The typical response upon telling someone that you attend Central Michigan University is usually related to a stale, overused joke about your alcohol consumption or perhaps how CMU is known as a party school. These worn-out comments may be used a little more frequently after this year's Welcome Weekend celebrations. After the partying had died down, the Mount Pleasant Police Department released a statement regarding the surprisingly high number of citations and arrests.
A whopping total number of 192 people were cited for a variety of reasons including 56 minors in possession of alcohol, five disorderly conducts, two nuisance party-attending, nine for nuisance party-hosting, 107 open intoxicants, one for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, two for possession of drugs, seven for resisting and obstructing an arrest, one for retail fraud, and two warrant arrests.
The press release was instantly shared across multiple social media platforms and was broadcasted on many different news stations. The infamous Total Frat Move even posted an article about how, "Mt. Pleasant was anything but this past weekend as Central Michigan University’s campus transformed itself into a theater of absolute debauchery."
What all of these accounts failed to mention is the fact that the majority of citations and arrests weren't even CMU students. These news stories are practically holding students accountable for the chaos caused by others and are ultimately adding to the party school stereotype that Central has. This is extremely frustrating for Central Michigan's students and staff who go above and beyond to put their stamp on the world. People need to look past this label and recognize CMU's accomplishments and extraordinary volunteer service.
Central Michigan University's Life on Campus page highlights all of the amazing work that students do. With nearly 400 student organizations to get involved in, Mt. Pleasant is the perfect place to become a leader and make connections. Central also has amazing leadership opportunities that range from the CMU Leadership Institute and Leadership Safari to earning a leadership minor to accompany a degree. By simply taking a look at CMU's Dean's List, you can see that students take their education seriously and put studies first. While there may have been almost 200 citations or arrests, over 12,000 students volunteer each year. Where is the recognition and national attention for the volunteers of Central? Where are the news stories for the leaders of Central?
Chippewas may like to fire up, but we also know how to keep our priorities straight and give back. Students contribute to not only the local community but the world as well while maintaining grades and earning a degree. The atmosphere of Mt. Pleasant is like no other, and outsiders need to appreciate that Central Michigan University is known for so much more than just being a "party school."
