The Chronicle

Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News
Last update: 2/25/08 at 6:30 AM EST

Media Credit: Pete Kiehart UNC students take shots at Goodfellas in Chapel Hill. Some UNC students say Franklin Street bars are one part of a diverse social scene there including many off-campus options.

Media Credit: Pete Kiehart Partygoers attend an '80s-themed electronic music party at Blend on Rosemary Street, an example of the diverse nightlife opportunities available in Chapel Hill.

Those looking to diversify the social options available to Duke students in and around campus may find an unlikely model 10 miles down Tobacco Road.

The social scene at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is perhaps the only asset of the school that entices the envy of some Duke students.

UNC's combination of greek life, the perks of a major college town and a vibrant arts district make the social scene at the university suited to many different tastes, students said.

In contrast, the town-gown divide coupled with the prominence of greek and selective living group-affiliated events do not allow for the same breadth of options at Duke.

Nestled in the heart of Chapel Hill, UNC's North Campus is minutes away from both the restaurant-and-bar-lined Franklin Street and the sprawling greek houses of Fraternity Court.

Many UNC students said the proximity to the attractions of the city as well as to university-affiliated parties and events provide ample choices for the weekends.

"At night there will be just as many people on Franklin Street... as there are wandering around Frat Court," UNC sophomore Cindy Wang said. "It just depends on what your interests are."

At Duke, students said the limited entertainment options in Durham give greek organizations and selective living groups a monopoly over the social scene.

"Most of the things that are put on [at Duke] are either sponsored by greeks or selective groups at section parties and on Central," said Duke sophomore Kevin Tolson. "Ninth Street doesn't really compare to Franklin."

In addition, UNC students also said they feel safe to venture into and explore Chapel Hill. Recent crimes around Duke's campus have raised concerns that Duke students may not feel the same level of comfort in Durham.

"UNC is definitely a part of the community," said Faraaz Khan, a UNC sophomore and Robertson Scholar who is spending the spring semester at Duke. "The whole Chapel Hill community loves UNC, and you're much more free to go out."

Many UNC students said the availability of restaurants, bars, clubs and theaters takes the emphasis off solely greek-affiliated events.

"I would say Carolina is much more geared towards independents [than Duke]," said Duke sophomore Annie Schetinnikova, who added that she frequently visits friends from Chapel Hill on weekends.

Even with the appeal of stately fraternity and sorority houses equipped with their own cooks, only 16 percent­ of undergraduates at UNC-2,652 out of 16,256 students-are greek-affiliated, according to numbers compiled by the UNC Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life in Spring 2007. At Duke, approximately 37 percent of undergraduates are involved in fraternities and sororities.

"I don't think [greek life] dominates on campus," said UNC freshman Catherine Mitchell, a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. "It's more of something that's completely optional."

The ability of other UNC campus organizations, from the Persian Cultural Society to Nourish International, to host successful parties off campus also provides alternatives to the greek social scene, many students said.

Despite the smaller percentage of UNC students who are affiliated, however, some UNC students said the greek presence is still highly visible, with fraternities sometimes hosting exclusive events.

"[Greek life] is a pretty big thing at UNC," said UNC sophomore Heather Minchew. "But at the same time, the houses are off-campus. You don't really feel left out unless you choose to. [My friends and I] have never had a problem finding things to do."

UNC fraternities monitor how many males enter their parties and charge per cup for alcohol, discouraging some from attending, students said.

Schetinnikova said she preferred greek and selective living-affiliated events at Duke, as they are more open and welcoming to the entire campus.

"[UNC's frat parties] have pretty messed up [gender] quotas," she said. "If you're a guy, you need to bring in a lot of girls to get in."

Many students at Duke and UNC said, however, that any city is only as good as what you make of it.

"[Your social life] is really up to you," Khan said of both universities. "It's always your option in what you do and the group of friends that you have and that you hang out with."

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