Within the past two weeks, JMU got named the "No. 1 American college with students looking for hookups." How are we supposed to respond to that? Give ourselves a big pat on the back, clap for ourselves, encourage that on this campus? Yikes. Not necessarily how I would, or did, react to this statement.
Instead, it honestly insulted me. Why do we want our school to be known as that? That is not at all what JMU is about, or all that JMU has to offer to their students. Yes, it is known for our school to be a huge party school, and yes, that will most likely lead to inevitable hookups coming out of going to those parties.
However, my argument is that we are more than that. My argument is that we are more than what people see and hear about us. Because of the huge reputation of JMU being "a party school," I almost didn't apply here. Just a few weeks ago over Halloween weekend, I was walking out of my dorm with my suitcase in hand, ready to leave for the weekend. As I walked out, I got asked the question: "You realize it is Halloweekened at JMU, right?"
Yeah, I got it. Sorry, I don't party, and I go to JMU. Yes, there are people like that. This needs to be known. This needs to be recognized.
That community, the community that is equally as large of a community that the party scene is, that is why I came to JMU.
When I was applying to schools, my wise, wise mother told me some of the best advice that landed me where I am now. She told me that "college is what we make of it. If we want it to be a party school, we can make it one. If we don't, that is OK and is completely up to ourselves."
That was some of the best advice I have ever gotten, because it helped me clear the fog that was over my eyes when I was looking at schools, and helped me find my place when I got here.
If you want to party, come to JMU. It's not a lie that you will find parties. If you don't want to party, please still come to JMU, because we have so much more to offer. You don't have to party. You don't have to drink. You don't have to be "looking for hookups".
Honestly, I don't even know where I would begin to look if I tried to find a party here. That is how easy it is to stay away from the party scene if you don't want it.
JMU is full of a community of people who would rather seek friendship and fellowship than go out and hook up.
Long story short, the reason I was insulted when hearing the "award" we received is because JMU is more than alcohol, and it is more than this "hookup culture," and we shouldn't be the only ones to recognize that.
