University of Missouri-Columbia Top Questions

The Mizzou Greek system is one of the largest sources of charity I have ever seen. We have one of the largest blood drives in the country, organize countless food drives and other service events, and support countless individual philanthropies. Anyone that believes all Greeks party all day and don't care about their classes should stop watching "Animal House" and take a look at how much money, awareness and service hours Mizzou Greek students have raised in the past year alone. At the same time, I am in a sorority and many of my close friends are non-Greeks. While being Greek is a very enriching part of my life and a large population on Mizzou's campus, it is not essential. Another amazing experience at Mizzou is the numerous football games. We have one of the most amazing fan bases I have ever been involved in. People sit in the rain and snow to cheer on the Tigers every Fall semester. No matter what the teams' record, current and past Tigers hold that team close our hearts and will always root for a Tiger win.

Mizzou has a strong greek system that I am proud to be a part of but many greeks are involved outside their chapters as well. There sometimes seems to be a line between greek and non-greek students, but if you get involved around campus your opinion will change about the group oppositie of yourself. There are hundreds of clubs to become a part of, and if there isn't something you're interested in it is easy to start a club on your own. Sporting events are enjoyed by all types of students, the atmosphere is amazing! As with any college campus alcohol is readily available, but that does not always come with pressure of drinking. It is up to you what you want to do with your weekend, whether that includes drinking or not you will always have something to do.

Plenty of social opportunities, from seeing a movie at the RagTag Cinemacafe, to going to a party or hitting the bars, to ping pong at the International Church on University.

The most popular groups are the intramural sports on campus. Greek life is an event in itself. Its a very structure way to meet people and party. The dance clubs are robust and lively. The hipster culture is definitely represented. I was in the ballroom, debate, and latin dance club. My most fun is in Latin Dance Club. The Blue Fugue and Spanish Fly were hot places to dance and my best memories were at the Blue Fugue. Dorm room doors are open, but the newer buildings are designed like apartments. It makes hard to meet people in those new ones. Football and basketball games are of the Mizzou culture. Its very popular. Guest speakers do come out and speak. For example when I was there I got a chance to see Brad Pitt present Up the River during the 2004 Presidential Election. The dating scene is high school times 20,000. There is opportunities to meet, but a common frustration is the Greek Life provides exclusive access to them. Outside of greek life, its a bit of learning to cultivate skills to meet people, build confidence through hobbies and groups, and declare your "major" when you interested in somebody. All my closest friends are from my college dorm and my Mexico study aboard experience. I am doing a paper or coming home from work on Tuesday 2:00 am moment. Every year is there is the Big Free. Its big free concert for everyone. it's one of the better events. I saw Jurassic 5 last time. People party often. Business majors typically do not have classes on Fridays. So their weekend starts on Thursday night. East campus, the residential area adjutant to the campus, has parties all across the area. Bear Field, Jefferson Commons, and Clark Ave, are the common party scenes. Frats and Sororities are important, but are not the necessary. Dorms provide the structure for people to meet, then there are hobbies, and finally, xbox live. Saturday nights without drinking met dancing (latin), movies, craft/massage/arts night. Mizzou at night was another, it's activities for non-drinking crowd, like at the Rec Center, Redbull may do a obstacle course event. Off campus I go to the Artisan, a coffee house for coffee and talking, mojos for local music, blue fugue for dancing, and the Diner for the Stretch, eggs, hasbrowns, onions and peppers.

Dorms are leaning away from the traditional tenement-like, two-to-a-room-with-a-community-bathroom-type dorm, and more towards the extravagant suite style, single bedroom dorms. This will no doubt lead to less socializing in dorms but I suppose could be "nicer" (if that's your sort of thing). Many students leave the campus/downtown area to move into homes that resemble suburbs, and inevitably drive to school so they can complain to their friends about the lack of ample parking near campus (that's true). Greek life exists, it is an easy access pass to involvement at MU if you want it. Most people are not involved in Greek Life and it does not feel like you have to be Greek to be involved. Many student leaders are not Greek, and many Greeks do not fit stereotypical molds of what one expects (though of course some do). Finding friends and partners depends on your style. Some happen in class, others in activities, and some at bars. With a list of the bars one frequents, an idea of who you are will emerge. Some of my favorites were Addison's, Booches, and Columbia's best dive, Snapper's. There is a very active bar scene on the weekend and it is wonderful. Mizzou is definitely a beer school where it's most popular sports are flip-cup and beer pong. If drinking is not your thing or your legal age, there is Mizzou After Dark which has different activities, free games, free food and beverages. There is also a twice a week film series where movies are shown for free or 1 dollar at Memorial Union. There is a great independent theatre downtown called Ragtag Cinema Cafe. Columbia hosts a couple of festivals during the academic year including "Roots and Blues Festival", 9th St. Summerfest (free outdoor concerts), Twilight Thursdays, and one of the best Earth Day festivals there is. Perhaps the best thing I have not listed that many at MU applaud is the Rec Center. Olympic sized swimming pool (Michael Phelps beat a world record there in 2007 at some qualifying event) and diving pool, 8 basketball courts, 4 racquetball courts, free weight room and machine weight room, plenty of cardio machines with personal tv's and some with dvd players too, and an outdoor pool where plenty go in the late spring and early fall to flirt and suntan.

Students participate in evening intramural sports in the spring at Stankowski Field.

I don't know that Mizzou has a certain set of most popular groups/organizations/clubs/teams. Mizzou Spirit (football, basketball, etc.) and True Tiger (student alumni association). Greek Life is also prominent. Students tend to leave their residence halls doors open unless they are doors which automatically shut. Athletics events are very popular, especially football. Basketball is somewhat well attended. Volleyball and baseball are also popular. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are clearly sanctioned party nights, with Wednesday being somewhat ambiguous. Greek Life is significant, but not indispensable.

The most popular groups on campus are usually the Greek community and sports teams (mainly football and basketball)! I am in a sorority so that keeps me busy. I'm volunteering my time always to do something whether it be for the community, campus, or for other organizations! When I lived in the dorms (Graham) we left our door open quite often as did many of the other students. However, I don't think as many people leave their doors open anymore! Athletic events are HUGE here! Football and basketball games are always crowded for the most part...its basically a big socal gathering! I feel sports are something that brings a diverse group of people out compared to theatre and guest speakers which are usually focused on a specific group of people! Dating is also huge here! Many people come in with a boyfriend/girlfriend and end up breaking up b/c of long distance or they have a larger selection to choose from here! Many don't come in with b/f or g/f because they know there's a larger selection! Many people date on campus and end up dating a variety of people while here! Some even end up finding the person they are going to marry while in college! I have met my best friend in college as well as my boyfriend! I met my best friend in the Nursing community last year and we just hit it off! Both of our roommates moved away after last year, which gave us a chance to become even closer to which we found out we have a lot of things in common! People are always partying it seems like! Most of the time people "hang out" Thurs.-Sat. evenings! If I leave campus I usually go out to eat, go to the movies, or go to the mall! I feel that fraternities/sororties can be very important to those who participate in them! I agree that they are not for everyone, but some people definitely benefit from being in them! Many make friends they never would have if they didn't join or they gain experiences they might not have otherwise!

The Greek system is very popular. Students that live in dorms will open their doors if they don't live in suites. Again, it all depends on the people though. Athletic events are popular. We get the occasional good guest speaker. The dating scene is the typical college dating scene. Traditions...football season, homecoming, E week. I went to a movie, to the Berg, to a club, and to the library (woo hoo). The university provides a lot of alternatives to go out and drinking on the weekend. Movies, performances.

I am not involved with any groups or organizations, but the ones i see the most would be fraternities and sororities. people in band or football. Things like that.