<p>I agree with jc40 - the issue at hand that the OP seems to have as well is not with the party atmosphere but that the leadership and culture may be dominated by those who may be in the Greek System and may also be partiers. </p>
<p>Same was true in my daughter’s HS - the student council, the big event leaders, those who had the “inside track” were the more social, confident go-getters who also tended to be the partiers as well (but that certainly doesn’t go hand in hand). Sure there were/are kids who wanted to change things and sometimes they would but it takes the guts to face opposition or break into that top group that tends to be the dominant leaders.</p>
<p>There will always be the students who work hard/play hard - that is their personality and they also tend to be the types who are go-getters on all fronts and don’t often take no as an answer. They can appear intimidating to someone not close to them.</p>
<p>Have you truly tried to make change or just talked about it among peers who also feel the same way? There is a difference and it takes planning, it takes gumption, and it takes showing you are committed to seeing the change through and the change needs to make sense and be sustainable. Don’t assume things can’t change, don’t assume things have always been the same and unless you get in the thick of what you are after and truly see what the various facets are, don’t trust other’s opinions or assumptions, and don’t assume things can’t/won’t ever change.</p>
<p>And overall, this type of scenario is everywhere - schools and workforces. But that does not make UVA a party school either.</p>
<p>I believe the ultimate issue at hand, here on this board, and rightfully pointed out by current students and alumni, is that this is not the place for the OP to discuss their frustrations and concerns. If they have a concern there is a time and a place to do it, and far more appropriate forums to do so. This is not the place.</p>
<p>We, who are interested parents and students who come for information and questions, honestly don’t have a leg to stand on here. In my opinion, it’s not really our place to say what our perception is. That’s not the issue. </p>
<p>This is an issue between a student and the school they attend. They have every right in the appropriate forum, and channels to be heard. Their fellow classmates and alumni are the ones who have the right to stand up here, as they have, and tell them to take it elsewhere.</p>
<p>Respectfully, that’s my opinion. I hope the OP has found a forum comprised of current students where they can voice their concerns and find the resolution the seek. For now, I’d like to get back to our regularly scheduled programming.</p>
<p>I really didn’t care about leadership first year…until the existing leaders stood in the way of progress. </p>
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<p>I wish that were true.</p>
<p>They seem to be the types that waste meeting times making long announcements that could easily have been announced by email, rather than using the precious time together to foster true discussion or feedback.</p>
<p>Their impression of “logistics” or “organisation” is dominated by organising that large dance event. which I wouldn’t mind, if the party actually exhibited a little cultural uniqueness and wasn’t like every other party on Grounds. </p>
<p>When it comes to making it a difference in any meaningful manner, they are not ambitious but rather very conservative. They are remarkably short-sighted. They have no established or socially acceptable means by which feedback or improvements can be made. </p>
<p>I’m no sociology major or a management consultant, but I bet some qualified people would diagnose these political structures as “diseased”. </p>
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<p>I have repeatedly indicated projects or collaborations where I was willing to do the SHEER bulk of the work and the organising; I only needed their endorsement or their cooperation.</p>
<p>They are much too concerned with electing people into nominal titles and positions than organising people to do any real ACTION. I suppose they don’t want to risk anything that upsets their inertial agenda or their resume-padding.</p>
<p>Btw, I am most familiar with these problems in what you would probably consider a narrow group of organisations, but I perceive the same disease elsewhere.</p>
<p>1) (and on a very minor note) UVAorBust…way to try and hijack a topic back to the discussion of you.</p>
<p>2) Let’s not be so quick to jump on the OP. No, this was not the correct forum in which to post if the OP meant to accomplish more than just to rant/get something off his/her chest.</p>
<p>3) To the OP: The status quo often provides comfort to most people, or at least the people who are in control. You’ll definitely find this in industry outside of academia and in the public/political world. If you are disillusioned now, you stand to view a lot more yet in your lifetime. I’m in no means trying to argue you should accept the status quo, but begin working now to try and find productive outlets and means to try and address your concerns.</p>
<p>I’m wondering what forums you have attempted thus far to address your concerns… It seems you lack faith in the ability to approach some student-based organizations and have your concerns taken seriously. Have you approached any of the Deans, written anything/submitted to the Cav Daily? Have you tried to band together with various other organizations that may feel similarly to sponsor a panel discussion on the roles/philosophy of student leadership?</p>
<p>well beyond specific organising efforts, I am thinking of writing a community-wide letter, somewhere. but I want to make it poignant and effective without specifically targeting anyone. </p>
<p>the most relevant audience listens in on privileged-access channels, which broadcast in a style that are more of, “here’s the next party/rush/publicity event” or “here’s the next chance to apply for another private/public title in your resume!” as opposed to things like “here are ongoing grassroots efforts you can strengthen TODAY to make a difference in X”</p>
<p>plus I was never really into a lot of Cav Daily editorials (though Dec ones are a little more engrossing). my reaction has always tended to be, “great. so what can we students do about it?” </p>
<p>well if my organising attempts work, there might be an appropriate forum that will be created perhaps sometime eventually. </p>
<p>one particular umbrella organisation has called for a new web committee, complaining that their website/blog isn’t being actively read. I have to roll my eyes so much because it’s a natural consequence of their dearth of community-oriented efforts and their continuous actions which have time and time again excluded community-wide participation in favour of small and closed cliques. It doesn’t matter how snazzy your site is if it lacks community interaction/content.</p>
<p>Who cares if UVA is a party school. In the end, its an individual’s decision on whether or not to party. If your serious about not screwing up,then don’t party. If you don’t care, then go party. I for one, if I do get accepted, have no intention of partying. Poor waste of time that could be used for more productive things. I hear the drinking is quite prominent too (source? My best friend’s sister, who now attends UVA).</p>
<p>@frenchcoldplay
I’m sure that there are some classy parties. However, we are referring to those “wild” ones. Nothing wrong with a classy party. Serious issues with those wild ones though.</p>