Unofficial Colgate FAQ
Here it is, the latest version of the unofficial Colgate FAQ. Cut for length.
Quick Jump - Dorms, Academics, Social, Money, Getting Around, Weather, Other Stuff.
What are the best dorms?
It's hard to give a definitive answer on this. Perhaps a rundown of all the freshman dorms would be better.
Andrews - Suites (three-, four- and five-person); first floor is split in half, with men on one side and women on the other; other floors are coed by room. A very nice place to live.
Stillman - Four-person suites, doubles, and a few singles. Single sex by floor. Also very nice. Spacious rooms, comfortable.
East, West - Single, double and triple rooms. East is co-ed by room; West is single sex by floor. The two original dorms, but they've been redone. Spacious rooms, very comfortable. East is substance-free.
Gatehouse - Doubles. Co-ed floors. Gatehouse used to suck, especially when it was triples. Can't really say how it is these days...
Curtis - Almost entirely doubles (there are some suites on the top). Co-ed floors. The rooms are a little cramped, but it's not bad. One of the newer buildings on campus. Decent.
What about bathrooms?
Public bathrooms on all floors. Freshman year, anyway. Sorry.
What classes are required?
Shame on you for not paying attention during the tour. There are four required courses:
In addition to this, you also need to take at least six classes, two from each of the three major divisions: natural sciences and math, social sciences, and humanities.
All of these classes vary depending on the professor teaching them. For example, my Traditions professor covered Aristotle, and no others do that anymore.
Is [your class here] a good class to take?
I don't know. Post on the community; someone will answer you.
How much will I spend on books?
Depends on the classes. You could spend $150, or you could spend $400. Prepare to spend at least $150.
How many classes can I take?
Usually, four. You can take five, but you need special permission for that. And you can take three, but you probably shouldn't unless you can afford having less credits.
What about computer equipment?
Bring whatever you like. Most people have laptops, but some (including myself) stick with towers. Basically all of the buildings on campus have wireless, so you can take your laptop wherever. Places like the Coop and the library have both wireless and wired ports, but carrying wires can be a pain.
You don't need to bring a printer, but it doesn't hurt to have one. Having one saves you the hassle of having to run to a computer lab every time you need to print something, but you may find yourself using the labs anyway. Personally, I prefer going to the labs to print out longer papers, and I use my printer for short papers.
Windows or Mac?
It's your preference; either works on campus. SOURCe supports both.
Is [your professor here] a good professor?
I don't know. Post on the community, or check on RateMyProfessors.com.
What's the dress code?
Honestly, it's varied. You'll find people who flip the collars on their salmon pink polo shirts, people who wear a button-down shirt and slacks, and everything in between. Quite a few people fit into the first category (the 'preppies', if you like that word) but they're not the only ones at Colgate.
Colgate's a rich people school, isn't it?
Somewhat, but not like it used to be. There are quite a few people on campus with financial aid and other packages, but for the most part, people have money. It just varies on how much. An example: I remember a few faculty members talking about how three kids that attend the school drive Hummers.
Where does Colgate fall on the political spectrum?
Depends on who you ask. The school is definitely not hardcore liberal (think Brown), but it's also not extremely conservative. I guess it's middle of the road. Most colleges have a liberal lean, I suppose. Example - in Spring 2003, the College Republicans brought Ann Coulter to the school, and most of the people there were very angry with what she had to say. On the other hand, the Brothers brought Jesse Jackson.
Is Colgate a party school?
Almost everyone will tell you yes. But unlike some other schools, the kids aren't there just to drink. Most people are there to learn.
When are the party nights?
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
What's Colgate party scene like?
Most people will learn what the Jug is very, very quickly. It's a bar downtown, but on weekend nights, it's packed with mostly freshmen. Who get their grind on. Fact is, most people drink (or use other things...) on the weekends. The parties are packed. And the frats are always doing something. But not everyone does that stuff. There are (free) movies on the weekends, there's the Barge, and there's really anything else you can think of.
What kind of alcohol flows at Colgate?
This is the one thing that I never understood. Most of the kids have money, and yet they drink the cheapest beer in the history of beer. Keystone Light or Natural (Natty) Light are the big ones. For parties - especially birthdays - you may find hard liquor, but it's usually cheap stuff, like Kamchatka vodka. Whatever gets you messed up, I suppose.
Will Colgate suck if I don't drink?
I kinda answered this one two questions back, but I'll address it again. No, your experience won't be ruined if you don't drink. Plenty of people don't drink, and they still have a good time. Drinking is there for the people who want it. The social scene at Colgate is really what you make of it. Quoted from amatyultare: "It's true that there are plenty of nonalcoholic events at Colgate, but also, don't think just because you don't drink that you have to avoid any situation with alcohol. If you're okay with being around people who are drinking, you can go to any party (frat or otherwise) that you want, and have just as much fun as anyone else."
Is there a pressure to drink?
No. The most you'll get is someone saying, "Hey, there's beers over there." If nothing else, pressing you to have a beer just means there's one less beer for someone else to have.
Which are the good frats?
It depends on your perspective. Perhaps a brief rundown of all the frats is in order.
Other frats:
Sororities (sorry, I don't know them well):
Will I need (semi-)formal clothing?
Yes. Freshmen go to the Convocation during orientation, which is a dinner on the field, followed by a walk up the hill and speeches. And there are events during the year that you'll want to dress up for. I'm writing this during the summer, so I don't know if there's a freshman formal being planned for this year or not. But there are other events that may warrant you getting pretty.
What's the deal with getting a job on campus?
Some people get jobs on campus. Some more tech-savvy people work at SOURCe, where they fix other people's computers. Other people work at the Barge, or for the academic departments. The Writing Center, for example, is a place for peer review on papers.
I work in SOURCe, where I fix people's computers. Other people work for media services, which involves working projectors and whatnot. Unlike other schools, you won't find students working in the dining halls.
Can I work in Admissions?
If you want, sure. But leading tours and the like is volunteer only. They usually ask you to start by answering questions with people in Admissions, and in a semester or two, you'll lead tours.
How much money should I put on my GateCard?
You need to figure that out for yourself. Here's a list of things you could use your GateCard for:
Be warned! The GateCard is not as wonderful as it seems. Whenever you use the GateCard in a store that's not on campus, the school takes 5% off of the profit made. That's why not all the places take it - they lose cash on the deal. And if you want to take money off of your GateCard, the school charges you some value per dollar. (I forget how much.)
Should I have a car?
A good question. Having a car never hurts, but it's not required. First off, there's the Cruiser. It runs every so often (it's supposed to be fifteen minutes, but that never happens) and it'll take you all around town - including the supermarket. And unless you're planning on going to Utica or Syracuse every weekend, you really don't need a car. If nothing else, become friends with someone that has a car. :]
I have a friend that goes to school at [college]. I'll get to see them, right?
That's up to you. Everyone has a lot of work to do all the time. Unless you can prioritize to the point where you have a completely free weekend, no, you really won't get a chance to see your friend. Sorry.
Is Colgate pretty?
Yes. Very.
When does it start getting cold?
Usually within a month of school starting.
When does it start snowing? How long does it snow for?
November, or so. And it pretty much goes on and off until March - but it can last longer. It snows lightly for days at a time, so the sky is always gray and overcast.
Any relation to the toothpaste?
Somewhat. William Colgate was a manufacturer who started a soap company. He was also a devout Baptist, and gave money to the Baptist Education Society (Colgate's original name). That's why the school was renamed after him - because he gave them so much cash. Anyway, William Colgate was also a soapmaker. His company, Colgate & Company, started making toothpaste after he died, but the name has lived on.
What phone service should I use at school?
My cell phone is Verizon, and that's the one I recommend. I get a strong signal almost all over Hamilton. Cingular has a place in town, and their service is pretty good. Not sure about the other companies, though.
What's the deal with the brothel law?
The brothel law, naturally, is just an urban legend. Sorry.
Can you swim in Taylor Lake?
No. The lake is only a few feet deep, and it's really mucky on the bottom. You can jump in if you really want, but it's not recommended at all. The lake isn't radioactive, as most people would have you believe. And no, there is no car in Taylor Lake.
Why is there a swim test?
There isn't - it was abolished as of 2005.
Why is there a Colgate Cruiser?
A few years ago, a guy got wasted at a frat party and offered to drive a few people up the hill. They never made it. The frat was suspended for awhile, and the Cruiser was enacted as an option for driving drunk. Jeff Fein's article in the Maroon News has more.
Did Broken Lizard really graduate from Colgate?
Yes! Broken Lizard, the five guys that made Supertroopers and Club Dread, graduated from Colgate. Their first movie, Puddle Cruiser, was filmed at Colgate. In the spring '04 semester, they came to Colgate and had a showing of Club Dread before it was released in theaters. During their time at Colgate, they formed Charred Goosebeak, an improv comedy troupe that still regularly performs.
Did Walter Cronkite really say that?
I've done a little research on it, and as far as I know, he did. For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, Walter Cronkite supposedly said the following:
"There are two places in the world I wouldn't want my daughter to be ... Vietnam and Colgate during Spring Party Weekend." -- Walter Cronkite, 1972
Did Colgate really get into Playboy?
Yes. In 2002, Colgate received an honorable mention in Playboy's top party schools list. For more information, check out this site.
Quick Jump - Dorms, Academics, Social, Money, Getting Around, Weather, Other Stuff.
Dorms
What are the best dorms?
It's hard to give a definitive answer on this. Perhaps a rundown of all the freshman dorms would be better.
Andrews - Suites (three-, four- and five-person); first floor is split in half, with men on one side and women on the other; other floors are coed by room. A very nice place to live.
Stillman - Four-person suites, doubles, and a few singles. Single sex by floor. Also very nice. Spacious rooms, comfortable.
East, West - Single, double and triple rooms. East is co-ed by room; West is single sex by floor. The two original dorms, but they've been redone. Spacious rooms, very comfortable. East is substance-free.
Gatehouse - Doubles. Co-ed floors. Gatehouse used to suck, especially when it was triples. Can't really say how it is these days...
Curtis - Almost entirely doubles (there are some suites on the top). Co-ed floors. The rooms are a little cramped, but it's not bad. One of the newer buildings on campus. Decent.
What about bathrooms?
Public bathrooms on all floors. Freshman year, anyway. Sorry.
Academics
What classes are required?
Shame on you for not paying attention during the tour. There are four required courses:
- Western Traditions - Covers the classics, like Plato and The Odyssey.
- Challenge of Modernity - Covers the later stuff, like Karl Marx.
- Scientific Perspectives - Learn about some scientific question, and often ethics and other topics associated with it. Lots of options here.
- CORE Culture - A class on some culture around the world; there are usually a lot of different options for this.
In addition to this, you also need to take at least six classes, two from each of the three major divisions: natural sciences and math, social sciences, and humanities.
All of these classes vary depending on the professor teaching them. For example, my Traditions professor covered Aristotle, and no others do that anymore.
Is [your class here] a good class to take?
I don't know. Post on the community; someone will answer you.
How much will I spend on books?
Depends on the classes. You could spend $150, or you could spend $400. Prepare to spend at least $150.
How many classes can I take?
Usually, four. You can take five, but you need special permission for that. And you can take three, but you probably shouldn't unless you can afford having less credits.
What about computer equipment?
Bring whatever you like. Most people have laptops, but some (including myself) stick with towers. Basically all of the buildings on campus have wireless, so you can take your laptop wherever. Places like the Coop and the library have both wireless and wired ports, but carrying wires can be a pain.
You don't need to bring a printer, but it doesn't hurt to have one. Having one saves you the hassle of having to run to a computer lab every time you need to print something, but you may find yourself using the labs anyway. Personally, I prefer going to the labs to print out longer papers, and I use my printer for short papers.
Windows or Mac?
It's your preference; either works on campus. SOURCe supports both.
Is [your professor here] a good professor?
I don't know. Post on the community, or check on RateMyProfessors.com.
Social
What's the dress code?
Honestly, it's varied. You'll find people who flip the collars on their salmon pink polo shirts, people who wear a button-down shirt and slacks, and everything in between. Quite a few people fit into the first category (the 'preppies', if you like that word) but they're not the only ones at Colgate.
Colgate's a rich people school, isn't it?
Somewhat, but not like it used to be. There are quite a few people on campus with financial aid and other packages, but for the most part, people have money. It just varies on how much. An example: I remember a few faculty members talking about how three kids that attend the school drive Hummers.
Where does Colgate fall on the political spectrum?
Depends on who you ask. The school is definitely not hardcore liberal (think Brown), but it's also not extremely conservative. I guess it's middle of the road. Most colleges have a liberal lean, I suppose. Example - in Spring 2003, the College Republicans brought Ann Coulter to the school, and most of the people there were very angry with what she had to say. On the other hand, the Brothers brought Jesse Jackson.
Is Colgate a party school?
Almost everyone will tell you yes. But unlike some other schools, the kids aren't there just to drink. Most people are there to learn.
When are the party nights?
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
What's Colgate party scene like?
Most people will learn what the Jug is very, very quickly. It's a bar downtown, but on weekend nights, it's packed with mostly freshmen. Who get their grind on. Fact is, most people drink (or use other things...) on the weekends. The parties are packed. And the frats are always doing something. But not everyone does that stuff. There are (free) movies on the weekends, there's the Barge, and there's really anything else you can think of.
What kind of alcohol flows at Colgate?
This is the one thing that I never understood. Most of the kids have money, and yet they drink the cheapest beer in the history of beer. Keystone Light or Natural (Natty) Light are the big ones. For parties - especially birthdays - you may find hard liquor, but it's usually cheap stuff, like Kamchatka vodka. Whatever gets you messed up, I suppose.
Will Colgate suck if I don't drink?
I kinda answered this one two questions back, but I'll address it again. No, your experience won't be ruined if you don't drink. Plenty of people don't drink, and they still have a good time. Drinking is there for the people who want it. The social scene at Colgate is really what you make of it. Quoted from amatyultare: "It's true that there are plenty of nonalcoholic events at Colgate, but also, don't think just because you don't drink that you have to avoid any situation with alcohol. If you're okay with being around people who are drinking, you can go to any party (frat or otherwise) that you want, and have just as much fun as anyone else."
Is there a pressure to drink?
No. The most you'll get is someone saying, "Hey, there's beers over there." If nothing else, pressing you to have a beer just means there's one less beer for someone else to have.
Which are the good frats?
It depends on your perspective. Perhaps a brief rundown of all the frats is in order.
- Delta Upsilon (DU) - Second oldest frat on campus. Known for being the football frat. Their parties are supposed to be good, and their house is damn nice.
- Sigma Chi (Sig Chi) - The only frat with their house on the hill. Known for their Derby Days event, where lots of chicks create teams, get drunk for a few days, and compete in events.
- Theta Chi (Theta) - Known for their really crappy house. And for having parties that are totally packed.
- Phi Delta Theta (Phi Delt) - Known as the nice guy frat. And for having a mechanical bull contest during Spring Party Weekend.
- Beta Theta Pi - (Beta) - Known for their Beta Beach Bash (someone check me on the name of that) party. Their four-year suspension ended last year.
- Phi Kappa Tau (Phi Tau) - After a hiatus of not existing on campus, Phi Tau allied back with its national organization and is back in force. Got their house back and everything. Watch out for their initiation, though...
Other frats:
- Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE, 'Deek') - Was the oldest frat on campus, until they were banned when they didn't want to sell their house to the school. Of course, that doesn't stop them from existing underground. Of all the DKE chapters in the world, they're the only ones to have the Mu Temple. As it's said, the temple is where they get their Delta brands. President Bush is a DKE - wonder where his brand is...
- Kappa Delta Rho (KDR) - Thrown off the campus in 2003 for hazing. Lots of kids protested in Admissions, but nothing came of it.
- Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) - I'm not sure if they were removed, or just suspended for awhile. I was told some story about strippers, but the official reason for them getting removed was because they kept fighting, and some kids went to the emergency room.
Sororities (sorry, I don't know them well):
- Kappa Alpha Theta (Theta) - Reputation for being very uppity. Rich white girls, that sort of thing.
- Delta Delta Delta (Tri-Delt) - If memory serves, they do a lot of community service.
- Gamma Phi Beta - Good kids.
- Kappa Kappa Gamma (Kappa) - The Kappas are a mixed bag - some are decent, and others can be less so.
Will I need (semi-)formal clothing?
Yes. Freshmen go to the Convocation during orientation, which is a dinner on the field, followed by a walk up the hill and speeches. And there are events during the year that you'll want to dress up for. I'm writing this during the summer, so I don't know if there's a freshman formal being planned for this year or not. But there are other events that may warrant you getting pretty.
Money
What's the deal with getting a job on campus?
Some people get jobs on campus. Some more tech-savvy people work at SOURCe, where they fix other people's computers. Other people work at the Barge, or for the academic departments. The Writing Center, for example, is a place for peer review on papers.
I work in SOURCe, where I fix people's computers. Other people work for media services, which involves working projectors and whatnot. Unlike other schools, you won't find students working in the dining halls.
Can I work in Admissions?
If you want, sure. But leading tours and the like is volunteer only. They usually ask you to start by answering questions with people in Admissions, and in a semester or two, you'll lead tours.
How much money should I put on my GateCard?
You need to figure that out for yourself. Here's a list of things you could use your GateCard for:
- Laundry. You will need money on your card for laundry. All the washing machines and dryers take GateCard only. No quarters.
- Buying stuff. The C-Store in the Coop, the Bookstore, and a few other stores in town take the GateCard. But not all do; you need cash for some places.
- Food. Donovan's Pub and the Coop takes GateCard (as well as meal plans and cash). Other places, like Maxwell's and Slices, accept the Card. The vending machines on campus also accept the GateCard.
Be warned! The GateCard is not as wonderful as it seems. Whenever you use the GateCard in a store that's not on campus, the school takes 5% off of the profit made. That's why not all the places take it - they lose cash on the deal. And if you want to take money off of your GateCard, the school charges you some value per dollar. (I forget how much.)
Getting Around
Should I have a car?
A good question. Having a car never hurts, but it's not required. First off, there's the Cruiser. It runs every so often (it's supposed to be fifteen minutes, but that never happens) and it'll take you all around town - including the supermarket. And unless you're planning on going to Utica or Syracuse every weekend, you really don't need a car. If nothing else, become friends with someone that has a car. :]
I have a friend that goes to school at [college]. I'll get to see them, right?
That's up to you. Everyone has a lot of work to do all the time. Unless you can prioritize to the point where you have a completely free weekend, no, you really won't get a chance to see your friend. Sorry.
Weather
Is Colgate pretty?
Yes. Very.
When does it start getting cold?
Usually within a month of school starting.
When does it start snowing? How long does it snow for?
November, or so. And it pretty much goes on and off until March - but it can last longer. It snows lightly for days at a time, so the sky is always gray and overcast.
Other Stuff
Any relation to the toothpaste?
Somewhat. William Colgate was a manufacturer who started a soap company. He was also a devout Baptist, and gave money to the Baptist Education Society (Colgate's original name). That's why the school was renamed after him - because he gave them so much cash. Anyway, William Colgate was also a soapmaker. His company, Colgate & Company, started making toothpaste after he died, but the name has lived on.
What phone service should I use at school?
My cell phone is Verizon, and that's the one I recommend. I get a strong signal almost all over Hamilton. Cingular has a place in town, and their service is pretty good. Not sure about the other companies, though.
What's the deal with the brothel law?
The brothel law, naturally, is just an urban legend. Sorry.
Can you swim in Taylor Lake?
No. The lake is only a few feet deep, and it's really mucky on the bottom. You can jump in if you really want, but it's not recommended at all. The lake isn't radioactive, as most people would have you believe. And no, there is no car in Taylor Lake.
Why is there a swim test?
There isn't - it was abolished as of 2005.
Why is there a Colgate Cruiser?
A few years ago, a guy got wasted at a frat party and offered to drive a few people up the hill. They never made it. The frat was suspended for awhile, and the Cruiser was enacted as an option for driving drunk. Jeff Fein's article in the Maroon News has more.
Did Broken Lizard really graduate from Colgate?
Yes! Broken Lizard, the five guys that made Supertroopers and Club Dread, graduated from Colgate. Their first movie, Puddle Cruiser, was filmed at Colgate. In the spring '04 semester, they came to Colgate and had a showing of Club Dread before it was released in theaters. During their time at Colgate, they formed Charred Goosebeak, an improv comedy troupe that still regularly performs.
Did Walter Cronkite really say that?
I've done a little research on it, and as far as I know, he did. For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, Walter Cronkite supposedly said the following:
"There are two places in the world I wouldn't want my daughter to be ... Vietnam and Colgate during Spring Party Weekend." -- Walter Cronkite, 1972
Did Colgate really get into Playboy?
Yes. In 2002, Colgate received an honorable mention in Playboy's top party schools list. For more information, check out this site.
last updated 2008.07.28.