Even though it's a club sport, hockey is quite popular too. In my experience, a lot of people in dorms leave their doors open. In most places, probably almost everyone parties every week, however in True House it's not really that way. People go to the dances and different kinds of things.

Tate

Yeah I don't have a social life, again look at the major. I'm calling this the "what the school won't tell you" part. They have money issues. I don't understand how they can get that much money every year and still be in the red. I'm not impressed with any of the university administration (not my college, the university). I think they get paid way more than they should for all they do. They seem to invent new titles just so they can more pay, keeping the old title at the same time of course. Anyone of them gets well above what I could live off of and be happy. The cost of living here in Athens isn't that great, hell it's one of the 4 poorest counties in Ohio by average income and unemployment. They can't re-hire someone to fill a vacant spot for the old salary, it gets bumped by something ridiculus like 10,000.

Allison

Most students keep their dorm open, but it really depends on the students comfort level. I usually stay up late talking away with my best friends. We see movies, go to speakers, go dancing, go to concerts, have other friends visit, go bowling, do community service.

Ben

not a lot of things to do but were are in the middle of nowhere

Kat

There's definitely a drinking social life here, but there are TONS of other things to do, so even if you don't drink you'd never be bored. and culturally, this place is incredible! It's like a city in the number and variety of cultural experiences here.

Jenna

I'm somewhat involved with the Green Network and SDS. I've been a closet liberal for a long time and I'm just now starting to creep out and show my colors. I've always been a little scared of how especially my family would react to my being so Democratic. Athletic events are somewhat popular, guest speakers are awesome and many people go to see them and the theater could use a little publicity. My friends, I usually met at completely unexpected occasions in very unique ways lol. Frats and sororities are lame. Last weekend was mom's weekend and my mom and I went to the movies and searched for thrift stores. Off campus I usually just go home and am bored all the time or work.

Amanda

The social life is different I believe for everyone. I am an introvert and I don't get out much but I do know that even though parties occur, they only occur on the weekends. During the week students are focused on school. Most everyone here is pretty friendly and will comre right up to you and start talking or drag someone like me out of my room and force you to be social.

Ben

Drinking is the common link between most groups. Court St. is the main attraction in Athens.

Ryan

There are so many clubs on campus it's ridiculous. You are sure to find a club that you enjoy. There are signs advertising plenty of different activities and speakers. There are plenty of speakers on campus speaking about almost anything. There's a comedian every weekend. There is a lot more to do on campus than just going to parties and drinking but it requires you to look a little.

Hannah

Students are friendly, in the dorms we leave doors open and our hall becomes a home.

Leah

There are lots of things to do here. There is really almost any kind of social organization or club that one could think of here. As for myself, I'm in a swing dancing club, and I absolutely love it. It's really not that common, but they even have that here. They also have a medieval society. It's hard to not find something that you could really enjoy. Greek life here is also not essential to student life here, but as a member of a sorority, I enjoy being in one. Also, even if you're not in greek life or don't drink, there are plenty of other things to do. There is really something for everyone here.

Arushi

I feel like fraternaties are the most popular groups on campus. In our dorms, people do tend to leave their doors open so people can just pop in to say hi. That is actually how I happened to meet my closest friends. People tend to party only on the weekends and not on weekdays, because that could potentially affect their academics. On some nights, we like to go the free midnight movies at Baker or go to local shows by bands and groups in the area.

Zach

Dorm life is weird, but it has its ups anddowns. You can usually find someone to do something with whatever time it is, but at the same time that means people may be driving you nuts at all hours of the day and night

Christine

I am very involved with residence life as I am a resident assistant. Some students keep their doors open, not nearly as many as I wished did so however. I met some of my closest friends through reslife and in many of my classes. If I am awake at the wee hours of the morning ever, it is usually studying and writing lab reports. Sometimes on the weekends it may be for midnight movies, which are fairly popular and a good alternative to drinking. Relay for life is an important event that occurs every year and is a lot of fun.

Kevin

The most popular way to get involved on campus is inter mural sports. This helps get to know people and get active outdoors. With Ohio being a party school the most popular weekend activity is of course, partying. The people here are always nice. Most students only party on the weekends but the hardcore people can party everyday during Spring quarter. Spring quarter brings huge parties such as High Fest, Palmer Fest and Mill Fest. If you don't have fun here, you're not trying.

Justin

Intramurals are an enormous area for Social Life here at Ohio University. I have played in many different intramural sports and enjoyed every single one. Most students do not leave their door open in the Residence Halls. But, the students that do seem to be friendlier and overall more excited to meet new people. These students are the ones who I believe flourish more here at college than the others. Homecoming every year is always a very big deal. There is a parade, followed by the football game where everyone is always very energized, and the band brings back the alumni and puts on some of the best shows that I have ever seen a marching band perform. This is quite possibly one of the most impressive thing that I have seen in my time here at Ohio University. Last weekend I went to International Dance Night at a bar called Casa Nueva that involved international dance obviously. We also then played sand volleyball the next night at midnight. The courts were lit and it was a very good overall time.

Kat

I am involved in SDS, which is an awesome group of people just looking to make some changes on our campus. We've held protests and die-ins, and even a "Funk the War" dance party. I for one am not a drinker, and I don't party. I have an amazing group of friends and not of us party, we hang out together, watch movies, or go see a concert or play. On Friday nights we go up to Baker to go to Laughter After Dark, and also to see Bruce play beforehand. We chill at the Donkey a lot, it's my favorite coffee shop in town, and going to see Black Spyral Dancer is always a must. I met my friends in my dorm one night, they asked me if I wanted to play capture the flag, and it just went from there.

Brad

awesome

Steven

I don't know about the most popular organizations on campus, but I am a lighting technician for the Lost Flamingo Company, the student-run theater group. We do 3-5 plays each quarter, and the community is great. I try to attend most of the plays, including the ones done by the school of theater, and my friends and I regularly go to lectures from guest speakers. Dorm life is also good. I found it very easy to make friends with the people in my building because of the common study room on our floor; everyone just congregated there the first week to hang out and we've been doing it ever since. It could just be luck, but many of the people on my floor have a similar major to mine and we all share many common interests, particularly writing. We watch movies and go on long walks on the weekends, but school is important to all of us (especially the scholarships that keep it affordable) and a lot of us take classes and study together. Partying depends on the people. I don't do it, and neither do my friends, but my roommate and his friends do. None of us hold any grudge against the other, we just don't hang out much on the weekends.

Jon

I don't know what the most popular groups are, but I think the fans at sports do well, it's called the Green Zone I think. Difficult Dialogues is a group that discusses the issues, such as religion, race, gender, sexuality, and whatnot. Some students leave their doors open, some don't. Athletic events are popular. My friends and I like to go to guest speakers and plays, so I think those do well too. I'm not in the dating scene, so I can't tell you. Thanks for asking. I met my closest friends by living with them. At 2am, I am either on the computer or talking to a friend. I don't know what traditions go on each year, I think there are classes though. I don't party, but I think other people party every day or something. I'm not in a frat, but I think they think they're important. Last weekend was full of drama, but we did walk to Wal-Mart. On a Saturday night you can watch movies, go out to eat, and run around campus like hooligans. I don't really go off campus much, but I think there's some shopping.

Rachel

I was really surprised by how many people I met that didn't drink. If you don't drink, there are still so many things to do. My favorite thing to do is go to the Front Room in Baker Center every Friday night. I play board games with my friends and listen to the musicians playing until midnight, when a professional comedian performs. It's always a great way to end the week and start the weekend. Also, there are always performances and concerts and plays and speakers that actually have interesting things to say.

Mike

It's fun here, that's almost all I can say. My friends and I are hardly ever bored, because there's always a comedy show to go to, a movie to see, a concert to rock out at, or just some trouble to get into in the crazy culture of Athens.

emily

Crazy parties, always.

Nico

I'm most involved with Difficult Dialogues and Lost Flamingo Company. DD is about the issues, and we kind of just talk about different people and beliefs. LFC is a student-run drama organization, and we're pretty sweet. Students often leave their doors open. I like guest speakers and theater, so I suppose they are popular. I'm not in the dating scene at the moment, thanks for asking. I live with my closest friends. At 2 am I'm either on the computer or talking to one or two of my friends. People party everyday, but I haven't really yet. I don't know how important frats are, I'm not in one. Last weekend was dramatic, don't ask. We did walk to Wal-mart though. Saturdays are usually movie-filled, going out to eat, seeing a play, or just running around like hooligans. I don't do much off campus, but there is some shopping.

Alena

I met my closest friends because they are in the same dorm as I am. I enjoy hanging out with them through going to movies, out for food, parties, and hanging around the dorm eating pizza.

Krista

Partying is a big thing at Ohio University, we're not one of the top party schools for nothing, however people don't realize that not all students are partiers. I can't tell you how tired I get of having to explain that to people. I always get, "Oh, did you go there so you could just party?" NO! While some partying is good and fine, I think that most students realize that they're really here for the academics and take a partying on the side.

Sydney

Fraternities and sororites in general are not that important on campus. They are not a dominant force. But in the Black community, many, if not most, are sorority/fraternity affiliated. Everyone has a friend who is a Delta, a Kappa, a Sigma, or a Que.

robert

very nice and kids leave their doors open