St. Cloud State University

Reviews

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  I agree 100% with Joseph Reiter's opinion of this University. All of what he said is true. I graduated from SCSU in the Spring of 2015, so I can vouch for his opinion. This University is for "Worldly People" and Christian viewpoints are not accepted; these viewpoints include abstinence from sex and alcohol, pro-life, and being republican/conservative. I am a Christian and found living on campus very difficult. People thought and still continue to think the only sociable thing to do is drinking, partying, doing drugs, or having sex. The guys will not date you unless you want to have sex. Since I want to give my husband, someday, something that I can give no other man but him, I did not follow what most people did on the St.Cloud campus. It was hard for me to stand strong with this viewpoint, but I survived. This University is all about "tolerance" for every religion, but you all of a sudden "go-against-the-grain" when you have values and morals and want to stand-up for what you believe in, because people at St. Cloud don't want to hear about it. So, this University contradicts itself. Religion is not talked about in open conversations on campus and is frowned upon, which is sad when it is an important topic for many people to talk about, and yet this University claims to "accept" all people. I do not force my beliefs on other people, because I think that would be morally wrong, and yet when I'd talk to others openly about my faith or being a Christian, because this is my identity, it was still frowned upon. What people choose to believe is their choice, all I can do is tell them my story and how much Jesus loves all of us, but after that It's all in their hands if they accept Him into their lives or not. If you are a person with personal beliefs, morals and values, and you want to do the supposed-to-be simple thing of sharing who you and what you believe in with others, this campus is not for you. I HIGHLY recommend you look elsewhere if you do. Even though there is CRU and other Christian outreach groups on campus, your chances of finding LASTING Christian friends is low. I transferred to this University, from Bethel University, as a sophomore and it is a shame that students here look at you funny if you say you had the time of your life doing EVERYTHING but drinking or going to parties with alcohol/drugs present. If people could get it through their heads that there are way more fun things to do with your time than to waste it drinking, partying, having sex or doing drugs, then this campus would have been a way better place to live. At Bethel University you feel like you are a part of a community of people who welcome you with open arms. And even if you weren't a Christian they would still accept you, no questions asked. There are lovely dances there that are comfy-casual, that are nothing like the awkward Middle School or High School dances but something that are highly looked forward to. The food is 10x better in the cafeteria at Bethel than in Garvey at St. Cloud. At Bethel is was not required to worship, like at other Christian campuses, but everybody would go because they WANTED to. Christmas Break was a lot longer at Bethel. Teachers prayed for you before exams and cheered you on to try your best. Not ONE of my teachers was rude or mean and I've had many mean teachers at St. Cloud. The teachers at Bethel were understanding, gave GREAT advice, were more flexible/forgiving, and were very kind. I felt as though I was part of a family at Bethel, and one that I could HIGHLY rely on, where-as at St. Cloud you fend for yourself. If I could have afforded to stay @ Bethel University I would have, but unfortunately as the oldest of 4 children - I had to prioritize and choose a school that my parents didn't have to pitch-in as much money and a school that helps me stay in less debt after college. If not for those reasons, I would not have gone to St. Cloud. If you are reading this message, I highly advise you look at another college or University. St. Cloud State is not a very welcoming place to live.
  By Samantha Johnson, December 15, 2017

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