Eight pick a mate, nine bust a rhyme. As many college students know, these are some of the rules for the drinking game “”king’s cup,”” which is a popular way to lose one’s dignity at a party.

According to a 2006 survey conducted by the Princeton Review, the UA ranks as the No. 18 party school in the U.S. The Princeton Review findings were subjective and were based on a survey that asked students about their alcohol and drug use, number of hours spent studying each day and the overall popularity of the greek system at their university. Some students said the result seems accurate, but drinking is not an issue if you know how to balance work and play.

James Blick, a criminology senior, said when his out-of-state friends come to visit, they always ask about the UA’s reputation for being a party school.

“”They all think we party pretty hard, so when they come to visit, we make sure that they have a good time,”” said Blick, who said he goes out two or three nights a week to drink socially with his friends.

“”There’s usually no occasion,”” Blick said. “”Thursdays mean drink specials at O’Malley’s, and on the weekend I go out to have fun for the end of the week.””

Ellie Hausman, a dance sophomore, said she goes out with her friends almost every weekend.

“”I usually drink with my friends just to kick back and relax, and try not to think about school,”” Hausman said.

Despite Blick and Hausman’s weekend escapades, both said partying doesn’t affect their school work. Neither let partying get in the way of their academic pursuits or jobs.

“”Work always comes first,”” Hausman said.

Both students said they are responsible enough to set limits for themselves so that they will be able to recall the previous night’s activities.

“”Normally, I can go to class the next day and function as a human being,”” Blick said.

Scott Cason, director of marketing at the Office of Enrollment Management, said he thinks students’ partying has an overall neutral net effect on freshman enrollment.

“”We stress our academics and our status as a great value as a top university to prospective students,”” Cason said. “”We try to bring students together for intellectual and cultural pursuits. Some could be attracted by that reputation, while others might be turned off by it.””

Hausman said she considered not attending the UA due to the reputation as a party school, but she learned that setting limits is the best way not to be affected by a party environment.

Coronado Residence Hall also has a reputation for being the “”party dorm”” or “”nine floors of whores,”” but hall directors are trying to change that as well.

Jake Kasper, graduate complex director for Coronado, said he believes the hall has been successful in attempting to break that reputation by trying to create a strong community for residents.

“”We strived to eliminate that reputation,”” Kasper said. “”We want residents to feel safe and inclusive in the community.””

Cason said the Coronado staff is trying to develop the residents as students while still allowing them to have good social lives.

Still, Kasper said there have been incidents where some residents have been caught drinking in their dorm rooms and were upset because they thought partying was allowed at Coronado.

In the words of Wayne, “”Party on.””