Social Habits
By Hannah Gray
The University of Portland party scene falls into certain trends and habits that align with national statistics.
A 2001 Harvard University national study found that on college campuses, one-fifth of students do not drink at all, one-fifth participate in high frequency of binge drinking, two-fifths drink moderately, and one-fifth engages in binge drinking infrequently, according to Kristina Houck, a counselor for the Health Center.
"Our numbers mimic (the Harvard study)," Houck said. "We find those numbers to be true."
In the last ten years, 80 to 85 percent of UP students said they have consumed alcohol before, which matches up with the Harvard study, according to Houck.
"It's the best snapshot of what is happening," Houck said about the survey, which is anonymous.
The UP party scene is broken up into three areas - where the majority of students go in search for alcohol - bars on North Lombard Street, small house parties, and large house parties.
Many UP students go to the Twilight Room, often called the T-Room, on North Lombard Street on Thursday nights.
"It's really attractive for college students," sophomore Kiernan Hogan said.
Hogan also noted that many of the people in the T-Room on Thursday nights are UP students.
"I like it," sophomore James Gozdiff said. "It's a good place to chill with friends."
Gozdiff said that it's convenient to go to the bars on North Lombard Street because they are close to campus; therefore, he doesn't have to worry about finding a way to get back to campus.
However, the atmosphere of the T-Room isn't for everyone.
"I feel like I was back on the East Coast," Hogan said. "I didn't feel like I got a Portland University student feel."
Parties in the UP area are scarce, especially larger parties. Most students who throw parties prefer to keep the party small in order to avoid unwanted run-ins with Public Safety.
"I think it's mostly the atmosphere of the people who host parties; they yell all the time," junior Kolleen Uppinghouse said. "I've watched people get thrown out of parties, and it's awkward."
Uppinghouse said that because UP is a small school, the parties tend to reflect that.
"As juniors, we mostly just hang out at each other's houses," Uppinghouse said. "(Big) house parties have too many freshmen and sophomores who can't legally drink and are freaking out about P-Safe."
Gozdiff, who is 21, also prefers the small parties with close friends.
"Now that I'm 21, I don't have to leave to go there to get my own alcohol; I can just buy it," Gozdiff said.
However, UP students do crave bigger house parties for special occasions, such as Halloween.
"Themed parties and birthday parties are always fun," Uppinghouse said. "I think any excuse people have is fun."
However, the parties near campus tend to end early, and the alcohol is likely to run dry quickly, Hogan said.
