intained by each of that institution's members. Colleges and Universities are no exception to the rule. Peter Berger stated that "Violence is the ultimate foundation of any political order"(69). At the same time "penultimate means of coercion are more important for more people most of the time" (Berger 70-1), meaning that those methods of social control which usually proceed violence, are those which are more frequently utilized, as well as more successful in the maintenance of social order. For this reason there exists residence advisors, a Code of Student Conduct, The Office of Residence Life, The Office of Judicial Affairs, and University Police.Berger also mentions "the mechanisms of persuasion, ridicule, gossip, and opprobrium [isolation]" (71) as means of social control. Although these three mechanisms would be those utilized most frequently among the students themselves, they are no less powerful in determining self expression than those tactics used by university administration. He states that " What lies at the bottom of this apparently inevitable pressure towards [conformity] is probably a profound human desire to be accepted, presumably by whatever group is around to do the accepting" (Berger 72). Therefore we find negative generalizations and stereotypes placed on different and separated groups of individuals (i.e. Western Campus students and Main Campus students) for the purpose of elevating one's own campus standing or academic circumstances. Along with the pressures to conform and a profound desire to belong, we see the success of fraternities and sororities, college sports, bands and choirs, and the high level of student involvement in many other non-academic organizations on campus.The most obvious attribute of colleges and universities is the chance presented to students at fulfilling personal goals. Their potential to help shape the identities of and clarify some sense of self for students, is the unlimite...
