OPINION & EDITORIAL
Playboy ranking recognizes wrong aspects of UW
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Also by Emily Friedman:
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by Emily Friedman
Thursday, April 13, 2006
It is no secret that UW-Madison is a great place to go to college. We have everything: the respect of universities nationwide for being an academic leader and a distinguished research institution, national championship titles, and a locale that boasts great restaurants and nightlife. Last week, when Playboy magazine ranked UW-Madison No. 1 on its list of top 10 party schools, some began to worry that this was yet another indication that the public perception of UW-Madison centers on drinking, partying and now nudity — rather than the rigorous academic agenda.
Being named the No.1 party school by Playboy is undeniably fun and certainly something to brag about to friends at other schools. We did, after all, top universities like the University of California —Santa Barbara and the University of Arizona — both competitors in the realm of party schools.
Also, the magazine's publicity manager, in a statement to The Badger Herald, did not overlook the other assets UW-Madison offers. She cited UW-Madison students as having the "best of both worlds" by receiving top-notch education along with a variety of social opportunities.
The publication also claims that the rankings are not based solely on partying on campus, but also on academics, athletics and the local atmosphere.
Inside the magazine, though, the party school rankings are centered far more on alcohol consumption than the other more positive aspects of the universities. On Playboy's website, the introduction to the rankings says, "Why pay top dollar to study with boring scholars when you can spend your college years where your BAC is as high as your GPA?"
The Campus Crib Sheet, or the abridged version of why Wisconsin was named No.1, summarizes campus life in categories primarily based on sex or drinking. For example, listed under UW-Madison are the best party, hookup spots, favorite drinking game and favorite beer. There is one area paying tribute to notable alums.
In the photograph accompanying the article on UW-Madison, 19 UW women are seen either completely nude or with remnants of Wisconsin attire on. With them are the men of the Delta Upsilon fraternity. The boys, not surprisingly, appear elated, and each is positioned accordingly — some even lucky enough to have naked girls sitting on their laps.
Certain members of The Badger Herald staff are also happy. Last week they applauded the ranking, saying that it is reason to celebrate even more than we already do. In fact, they said that the ranking is "something worth drinking to."
Sorry, but I'm confused. What, exactly, does this have to do with UW academics? Athletics? Local atmosphere?
In reality, there are issues facing our campus that need just as much attention as any Playboy centerfold. How about the fact that the Associated Students of Madison can't get their act together and have now cancelled two student elections, conceivably jeopardizing the possibility of an election occurring at all? The technological difficulties that ASM experienced have resulted in voting mayhem that needs to be addressed and prevented in the future.
And don't forget our athletic achievements. The men's hockey team beat Boston College to take Wisconsin's sixth NCAA hockey title. With both the men and women's hockey teams winning national championship titles, we became the first Division I school to win both hockey titles.
Politically, there is also plenty going on in need of attention. In an effort to further protect the youth of Wisconsin, Gov. Doyle signed a bill into Congress last week that will allow repeat sex offenders to be sentenced to life in prison. Madison is a political hotbed — but is anyone even paying attention?
We go to a great school. We have great professors and a great research component to our university. Yes, we also have the famous Halloween party on State Street and the Mifflin Street Block Party. It's OK to celebrate the fun aspects of UW, but it's sad to think that in a few years, we will just be acknowledged for our ability to take shots and binge-drink five nights a week. Let's not forget the academic — it's part of why we came here, right?
Emily Friedman (ecfriedman@wisc.edu) is a junior majoring in journalism and legal studies.
Marc Bell (April 13, 2006 @ 10:30am):
"Let's not forget the academic -- it's part of why we came here, right?"
Take a look around, the people who value Wando's Tuesday night specials more than thier class work, dont survive here. You can't escape the academics here.
Whats with the hockey season mention? An athletic championship is as transitory as any annual award. I'm a dedicated hockey fan, as proud of Wisconsin hockey as Mike Eaves and Mark Johnson, but I know in 2 years very few will remember that UW won both NCAA awards. However despite your concerns, UW has ranked higher on academic charts far longer than it has on party school lists. And people will remember that.
You should be proud of those who can keep their "BAC is as high as your GPA" in a school this populated with highly motivated, brilliant students. I think its an honor that says we can academically compete with the best of them and then drink them all under the table. I'll raise my Spotted Cow to that.
Sure ASM can't run an election, but thats not a concern of anyone beyond this campus, so why bother mentioning it in an article supposedly looking at the national ripples of our playboy party school reputation?
And lastly and mostly as a side note, as a living breathing male...What's so wrong with being classmates with women as beautiful as we have on this campus? Would you have preferred Playboy to come and not find enough girls to even take a photo?
Anonymous (April 13, 2006 @ 2:16pm):
bottom line we like to party here at madison but we also take care of business when it comes up. if you dont like to party and just want to study i hear northwestern students dont even have any bars on campus and spend friday nights in the library.
