[DeltAlum]

Univ. of Colorado parties to top of list

BOULDER, Colorado (AP) --The University of Colorado topped the list of
party schools in the nation, while Brigham Young University was "stone-cold
sober," according to the Princeton Review's latest survey.

The "Best 351 Colleges" survey, based on responses from more than 100,000
students at U.S. campuses, ranks colleges in such categories as "most
religious students," "most beautiful campus" and "best campus food." The
review, which has no affiliation with Princeton University, has been
conducting the study since 1992.

Despite a six-year effort to curb binge drinking at the University of
Colorado, the school ranked third in widespread use of marijuana, fourth in
the prevalence of hard liquor consumption and 11th in the prevalence of
beer usage, Princeton Review reported in its 2004 findings. CU also ranked
first among schools where students study the least.

Last year, it came in at No. 8 on the party list.

Brigham Young University was ranked the top "stone-cold sober" school,
according to the study, while Army's military academy at West Point, New
York, was the hardest to get into.

Nearly 63 percent of students at the Boulder school binge drink, according
to Bob Maust, coordinator of the A Matter of Degree Program, which tried to
reduce binge drinking at CU. A Harvard study showed about 44 percent of
college students nationwide binge drink.

CU student Alexandra Kass, 21, said her study habits haven't suffered at a
university that also rated three out of four stars for academics in the survey.



Rankings under fire
The "party school" category is based on questions focusing on the amount of
alcohol and drug consumption, the amount of time students spend studying,
and the popularity of fraternities and sororities.

University officials questioned the latest Princeton Review report. They
said that the faculty also includes Nobel Prize winners, and that numerous
students have won awards.

"If they want to study hard and play hard, they will get a great degree,
but if they come here just to play hard, they won't be here long," said Ron
Stump, CU's vice chancellor for student affairs.

The American Medical Association has criticized party school listings,
saying they legitimize high-risk drinking and portray alcohol as an
essential part of student life.

Princeton Review editorial director Robert Franek said the survey merely
reports on conditions at the schools.

Other top 10 party schools included the University of Wisconsin-Madison;
Indiana University, Bloomington; University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign;
Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia; University of
Texas-Austin; The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee; DePauw
University, Greencastle, Indiana; Saint Bonaventure University, Olean, New
York; and the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

(c) 2003 The Associated Press.