Ella Mitchell
Photography Editor
It’s a Friday night: what are you doing? Arguably, a majority of the student population is preparing themselves for a weekend of partying. Sewanee is without a doubt a party school. Weekends here are usually filled with a variety of options…for those who enjoy partying. Greek organizations here tend to throw events starting on Thursday nights and lasting throughout the weekend. But what do our students think about the nightlife offered here? Do Sewanee students wish there were other activities available on the weekends besides parties?
First, let’s take a look at how students spend their time on the weekends. Jenna Mcamis, (C‘27) said that on the weekends she stay[s] in her dorm and watch[es] movies with friends.” Mary Pomeroy, (C ‘27) is another student who spends her weekends similarly to Mcamis. Pomeroy said, “I occasionally go out, but most of the time I like to catch up on homework, my hobbies, and sleep.”
Both of these first years describe themselves as individuals who go out occasionally but usually spend their time staying in. Another perspective is offered by Robert Strickland, (C ‘25) who is a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. Strickland says that on the weekends: “I usually just hang out with my buddies and figure out where everyone’s going and what sounds fun, and I usually just hang out with them.”
Mcamis then expressed how she felt about the options available for students on the weekends. “It’d be nice if there was more stuff to have on the weekends, like movie nights,” Mcamis said. “It’s difficult to find a dorm to bring everyone to watch a movie because it’s a small space. If there were planned movies it would be fun.” Occasionally, movie nights have been offered as weekend events on campus by the Tigers Entertainment Board (TEB). However, since the Sewanee Union Theater (SUT) closed down in 2021, the building it was housed in now replaced by the new Biehl Commons, movie nights have been few and far between. It seems that if these movie nights were held more frequently, some students like Mcamis would appreciate being able to attend.
Pomeroy shared a similar opinion, but she believes that the lack of other options on the weekend is not a fault of the university. It is based on where Sewanee is located. Pomeroy said, “Yes, I wish there were more things to do on the weekends besides party. I don’t think it’s really a problem with the university specifically, it’s our location. Because we don’t live in a typical college town it’s hard to find activities that you might find at other schools.” Sewanee will never have all of the activities available to students at a larger state school located in a city; however, the occasional activities presented by TEB do allow students to spend their weekends out and about, just not in a party setting. An increase in events presented by non-Greek organizations that do not involve traditional aspects of partying could definitely be beneficial to students like Mcamis and Pomeroy who don’t frequently engage in party culture.
When asked about their overall opinion on party culture, Mcamis and Pomeroy shared similar opinions. Mcamis said, “It’s intense sometimes. Day drinking every Saturday is a little much sometimes…for example Sparty and Red Eye. I do know people who party hard and are still into their academics.”
Pomeroy agreed with Mcamis, saying, “Some people get too carried away with all the drinking. But I do like a good party every once in a while so I don’t think we should prohibit parties or anything.”
Strickland’s overall views about Sewanee’s party culture differed from those of Mcamis and Pomeroy. “I think it’s awesome,” Strickland said. “With most frats being so close together, it’s really nice to be able to hang out with your friends in one spot and then walk sometimes only 100 yards away and see a completely different group of people.”
Because of the large number of students who participate in weekend parties, it seems that Strickland’s opinion likely reflects the views of a majority of students.
All three students then shared their thoughts about safety on campus, specifically walking home alone late at night on weekends. Both Mcamis and Pomeroy again shared a similar opinion.
“I get kind of worked up walking home because I think of what could happen, but not things I think actually would happen,” Mcamis said, “When I’m walking home I have to turn a flashlight on because it’s so dark in some areas. Whenever it’s super dark I get kind of nervous.”
Pomeory added to this statement, mentioning the anxiety that comes as a woman walking alone in the dark. “I have felt scared before but not really because of anything specific,” Pomeory said. “I think it’s mostly general anxiety because it’s super dark at some points on campus and we live in the woods. I would probably feel scared on any college campus because I am a young woman with anxiety.”
The feeling of apprehension when walking home alone is very valid because of the areas on campus where there is little to no light. In isolated areas in the dark, it is understandable that students would feel nervous walking home alone. Both Mcamis and Pomeroy share an excellent point; however, about fears of what could happen instead of what would actually happen. When asked if he felt anxious walking alone on campus, Strickland sympathized with some of Mcamis and Pomeroy’s points. “I don’t, but I know some people are from time to time, which is fair,” Strickland said. “Sometimes it can get pretty dark and quiet later in the evening so I totally get it.” It seems that students do feel apprehensive at times, but overall they view Sewanee as a safe campus.
After reflecting on the opinions of three different students, it seems that sometimes partying at Sewanee can be taken too far. If partying places students in unsafe scenarios or damages their academic success, that defines taking party culture too far. However, it is understandable why some students find it enjoyable and are able to balance their social and academic lives, in addition to making wise choices when engaging in party culture. Sewanee students also seem to feel relatively safe on campus when walking alone at night, in spite of the fact that a lot of parts of campus can be really dark.
After talking with Mcamis and Pomeroy, it is evident that at least some of our students wish there were more opportunities and activities available on weekends that do not involve parties. Strickland’s perspectives also shed an interesting light on why a large part of the student population does choose to party. We should not completely prohibit parties at Sewanee; however, it is important not to take things too far and get too carried away. It’s important to assess one’s own individual situation before making decisions on how to spend one’s weekend. Sewanee could definitely provide a couple more options for events on the weekends that do not involve partying and Greek life events. If more students knew about potential events in advance, they would likely make plans to attend. Finding a balance in which all students can have an enjoyable weekend with various activities available to them is a very attainable goal that can easily be achieved by the student body and university.