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The schools' social scene can be a bit disappointing for lowerclassman.
Because the University does not allow Fraternity and Sorority houses,
and most of the upperclassman live not within walking distance of the
campus, freshman and sophomores are relent to playing drinking games in
their rooms with other people on the hall (if they can sneak the bear
past the watchful RA's). However, if they do go to parties it is
probably at the one place that at Villanova is synonymous with PARTY.
This place is called The Courts and it is an apartment complex where
everybody who is everybody gathers. If Fraternities and Sororities do
have an "unofficial house" is is almost definitley in one of these
apartments, and all Villanova students know of the Courts. The problem
witht eh Courts is that it is about a 10-15 minute walk from campus and
hard to get to without a car. Most students rely on getting rides, and
some walk, but its location and the fact that only upperclassmen live
there, the lower calssman usually don't find out about these parties
until the day after. Also, do to the fact that there are no Greek
Houses, most of the Villanova students hang at the local bars- and
ususally everyday of the week is associated with a different bar.
Needless to say the lowerclassmen who have the most fun, are the ones
with the good Fake ID's. Student favorites inclide the Brick BAr, The
Onion, Brownie's (Happy Hour on Friday), and everyone's all time
favorite- THe PUB (a/k/a Erin's). The bartender Martin is a local
legend and is always inviting student regulars to guest bartend and the
like.
THe Greek system is alive and well at Villanova's campus, but it
lacks a certain something that schools were the entire group lives
together have. In the system there are many clicks and groups and
sometimes it feels really false calling these people who you only see at
weekly meetings "sisters." It was my impression that the fraternity
sustem overall had a more independent program, took less pledges at
atime, and overall fraternities appeared to be closer than the
sororities. However, it is the frats and sororities that are
responsible for throwingt he parties (especially at THe Courts) so many
people end up rushing.
The University has tried to sponser "social events", such as a dry
formal event, etc, but these never seem to go over. Once again, the
Villanova community relies on its Greeks to provide much of the social
atmosphere. They thow the parties, they have the formals, they host
Greek Week andt he talent shows. The University main contribution is an
all day event called Balloon Day which is one of the best days on
campus. It is a time where all the different organizations have booths
and hold different events 9etc, face painting, pie throwing, etc) It is
held in the Spring and everyone hangs out on campus (no one goes to
class this day)and it is truely a Student favorite. Also, the
University's campus ministry is responsible fro putiing together HAbitat
for Humanity trips. Students go all over the country and build homes
for people who can't afford to buy their own. This experience is
something that many Villanovans particiapte in and one that is richly
rewarding.
Furthermore, Villanova's social scene is only enhanced by being in
the shadow of Philadelphia/ Students often go into the city for the day
or the night, to bars, to SOuth Street (Phillys answer to GReenwhich
Village in NYC).
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