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General Ohio University Discussion/Alumni Events

Topic: Documentary on OU party scene

Topic: Documentary on OU party scene

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Alan Swank
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Member Since: 12/11/2004
Location: Athens, OH
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Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/24/2015 8:21:18 AM

Yikes! I sure hope this isn't the new commercial that's shown during halftime of tonight's game. Quote from my daughter - "if I was a parent and saw this, there's now way in (you know what) my kid's going to OU."

http://fusion.net/video/235080/when-you-went-to-college-i... /

Last Edited: 11/24/2015 8:25:11 AM by Alan Swank

GoCats105
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Member Since: 1/31/2006
Location: Seattle, WA
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/24/2015 8:30:06 AM

I liked to party while I was at OU, but the last quote from that woman who says "if you're not going out, you've got nothing to do" is so overblown. That makes OU sound like a vast wasteland of empty beer cans and people laying in pools of their own vomit.

Toast
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Member Since: 3/11/2015
Location: Athens, OH
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/24/2015 9:08:59 AM

This is so full of info about OU football. What a great article.

Ohio University-the original OU

shabamon
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Member Since: 11/17/2006
Location: Cincinnati
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/24/2015 9:53:57 AM

GoCats105 wrote:

Co-sign

Whomever that quote is from is lazy. Take a look at any other rural college town school that does not have the party reputation we have. Ask those students what they do for fun. Okay, are those activities not available in Athens?

I hope this is a fair documentary and not some "Blackfish" crap.

OU_Country
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Member Since: 12/6/2005
Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/24/2015 10:18:13 AM

shabamon wrote:

GoCats105 wrote:

I agree with this so much that I'll admit that I was partly that sort of student, in that on the weekends, party was all I did if I wasn't going to an OU basketball/hockey/football/baseball game.

Frankly, one of my largest regrets is that I didn't take advantage of all the other things there are to do on campus in terms of music, arts, and the outdoors. As an alum, I now spend my time catching up on the outdoors part of it every chance I get when in Athens.

Bobcatbob
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Member Since: 12/21/2004
Location: Coolville, OH
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/24/2015 1:49:33 PM

It won't come as a surprise to anyone who is remotely familiar with OU (or considering their child's future there) that Athens has a reputation as a party town. This is not the first time that we've faced the "party school" publicity issue.

Yet, enrollment grows, the academic reputation is sustained and endowments are increased.

Most importantly, perhaps, every alum I know wants their kids to go here, too.

Lande71
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Member Since: 9/19/2010
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/24/2015 3:20:31 PM

Right on Alan with your daughter's comment! Retired as a H.S. educator, I saw "many" instances when our local kids had an interest in going to Ohio only to get shot down by the statement "OU's too big a party school". The guidance counselor even steered them away. Always made me angry. However, if I as a parent would see the segment shown, I would probably say the same thing as your daughter. I drove around on Sat. Night after the HC game (Palmer St. Area) and was amazed at the magnitude of the partying. I have always defended my school and said it wasn't any different than any other school. Based on seeing first hand, I think I have been wrong. The magnitude has changed since I was there. The worst part is we toot our own horn so much. Greatest thing is to be #1 party school, etc. we hurting ourselves so much imho. Is it any wonder the administration has had to come out with policy fighting alcohol on campus? Is it any wonder they are against alcohol at sporting events, etc. Can't blame them. I didn't watch anything more than was shown. I really don't want to watch the whole documentary, seen enough!

perimeterpost
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Member Since: 7/6/2010
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/24/2015 4:12:53 PM

The behavior of Ohio's undergrads is no different than the behavior of undergrads on nearly every college campus across the country. What sets OU apart is the VIBE. There are no strangers at Ohio, only friends you have yet to meet. When undergrads from other schools visit Athens they lose their minds and go crazy because they aren't used to this kind of social inclusiveness. At least that's what the vibe was like when I was on campus, many moons ago.

MY STATE. MY TEAM.

cbus cat fan
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Member Since: 12/2/2011
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/24/2015 4:58:21 PM

Athens has a lot of bars compared to other college towns where there are more fraternities and sororities than at Ohio University. In addition, many other college towns have a far different history, especially those in other states. For example, for most of the 70s and part of the 80s, Ohio had age 18 drinking law for 3.2 beer. Once that was gone, the law was replaced with a 19 age limit and finally the current 21 age law.

Athens also being in southeast Ohio was far from the long arm of the law. For example, it wasn't until the early 80s that law enforcement descended upon Athens. When I was a student in the 80s, I was told it was pretty much a free for all in the 70s.

Hence, the party reputation which gives the school a bad name, when it reality the drinking is just more open in Athens due to the bars. I am told that other college towns have a more underground drinking scene. Having been to Oxford and Bowling Green for a few road games and to the UD ghetto in Dayton (which looks pretty upscale now) there were no shortages of parties. Anyone who has attended St. Patrick's Day at UD must be shaking their heads as to why Athens gets such a bad reputation. I am not sure about the other college towns, but I am guessing that is pretty much the case everywhere.

shabamon
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Location: Cincinnati
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/24/2015 7:53:46 PM

Bowling Green has a bigger (and better) bar scene than Athens.

Obc2
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Location: Cincinnati, OH
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/24/2015 8:52:24 PM

I must admit I credit social scene on campus and Court St for my ability to work a room, and to a slightly lesser extent to interview well. I grew and matured up there, and I credit that experience for the fact I've only not been offered jobs after interviewing once in 23 years after graduation.

RPO R6V
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/24/2015 9:17:15 PM

shabamon wrote:

Bowling Green has a bigger (and better) bar scene than Athens.

No. Not bigger or better.

OUbobcat9092
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Location: Fairfax, VA
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/24/2015 10:14:16 PM

RPO R6V wrote:

shabamon wrote:

Bowling Green has a bigger (and better) bar scene than Athens.

No. Not bigger or better.

Nope, no way...

Bring Back Men's Track & Field

OhioStunter
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Location: Chicago
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/25/2015 12:15:21 AM

I actually watched this documentary and found it surprisingly good from a journalistic standpoint -- views from different perspectives. Students, sober club, APD, EMS were all represented. They even followed a football player around.

While accurate and not as sensational as some reality shows, it is cringe-worthy in many places.

A lot was covered in 60 minutes. I'd recommend it to give a perspective of what life is like in Athens nowadays.

Alan Swank
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Location: Athens, OH
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/25/2015 9:53:51 AM

OhioStunter wrote:

Where did you see it? I've searched high and low and can't find the full episode. If you can, please provide a link.

89Cat
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/25/2015 1:27:08 PM

The documentary was shown on Fusion last night at 9:00pm. Not sure where you can find it online. I DVRd it and watched it after the game. It wasn't as slanted as I thought it would be. (Fusion is a very liberal network)

As Alums and and a parents of a recent Alum and parents of a current student, My wife and I can say it was pretty accurate. With all We know of the party scene in Athens , We still sent our daughters there. (OUr love for OU may have had something to do with that)

As a former recruiter for one of the largest employers in Columbus, I can say with out any doubt that the party school image does tarnish our degrees. As much as I like to think it doesn't, I spoke with hiring manager after hiring manager that would not even look at OU grads for that reason. We all know it was their loss, but why should our diploma be worth less because of myths and legends.

OhioStunter
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Member Since: 2/18/2005
Location: Chicago
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/25/2015 6:07:56 PM

89Cat wrote:

As a former recruiter for one of the largest employers in Columbus, I can say with out any doubt that the party school image does tarnish our degrees. As much as I like to think it doesn't, I spoke with hiring manager after hiring manager that would not even look at OU grads for that reason. We all know it was their loss, but why should our diploma be worth less because of myths and legends.

I'm sure you'd agree with me, but that is incredibly short-sighted on the part of the hiring managers. That is not the case in Chicago.

OhioStunter
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Location: Chicago
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/25/2015 6:11:13 PM

Alan Swank wrote:

OhioStunter wrote:

Where did you see it? I've searched high and low and can't find the full episode. If you can, please provide a link.

I looked online too and could only find an 8 minute video summary. But I searched cable and it is on at noon CT Friday and 11:30 a.m. CT Saturday on Fusion. Be prepared to be really embarrassed by some of the students included.

shabamon
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Location: Cincinnati
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/25/2015 10:10:50 PM

I just finished watching. They picked a few real airheads to follow around, but I would venture to guess they aren't that far from average party-going students at OU.

The only really interesting part for me was the sober club. They were the only individuals interviewed where I fully understood and respected their motivations. I was not impressed from journalistic point of view. I think Fusion interviewers could've asked much more challenging questions from their subjects. I feel like they crammed what should have been 2-2.5 hours of content into one hour.

To go back to my earlier post, I still think it's incredibly lazy to think there's nothing to do in Athens outside of partying. However, if a student were to say they party because they feel they have to in order to be in on the social scene... yeah, I can understand that.

Also, really weak on OU Administration for declining comment. People like Jenny Hall Jones and Terry Koons are experts in their fields and can speak firsthand about this issue. They could have provided very insightful information as well as positive PR for the university.

Last Edited: 11/25/2015 10:27:12 PM by shabamon

shabamon
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Location: Cincinnati
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/25/2015 10:14:31 PM

OUbobcat9092 wrote:

RPO R6V wrote:

shabamon wrote:

Bowling Green has a bigger (and better) bar scene than Athens.

No. Not bigger or better.

Nope, no way...

One man's opinion. I tried to count the number of bars in walking distance from Ohio's campus and I got to 20 including places like Cider House, BW3, Smiling Skull. BG seems to me more numerous and more varied than Athens.

TWT
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Location: Alexandria, VA
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/26/2015 2:02:18 AM

89Cat wrote:

That's fine. I refuse to date anyone who graduated from OSU. One time I didn't know it immediately but she was arrogant from the start. A former HS cheerleader and Dad was a football coach so all she ever had was her own way.A self declared big buckeye who didn't think OSU could ever lose. OSU attracts very few intellectual types to its campus.

Most Memorable Bobcat Events Attended
2010 97-83 win over Georgetown in NCAA 1st round
2012 45-13 victory over ULM in the Independence Bowl
2015 34-3 drubbing of Miami @ Peden front of 25,086

TWT
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Location: Alexandria, VA
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/26/2015 2:48:22 AM

Lande71 wrote:

Based on seeing first hand, I think I have been wrong. The magnitude has changed since I was there. The worst part is we toot our own horn so much. Greatest thing is to be #1 party school, etc. we hurting ourselves so much imho. Is it any wonder the administration has had to come out with policy fighting alcohol on campus? Is it any wonder they are against alcohol at sporting events, etc. Can't blame them. I didn't watch anything more than was shown. I really don't want to watch the whole documentary, seen enough!

I can tell you where the party school culture comes from. Its from the merchants uptown selling souvenirs and street side food vendors. Combined with the graveyards in town Athens feels like a piece of the French Quarter. The corner where the campus meets uptown its T-Shirt shops on 3 sides of the intersection. It projects a vacation atmosphere. Green and White are St. Patrick's Day colors. Outside of the courthouse, jail and 1 bank there is no commerce uptown. The city has added to the problem by allowing more student housing uptown and more density in the Mill Street corridor. Its local business interests that are pushing for it. The students are a captive audience to the party environment they've created.

Most Memorable Bobcat Events Attended
2010 97-83 win over Georgetown in NCAA 1st round
2012 45-13 victory over ULM in the Independence Bowl
2015 34-3 drubbing of Miami @ Peden front of 25,086

TWT
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Location: Alexandria, VA
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RE: Documentary on OU party scene

Posted: 11/26/2015 3:39:14 AM

shabamon wrote:

OUbobcat9092 wrote:

RPO R6V wrote:

shabamon wrote:

Bowling Green has a bigger (and better) bar scene than Athens.

No. Not bigger or better.

Nope, no way...

Think about someone who doesn't understand the scene in Athens. The first thing they'll say is "It has a lot of bars I bet!" The bars are outside of 11pm in the background in Athens. Its the constant student traffic between neighborhoods to go to parties and lines outside of Goodfella's and the Burrito Buggy. BG's uptown only partially caters to the college community and is county seat of a county with 125,000 people. Main St in BG isn't in the middle of campus and student housing areas as you find with Court St. In most neighborhoods of the town the college has zero presence. That can only be said of the Far East side in Athens.

Most Memorable Bobcat Events Attended
2010 97-83 win over Georgetown in NCAA 1st round
2012 45-13 victory over ULM in the Independence Bowl
2015 34-3 drubbing of Miami @ Peden front of 25,086

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