Playboy Magazine’s #1 Pick

CU dance team and band at USC game.

Finals week began at 7:00 A.M. Saturday morning at Colorado University at Boulder. They will continue until 10:00 P.M. Thursday night. Walking through CU’s campus this week shows a very different side of the school that was recently named Playboy magazine’s #1 party school in the United States for 2011. According to the magazine, this declaration was primarily due to the participation of half the student population, over 15,000, in “reefer madness” on April 20th. It also stated that Boulder which is a city of 94,000 is home to over 50 medical marijuana dispensaries, 4 breweries, and is within a short distance of mountain ski resorts.

Anthony and friends study at Norlin Library 

As students cheered for their new ranking, it caused apprehension among the faculty and Boulder residents. Historically, CU has been one of the tougher schools to get into. Trepidation grew over maintaining its reputation for rigorous academics and high standards after learning of this award.  My daughter is in the midst of finals and finishing up her freshman year. She is a business major. At many other colleges, they start with a student load of basic requirements, taking business courses sophomore year. At CU they start right in with business classes, in her opinion, to weed out the weaker students.

Courtney is on the Gold Rush Dance Team which cheers with the Marching Band at football games and other events throughout the year. Last Thursday they performed for an outdoor Alumni event. When I asked about the new Playboy magazine ranking, the students replied that they thought they received it because of 4/20. They didn’t think there were as many people in attendance this year. The ranking came a week before the event, so the magazine’s statistics were based on last year’s event and the announcement acted as an advertisement. The administration estimates 8,000 participated this year and 75 to 80 % were not even CU students. The total student body is currently 31,000. They went on to say their teachers had been very upset and brought up their concern for future enrollment and donations. 4/20 cost CU $50,000 in clean up and security.

Regardless of Playboy magazine’s infamous ranking, CU students can be found cramming for exams in crowded libraries, cafeterias, and coffee shops all over campus. This precedes the mass exodus that will occur at the end of the week.