Lesley Rowland, a freshman communications major from Dallas, Texas and current student at the University of Tampa, is a blogger for Seventeen Magazine. She is a member of Seventeen’s new “Freshman Fifteen” class. These fifteen college freshman serve as first year advisers to the readers of Seventeen. They are expected to share their experiences as they learn and adjust to college life and to advise girls on balancing work and play, dating and staying in shape.
Rowland’s first appearance in the magazine was via a quote in the October issue. It was placed adjacent to a picture of her and stated, “I want to find my school’s ‘makeout point’ – and if they don’t have one, I’ll create my own!” This quote suggests a fun loving party girl who is more excited for college social life than academics and as such has sparked the question, do remarks like this add to our school’s rising reputation as a party school? In the magazine, Rowland is listed as a member of UT’s class of 2016. So, was the post appropriate? I believe that the post was acceptable and that it won’t have an effect on our school’s reputation.
Rowland is one individual writing for a stylized magazine. She is not your typical party girl and she told me during an interview that she submitted multiple things to Seventeen when asked to share her college goals. However, the magazine chose to use the quote about finding the ‘makeout point.’ Her reaction to the feature in the magazine was to laugh out loud. She declared that she found it hilarious because she understood what Seventeen was doing. The magazine has a specific style and Rowland understands her position in writing for them. Through her application and first quotes she fit a character type that Seventeen wanted to include, so she was portrayed as such because the editors of the magazine have the final say on what is published.
The magazine publishes different things in print than online. Rowland has a video post available on Seventeen’s website about her day at Busch Gardens during UT orientation, but that hasn’t attracted nearly as much attention as her feature in the October issue of the magazine. This video shows off her fun and adventurous side and a genuine part of her personality. Rowland enjoys blogging because she likes to be heard and she has already submitted several other posts to Seventeen. The topics she covers in them range from dorm life in a single room to a fun activity to do with friends. A picture and quote of hers are also expected to be featured in the November issue. I respect the fact that she intends to cover a wide variety of topics in her posts.
One part about writing for Seventeen that Rowland appreciates is that although they are casual about submission deadlines and aren’t pressing for new information all of the time, they do ask the Freshman Fifteen to touch on personal topics such as drinking on campus. Rowland believes that honesty is the best policy and writes accordingly. She admits that although she cringed a little after reading the description of herself that Seventeen had chosen to post on its website, she was not offended but rather amused. She is aware that all of the information that she submits to Seventeen is theirs to use. The possible reputation that the quote and description posted online may create for her does not bother her one bit, because she knows herself well. She states, “I am rather conservative, not necessarily on purpose, but I have a side that is fun and games and would “up my kiss count,” but you won’t find me doing the walk of shame.”
I respect Rowland’s attitude. She is confident in herself and understands that in college you and your habits are often exposed by living in such close proximity with other people and you have to be secure and break out of your shell. UT’s growing reputation as a party school didn’t reach her until after she had applied and decided to attend. She admits to coming to UT because she fell in love with the campus during a visit, but also described her nervousness upon hearing that the university was a place for people who love partying. I hadn’t heard of UT being a party school until recently. Based on my experience here I still wouldn’t consider it one, but according to reviews from past and present UT students on StudentsReview and Campus Confidential, the University of Tampa is indeed a party school in despite of being beautiful, friendly and enriching.
One student is not going to change the school’s reputation for better or worse. Besides, Rowland is a lovely young woman and intends to open up and show her full personality during the course of her writing for Seventeen. You shouldn’t judge her based on one published quote. She has many more posts to come, some of which she is really excited about. Rowland states, “I really take time to think about what I’m saying… it’s a challenge to pick a topic and go all out with it but I love it.”
Although you may soon be hearing about the make out spot she recently discovered (the docks behind the boathouse), her future posts will be fun, substantial and relevant to the freshman experience. Rowland is a girl intending to live life to the fullest. She is motivated to get out there and make friends.
We have nothing to be worried or upset about. Rowland is not going to embarrass the school; she is writing about her experience as a UT freshman. Her writings for Seventeen are not going to spark a mass of party animals to vie for a spot in the class of 2017.
Elaina Zintl can be reached at elaina.zintl@spartans.ut.edu