Indiana University student culture

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I have two kids there too. They love it and I am anticipating a 3rd there shortly. Neither of mine are greek and have found their own crowd independent of each other. One in Kelley and one doing a International Relations and foreign language (which is one of the specialties which I didn't know). Both have had great classes. Kids are studious or at least the crowds my kids are in. Lots of kids from IN and IL but also plenty of OOS. Travel is really easy. One of the hotels has a shuttle from the airport hourly which most of the kids grab. Mine also go home with friends on breaks or weekend which is nice also.

Bloomington is a great college town. A ton to do for everyone and the campus is definitely one of the most beautiful around. It can be a party school or it isn't. I will tell you that the fakes DO NOT work more most of the college bars. Huge crackdown on those. Obviously kids still party but you won't find underaged at the bars. I love that fact that there is a lot of live music there too. My kids are really into catching shows both here and there.

Sports are huge. Yes the football team has sucked the last few years but basketball is huge. Kids need to get a sports pass ($500ish) for the year then you can get into the lottery for men'sbasketball games. No gurantee you will get a ticket but there is a lot of swapping that happens at the last minue. Assembly Hall is packed for every game. Mine love going to the women's basketball games and my DS has friends on the rugby team so he goes to those.

Mine have come back to DCand gone abroad for summers. One is off to Chicago for an internship this summer and the other will be back here. Plenty of DMV kids there who they now hang out with when home.

Really just a great school. We have been really please.

+1 on the sports culture. IU women’s basketball team playing right now and the game is completely sold out. 17,000+ in attendance.

Because they're playing Caitlin Clark, and she sells out everywhere.

I went to a sell out women’s game last season that didn’t feature Clark. So, she’s a draw, but don’t overstate things. IU has a women’s basketball team on par with Iowa and rabid fans.

Last night’s beat down of Iowa & Clark didn’t have a ton of people cheering for her. They came to root for Sara, Mackenzie, Sydney, Yarden, and Chloe.

Last year's sellout against Purdue was the first in the program's history. So who's overstating things?

Look, IU women's hoops gets really good support--they're not UConn or SC or Clark-era Iowa, but they're just one tier down--but Assembly Hall is half-empty for most of their games. This year's team is strong and their fanbase is growing, though, so maybe you're not wrong, just early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone mentioned the not being able to get into the bars is a negative...

I'm not going to lie. Our DC has brought this up. They've heard the bars that cater to freshman are either no longer taking that clientele or have closed down. They want a big university town experience - bars included - that a large flagship usually provides. But they're worried they will be stuck in dorms if they don't join the Greek life.

Also, thank you to the posters with children at IU right now who have weighed in on life in Bloomington. It is VERY much appreciated.

Wait, are you expecting bars that serve underage students?! And condoning this? Does that even happen in this day and age? I would think the legal liability would be through the roof. And honestly, at the school the size of Indiana, there’s ALWAYS more to do
than sit in a dorm room.

Did you not go to college bars? Yes it's expected sadly

Sadly is right! And no, I went to a small liberal arts school. There were no bars. But if underage drinking is happening in bars, the town and school are not working together to clamp down on it. And the liability—makes my lawyer head explode. The potential for property damage, binge drinking … too many potential problems. A bar would lose their liquor license in a heartbeat for starters.

If getting served at a bar is seriously a priority for the previous poster’s kid, try Canadian schools. 🙄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The one thing that will make dmv kids pause, are the Carmel, Indiana kids. The Carmel kids do think they are very special and should be treated that way. They have money and act very much like the rich of dmv.

Um. I live in Carmel, Indiana. And, we moved here with our kids directly from the DMV.

No, Carmel kids do not think they are very special. But, they have had to work very hard in a very competitive school district. They are prepared.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone mentioned the not being able to get into the bars is a negative...

I'm not going to lie. Our DC has brought this up. They've heard the bars that cater to freshman are either no longer taking that clientele or have closed down. They want a big university town experience - bars included - that a large flagship usually provides. But they're worried they will be stuck in dorms if they don't join the Greek life.

Also, thank you to the posters with children at IU right now who have weighed in on life in Bloomington. It is VERY much appreciated.

Wait, are you expecting bars that serve underage students?! And condoning this? Does that even happen in this day and age? I would think the legal liability would be through the roof. And honestly, at the school the size of Indiana, there’s ALWAYS more to do
than sit in a dorm room.

Did you not go to college bars? Yes it's expected sadly

Sadly is right! And no, I went to a small liberal arts school. There were no bars. But if underage drinking is happening in bars, the town and school are not working together to clamp down on it. And the liability—makes my lawyer head explode. The potential for property damage, binge drinking … too many potential problems. A bar would lose their liquor license in a heartbeat for starters.

If getting served at a bar is seriously a priority for the previous poster’s kid, try Canadian schools. 🙄

People, give us a break. Kids have been getting fake IDs forever, certain bars at different schools are known for less scrutiny, etc. The big issue is if kids are driving or not.

I doubt the bar cares that much about binge drinking, don't understand the property damage comment...they care about getting raided by the authorities and the the fines and possibly losing their liquor license.

Enough with the faux outrage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is a Freshman and went to DCPS. He did not know anyone had a great first semester, did very well in his classes and pledged a fraternity. He is now living as a freshman in his fraternity house and is very happy. Has a great social life, a huge group of friends, meets people all the time and studies hard too. He has had great advisors ath the school. Bloomington is a quintessential college town and the campus is beautiful.

I'm a native Hoosier and an IU alum and I've also lived in the DMV longer than I lived in Indiana. It makes me smile when I hear that East coast kids are happy there. Some of my lifelong friends came from New Jersey, New York, Northern Virginia and Boston. They loved IU. Something for everyone. Bloomington is a great place to go to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is a Freshman and went to DCPS. He did not know anyone had a great first semester, did very well in his classes and pledged a fraternity. He is now living as a freshman in his fraternity house and is very happy. Has a great social life, a huge group of friends, meets people all the time and studies hard too. He has had great advisors ath the school. Bloomington is a quintessential college town and the campus is beautiful.

Your kid rushed, pledged and was made a fraternity member by end of Freshman Fall semester? Is that how all Frats work at IU?

Is the Frat house massive or not a popular option for living? Again, amazed you go from zero in August to living in the Frat house by January.

[Anonymous]

I think men rush in the fall there. Not sure.

[Anonymous]

Native Hoosier here. I had my fake ID confiscated the first time I tried to use it in Bloomington in....1993. Bars in B'town don't mess around with underage drinking! But never fear, I also enjoyed myself in B'town. No shortage of parties standing around a keg with a red solo cup, LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Native Hoosier here. I had my fake ID confiscated the first time I tried to use it in Bloomington in....1993. Bars in B'town don't mess around with underage drinking! But never fear, I also enjoyed myself in B'town. No shortage of parties standing around a keg with a red solo cup, LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is a Freshman and went to DCPS. He did not know anyone had a great first semester, did very well in his classes and pledged a fraternity. He is now living as a freshman in his fraternity house and is very happy. Has a great social life, a huge group of friends, meets people all the time and studies hard too. He has had great advisors ath the school. Bloomington is a quintessential college town and the campus is beautiful.

Your kid rushed, pledged and was made a fraternity member by end of Freshman Fall semester? Is that how all Frats work at IU?

Is the Frat house massive or not a popular option for living? Again, amazed you go from zero in August to living in the Frat house by January.

I recall rushing/pledging in the fall. There could theoretically be space in a frat house with the seniors who had departed. Who knows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think men rush in the fall there. Not sure.

Yes, men pledge in the fall and women go back a week early in January for rush at IU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone mentioned the not being able to get into the bars is a negative...

I'm not going to lie. Our DC has brought this up. They've heard the bars that cater to freshman are either no longer taking that clientele or have closed down. They want a big university town experience - bars included - that a large flagship usually provides. But they're worried they will be stuck in dorms if they don't join the Greek life.

Also, thank you to the posters with children at IU right now who have weighed in on life in Bloomington. It is VERY much appreciated.

Wait, are you expecting bars that serve underage students?! And condoning this? Does that even happen in this day and age? I would think the legal liability would be through the roof. And honestly, at the school the size of Indiana, there’s ALWAYS more to do
than sit in a dorm room.

Did you not go to college bars? Yes it's expected sadly

Sadly is right! And no, I went to a small liberal arts school. There were no bars. But if underage drinking is happening in bars, the town and school are not working together to clamp down on it. And the liability—makes my lawyer head explode. The potential for property damage, binge drinking … too many potential problems. A bar would lose their liquor license in a heartbeat for starters.

If getting served at a bar is seriously a priority for the previous poster’s kid, try Canadian schools. 🙄

People, give us a break. Kids have been getting fake IDs forever, certain bars at different schools are known for less scrutiny, etc. The big issue is if kids are driving or not.

I doubt the bar cares that much about binge drinking, don't understand the property damage comment...they care about getting raided by the authorities and the the fines and possibly losing their liquor license.

Enough with the faux outrage.

+1 .I had so much fun in my college bars…a lot more fun than the frat parties. But we didn’t have to worry about driving (we walked) or anyone putting something in our drinks, which I know can happen anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone mentioned the not being able to get into the bars is a negative...

I'm not going to lie. Our DC has brought this up. They've heard the bars that cater to freshman are either no longer taking that clientele or have closed down. They want a big university town experience - bars included - that a large flagship usually provides. But they're worried they will be stuck in dorms if they don't join the Greek life.

Also, thank you to the posters with children at IU right now who have weighed in on life in Bloomington. It is VERY much appreciated.

Wait, are you expecting bars that serve underage students?! And condoning this? Does that even happen in this day and age? I would think the legal liability would be through the roof. And honestly, at the school the size of Indiana, there’s ALWAYS more to do
than sit in a dorm room.

Did you not go to college bars? Yes it's expected sadly

Sadly is right! And no, I went to a small liberal arts school. There were no bars. But if underage drinking is happening in bars, the town and school are not working together to clamp down on it. And the liability—makes my lawyer head explode. The potential for property damage, binge drinking … too many potential problems. A bar would lose their liquor license in a heartbeat for starters.

If getting served at a bar is seriously a priority for the previous poster’s kid, try Canadian schools. 🙄

People, give us a break. Kids have been getting fake IDs forever, certain bars at different schools are known for less scrutiny, etc. The big issue is if kids are driving or not.

I doubt the bar cares that much about binge drinking, don't understand the property damage comment...they care about getting raided by the authorities and the the fines and possibly losing their liquor license.

Enough with the faux outrage.

Faux outrage? I didn’t pick up on outrage from anyone, just some valid concerns about excessive drinking, which let’s face it, a lot of underage college drinking is. But let me explain the property damage comment to you since you’ve never seen the aftermath of drunken teenagers. I was in a restaurant in Athens, Georgia, and the owner apologized to me because there were no doors on the restroom stalls. Why? Drunken college students had swung from them and pulled them off the night before. She said this was an extreme incident but they are constantly fixing damage caused by partying students. Vomit and trash in the streets, common areas of campus, or dorm hallways — do you think it all magically disappears or to some extent towns and colleges pay to clean up after these kids? This isn’t faux outrage. It’s just the way things are.

Binge drinking. The bars may not care but the universities should and as parents, we sure as hell should. My cousin was head of his frat at Dartmouth. Everyone was so proud — he was so smart, so popular. He liked to have his fun though. Rite of passage — we all did it, boys will be boys, right? He is a recovering alcoholic and struggled to overcome that addiction.

This isn’t faux outrage. There are bigger issues than whether your kid is driving. I’m not naive. I know our kids are going to drink. But shouldn’t we teach them to drink responsibly? Have respect for themselves and others? Know their limits? Know how to get home safely and how to keep their friends safe? Don’t most of us want this for our kids?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The one thing that will make dmv kids pause, are the Carmel, Indiana kids. The Carmel kids do think they are very special and should be treated that way. They have money and act very much like the rich of dmv.

Carmel=Bethesda The DMV kids are used to that crowd.

About underage drinking my kid with an over 21 DC license has had the real license taken at Nick's and Kilroy's. The bars on Kirkwood are very strict.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The one thing that will make dmv kids pause, are the Carmel, Indiana kids. The Carmel kids do think they are very special and should be treated that way. They have money and act very much like the rich of dmv.

Carmel=Bethesda The DMV kids are used to that crowd.

About underage drinking my kid with an over 21 DC license has had the real license taken at Nick's and Kilroy's. The bars on Kirkwood are very strict.

Heavy Carmel, IN and suburban Chicago population.