Gonzaga University Top Questions

There are LOTS of ways to get involved. There are a lot of sports teams and even more inter mural teams that are constantly active. There are clubs and organizations in just about every aspect of interest, and if there isn't one, it is easy and encouraged to start your own. Basketball is huge, both the men and womens teams are known for their outstanding performances.

Social life on the weekends is synonymous with alcohol. Most students complain of having limited activities on the weekend. I would say this is only a problem during the winter months when it gets too cold to do activities outside

I was surprised that not that many people drink on campus, but there definitely is a social scene there is hella bomb shit to do though!! and hella ways to get involved

There are many popular organizations on campus, as I stated before. Those are some of the most prominent organizations on campus, but there are many others, as well as intramural and club sports teams and other such activities. Our most popular TEAM on campus would undoubtedly be our basketball team. Basketball at Gonzaga is part of the culture. If you don't like basketball, good luck surviving at Gonzaga (haha, joking). But seriously, the games bring the entire Gonzaga community together as one, and that is an AWESOME thing to see. Most of the students in the dorms leave their doors open so that people can come in and out and visit with each other. It is a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. Overall, I would have to say that the residence halls on campus are awesome places to live, because each one has its own personality and they are all very fun places to be. If you're awake at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday, odds are someone else is awake and is willing to have a random late-night philosophical conversation with you or something. I am definitely a night owl, and often find myself up late at night, but I am never awake by myself - there are always other night owls roaming around. It's pretty great. The party/drinking scene at Gonzaga is up for debate. Some people would say that it is pretty prevalent on campus, while others would say it's not really a big deal. I don't think it's really that HUGE of an element on campus, but I would be lying if I said that it didn't happen at all. Fraternities and sororities don't exist at Gonzaga (besides Alpha Kappa Psi, our business fraternity, and a couple other academic fraternities), however, we have an organization called Knights and Setons which is probably the closest thing to a fraternity/sorority. There is a huge brotherhood/sisterhood that occurs with Knights and Setons, so it is fraternity/sorority-esque, but the students don't live together in a designated house or anything, and they are big on philanthropy. There is SO much to do on a Saturday night that doesn't involve drinking, it's pretty insane. I would know, as I do just that, every weekend. I generally prefer to have Boggle game competitions with my friends, but we're nerds. Haha. Just trust me when I say that there is a TON of stuff to do on campus that doesn't involve drinking, and that's awesome! Like I said before, there is always so much to do on campus, that leaving campus isn't required much, if at all. However, if you DO want to venture off of campus, the main downtown area is only a 15-20 minute walk away, and there is a trail called "Centennial Trail" that takes you directly from campus to downtown on a very scenic route by the Spokane River. It's really nice. There is a fair amount to see downtown, and we often have Broadway plays come to Spokane. That is a huge draw for students, as well as good bands/performers that come play at some of the venues downtown. But, for the most part, students prefer to hang out on campus.

Athletics is big at GU. Our intermurals are through the roof, and I can almost guarantee that you'll know someone who is on a varsity team. Personally, I know probably a dozen. Students are pretty open within dorms, but it's difficult to make friends at first outside your dorm. You'll get over that, but it's still true. Also, as you become an upperclassman, you'll notice that you actually know everyone and, moreover, everyone knows each other. People you think didn't know each other will have been friends for three and a half years when you introduce them. Spokane is a 'make your own fun' kind of place. Downtown is within walking distance, but there's not much other than that. There are no frats but that does not mean there is no drinking. There's lots of drinking, alcohol and coffee. GU does a pretty good job of having something going on at least every other weekend or so that you can do if you don't want to party all the time. Last weekend, I went to a GUTS (Gonzaga University Theater Sports) show, where some of my friends did improv for two hours. Also, I volunteered at a wheelchair track meet in Pasco, and slept. There is lots to do, but you can't be passive about it.

The most popular clubs seem to be the service clubs. Basketball games and guest lecture events are always really well attended (with basketball being the most popular). There is a group called GUTs, which does improv. They are also really popular. I met my closest friends freshman and sophomore year, and in my classes, but past that it can be kind of difficult to meet new people, since it seems like everybody finds their group and stays friends throughout. There are not many options in the dating sector, since it is such a small school. People party all of the time, actually. The entire last month of school is dedicated to senior partying, and there are designated senior events such as the senior ball, boat cruise, line dancing, pizza night, bowling night, etc. It is pretty important (almost too important) to a lot of people here. However, there are also many people who just do it for fun, and don't take it so seriously. We don't have Greek life, but that does not stop people from doing service or having a good time. If you don't like to drink, however, that is not really a big problem, and the University actually sponsors a lot of weekend events and other events that do not involve alchohol. Downtown Spokane is also about a 15 minute walk away, and there are a lot of restaurants/ movie theatres, etc. down there.

Again- as a distance degree student this question does not apply to me.

Students leave their doors open in dorms for the most part and there are social events that different halls put on throughout the year. Basketball games are the most popular athletic event here which is always the most exciting time of the year. I met my closest friends freshmen year because they were my dormmates and we have lived together ever since. If I'm up very late into the night it is usually because I am doing homework. There are senior events that happen each year as well as some freshmen initiation events as well which are a lot of fun. People party the most on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, but it is just as easy to not party as it is to find a party to go to. Fraternities and sorities are not a part of the Gonzaga life because we are about establishing a bigger community and not segregating people. People often go out to eat, to the mall or to see if a movie if they are not into drinking.

Spokane nightlife is almost nonexistent, so if you like to party on the weekends you are limited to house parties or the few bars around campus. The bars by campus are great - it isn't really a pickup scene because everyone there already knows each other. It's like being in Crosby (the student center) with alcohol.

CCASL is the way to go. Community service and social justice will help open your eyes to the world and change your life forever.