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BYU remains most sober university in the country

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Mountain Dew | 10:33 a.m. July 28, 2008
The "Mormon Courage"!
Anonymous | 10:34 a.m. July 28, 2008
Yeah!
Really? | 10:48 a.m. July 28, 2008
If I went there-I'd have to start drinking!
Comments continue below
My2Cents | 10:50 a.m. July 28, 2008
This just reinforces America's belief that BYU is the Oral Roberts of the West.
bravery | 10:58 a.m. July 28, 2008
You have to be courageous no matter what denomination consume MD.

Like Homer Simpson, I'd rather drink crab juice.
Anonymous | 11:12 a.m. July 28, 2008
Youd about have to be drunk to enroll in BYU, so maybe they sober up about the time they find out what college they at! Waking up with a hangover at BYU would sober me up!!
Most sober... | 11:18 a.m. July 28, 2008
...we'll take it. And BYU has plenty of parties and social life going on. But I guess in the eyes of the world their style doesn't qualify it as a "party school" since booze is not involved and students are not hurling all over their shoes and having unchecked sexual relations. Oh we are so missing out. Not.
Great Comments | 11:22 a.m. July 28, 2008
Great comments from the people that could not get into college or had to settle for state schools.
Anonymous | 11:29 a.m. July 28, 2008
What about USU?
Anon | 11:33 a.m. July 28, 2008
Way to go, BYU!!!! Loved you then, love you now!!! I had no need to drink at BYU to have a great time...
hank | 11:38 a.m. July 28, 2008
go byu
frank | 11:38 a.m. July 28, 2008
how come only my good comments are posted?
filtered information is for the brainwashed ....
Ken Goddard | 11:39 a.m. July 28, 2008
Duh! And this is news?
Play the Game | 11:56 a.m. July 28, 2008
Students are "high" on self-righteousness instead.
Jeff | 11:58 a.m. July 28, 2008
Anonymous | 11:29 a.m. July 28, 2008
What about USU?


Are we talking sports, or college rankings? I'm starting to think that "What about USU" must be the school's motto.
Go Y! | 12:08 p.m. July 28, 2008
The creamery makes the best chocolate milk!

I don't get the high involvement in student government, tho. When I went there (two years ago) it was regarded as a joke.
Matthew | 12:18 p.m. July 28, 2008
Dear "Great Comments,"

To claim that anyone who hasn't chosen to go to BYU couldn't get in is one true example (of few) of the pride and self-righteous behavior that many feel the campus is saturated with. There is no other way to look at it.

Wouldn't it be easy to cut it out?
Ema | 12:19 p.m. July 28, 2008
Meh, I enjoyed my time at the U (including a couple drunken nights at frat parties), and I never had troubles contacting my teachers. They all have regular office hours and an e-mail address. And the few girls I knew in high school who went to BYU got married before finishing their degree and didn't end up graduating. Of course, I know a girl like that who went to the U, but her husband is now going to BYU for graduate school, while she tends their two babies (she's 22).
No Surprise | 12:24 p.m. July 28, 2008
It is no surprise that LDS Church's flagship school rates highest on the survey for sobriety. It is nice to see a school that stands up for what it says it believes.

I'll bet BYU ranks pretty high on the spirit-of-Elijah family history survey, also.

dyc | 12:25 p.m. July 28, 2008
As someone who graduated from both BYU and USU, I have to say BYU is definitely more of a stone-cold sober school. Way to go Cougs!!

Too bad "Play the Game" doesn't realize his own comment is self-righteous. Let all the naysayers make their comments. Those of us who graduated from the Y know what a great school it really is!
I Wondered... | 12:23 p.m. July 28, 2008
... why there were so many comments about this. Mostly ill-advised cheap shots, I see.

As an LDS instructor at a secular state university, I applaud BYU's wholly unscientific ranking and unofficial award. Far from all secular college students regularly drink themselves into oblivion, but the bacchanal lifestyle of many is a serious impediment to true learning. It is truly difficult to teach the hung-over when they do attend class--and impossible to teach them when they don't.

Many campuses nationwide hold regular discussions on the dangers of binge-drinking and other risky behavior that accompanies the bacchanal lifestyle. Whatever else you think of BYU, its problems are happily minimal that way. And BYU students across the board DO learn better, because this distraction is largely not among them.

This is a GOOD thing, BYU. Stay #1 on that list for 100 years!
JP | 12:28 p.m. July 28, 2008
That's what the students say on the surveys- but the reality is quite different-you'd be surprised what goes on at BYU from drinking, to drugs, to everything else, they are no different then most colleges- they just hide it better
Really? | 12:32 p.m. July 28, 2008
At least 80% of the students I knew at BYU regularly drank alcohol and smoked weed.
Anonymous | 12:55 p.m. July 28, 2008
High on self righteousness. That is awesome! Exactly why I didn't go to BYU. Go Aggies!
Good for BYU | 1:01 p.m. July 28, 2008
I think it's something to be proud of and as much as I am not a BYU fan I have to give them props for having the courage to live their values. There is nothing self rightious about this. With all the tragedy alcohal and drugs have brought to this world, there should not be one negative comment about this article.
Dray | 1:02 p.m. July 28, 2008
I was shocked that BYU was the most dry campus in the nation. I wonder if not being able to drink while attending school had anything to do with this. What a surprise.
Re; Really | 1:10 p.m. July 28, 2008
I don't even go to BYU and am not LDS and call bull on your statisitcs.
Really? | 1:16 p.m. July 28, 2008
why is everyone so upset about this article, would you honestly expect anything different?
George | 1:26 p.m. July 28, 2008
To Really:
Of the ten students you knew, eight lied to be there.
Jon | 1:29 p.m. July 28, 2008
Dude, Really?, I'm pretty sure you're off a little there on your stats. I lived in BYU housing, and I guarantee the vast majority of them weren't drinking or smoking weed.
BYU Graduate | 1:30 p.m. July 28, 2008
BYU is exremely boring now. There was a time that BYU was pretty fun, less uptight. Living near BYU, I hear a lot of things. What I hear now is that a lot of things go on but are under the radar. It's a show piece for the world, in other words, a large facade is in place. My kids plan to go somewhere else even though it is just down the street.
RE: Really? | 1:41 p.m. July 28, 2008
Your comments about 80% of your BYU student friends smoking weed and drinking are: a) poorly expressed sarcasm and irony, b) a reflection of the few BYU students you know and the crowd you usually hang out with, c) the fruits of outright delusion, d) wholly made up in the interest of mocking BYU or "making a joke," or e) some combination of all those.

Most of us who've attended BYU for longer than a few weeks know and recognize that not every BYU student lives the Honor Code or church standards. Some against-the-rules behavior goes on underground, yes. But it's certainly not typical of the mainstream!

So--nice try. Whichever of the above applies.
Anonymous | 1:56 p.m. July 28, 2008
BYU Graduate remember Jim McMahon? He lived up to BYU's high standards. BYU as Utah, is more appearance than reality.

Many kids are forced by parents to go to BYU. This makes them more rebellious.
Go Utah | 2:25 p.m. July 28, 2008
So there are two Utah schools (BYU and Westminster) in the top 18 for quality of life? That's tough to beat!
Chicago Perspective | 2:41 p.m. July 28, 2008
Jim McMahon? Really? Did you not read the article? This is the 11th straight year BYU has received the sober distinction.
A simple google search will show you that Jim McMahon was at BYU a little before that time.
Cute hyperbole, but missed the mark by about 15 years...
Mrs. | 2:50 p.m. July 28, 2008
My sister had some terrible professors when she was at the U of U, including some who could barely speak English. I hope that they will look into this and improve their teaching!
U of U | 3:11 p.m. July 28, 2008
A toast to Provo's sobriety!
Way to go!!! You have proven that you are better then the rest of us!!!!

I look at all of you in envy. How could I be as happy as you?
I always thought that happiness is at the bottom of a beautifully colored pint of Amber Ale. Or the even kiss of wheat that a Red Rock Golden Ale leaves in your mouth.

I guess my last couple years in college have been just like the author of article wrote. I have spent it with hang overs and throw up all over my shoes.
I mean I have a 3.8 GPA, but imagine what I could have if I didn't go out for a few drinks on the weekends!

BYU here I come!
Ivy League grad | 3:15 p.m. July 28, 2008
Good work BYU. Yes, some of the students may drink, but the social norm is to abstain. Try going to another school and see how that flies.
Salt Lake JoJo | 3:31 p.m. July 28, 2008
Where is your Nobel Laureate? That's something to be proud of (and I agree--it's likely that most people just lied and said they didn't drink to save face and be self-righteous).
medicine man | 3:38 p.m. July 28, 2008
re: Anon | 11:33 a.m. July 28, 2008

Ice cream socials are so much better than booze.
Bacchus | 3:42 p.m. July 28, 2008
BYU students are not drunk on alcohol and recreational drugs. But that doesn't mean they aren't drunk!

They are drunk on self-righteousness!

They are drunk on misplaced pride!

They are drunk on arrogance!

They are drunk on hypocrisy!

They are drunk on irrational superstition!

Being intoxicated with these things is FAR WORSE than having a few drinks of alcohol at a social gathering.
Good job BYU... | 3:43 p.m. July 28, 2008
... but the reporting is off.

BYU has no "student government" on campus. It has BYUSA - a "service organization" which, other than in the eyes of freshmen, is loathed by a majority of the students. BYU's a fine school - my only real problems have been minor and with the bureaucracy, and even they're not terribly big. But there simply is no student government for students to have faith in. The closest thing there is to a student government is a despised "service organization" whose greatest achievement is annoying students each year with their election.

Personally, I don't think that's a huge deal. Student government organizations at most schools serve as little more than toothless devices for a few students to distribute their political propaganda in the name of a school who does not universally support them.
from Wash State | 3:43 p.m. July 28, 2008
Thanks to those that had something good to say.

It really is a tired old story that "tons of students drink on campus at BYU". It simply isn't true.

Sadly, many people in this world can take any story and turn it negative.

Re: Matthew | 3:47 p.m. July 28, 2008
BYU is difficult to get into compared to the state run schools. I had a very decent GPA and was not able to get in at first. It's a privilage to attend any college, but privately run schools are much more of a privilage to attend and BYU is among one of the top private schools in the nation.

Those posting that they would need to be drunk to attend BYU or would be crazy to attempt to enroll in the first place probably are the types that would not get in.

Truth hurt? Deal with it!

Congrats to BYU. It's a good feeling not being surrounded by the trash the world produces.
Re: U of U | 4:12 p.m. July 28, 2008
I hope your 3.8 in communications serve you well. I am a U of U graduate. I graduated from the Exercise and Sports Science Department. I am proud to say that I never had to drink at school, although I sure picked up enough of the Frat boys and/or Sorority girls coming to or from a football games. I even took a couple all of the way to their houses because they could not walk. Now that is a good time. I loved to watch the U play but I really despised all of the drunkeness that happens at the games. I saw a couple of people puke on the sidewalk and other pedestrians. Now there is another good time. Maybe one day you will understand that it is ok to be sober. BYU is not throwing it in anyones face. People choose to drink and people choose not to drink. Hey try it one time at a football game. You might actually see a good game.
Focus on Academics | 4:17 p.m. July 28, 2008
Now if only BYU can stop teaching dumb bell honors Calculus, they might become an elite school.
Dr. J | 4:25 p.m. July 28, 2008
Those of you throwing water on their accomplishments and tossing out fabrications to smear the Y reveal big, bloody soars of jealousy. The best part of it is that you have to live with yourselves--while the rest of us laugh at the open resentment you think is camouflaged by your wit.

'atta-way Cougs!

Say What? | 4:29 p.m. July 28, 2008
From Bacchus | 3:42 p.m.:

"They are drunk on self-righteousness!

They are drunk on misplaced pride!

They are drunk on arrogance!

They are drunk on hypocrisy!"


And THEN this from Re: Matthew | 3:47 p.m.:

"It's a good feeling not being surrounded by the trash the world produces."

And we supposedly good upstanding LDS people really wonder why Bacchus and many others feel the way they do? Why SHOULD we wonder?

Also taught at BYU, along with the importance of being stone cold sober: Kindness, charity, compassion, tolerance, HUMILITY, and the knowledge that we, everyone on this earth, are ALL children of God.

Who's listening to THOSE lessons?
Congrats | 4:39 p.m. July 28, 2008
I think that I'm now dumber for having read some of the comments on this article.

When a school is noted for having done something extraordinary, there should be approval and appreciation, rather than jealousy and ad hominem attacks.

I congratulate the Y for this unofficial, yet duly noted acclamation.

Chocolate Milk Fan | 4:41 p.m. July 28, 2008
I have to agree with the 12:08p.m. person the BYU Creamery doe make the best Chocolate Milk, I go their quite a bit when I am working in Provo one day a week just to buy it, Good Job BYU, bBut be carefull where you by it at, In the Cougar Eat at Sugar & Spice they will charge you $1.68 in the Vending Machines they will charge you a $1.40 and at the Creamery on 9th they charge you $1.06 so they creammery is your best bet to by chocolate milk. Good Job BYU.

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