Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

Students react to Markham’s “ZooMass” song

The University of Massachusetts has a reputation for being New England’s leading institution in drinking and partying. One might recall the riots breaking out in Southwest when the Red Sox won the World Series. But is the image of “ZooMass Slamherst” accurate or an exaggeration? UMass administration would certainly like to distance the school from the image. Many students consider it a badge of honor.

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One such student, named Paul Markham, is so proud that he’s made a video about it. It’s called “Welcome to the Zoo,” and it features Markham and his buddies rapping about the wonders of UMass. Those wonders do not include the height of the DuBois library.

The chorus conveys his message perfectly: “Welcome to the Zoo where we drink beer/Getting messed up/We still think clear.” The video is meant to be an “anthem” to the Zoo’s partying prowess. It’s filled with lots of in-jokes that UMass students might appreciate: Complaining about having to walk to Marcus, hung-over trips to Berkshire on a Sunday afternoon and the notorious “hoedowns at Hobart.”

The video, directed by Ryan Weitz, was shot on campus – primarily on the bike path between Bartlett and Herter, but occasionally cutting to a party scene. Perhaps in spite of its content, the video itself is undeniably well produced. If you look past the entourage of posturing white guys, you can see how nice the campus looks in the fall. Markham’s crew is proudly dressed in “UMass F***in Amherst” shirts. Markham, a UMass junior, declares that he’s had the “time of his life” here. It bears mentioning that the people in the video seem to be having a good time as well.

But students seem to be split about whether to laugh at or laugh with Markham and his buddies. The highest rated comment under the YouTube video reads “Literally the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever seen.” Ratings for the video were disabled by the account that posted it within 24 hours of its posting. UMass senior Seth Hapenny calls the video “awful.” Others find that Markham just wants to express how much fun he’s had at UMass.

There’s a concern that the video gives UMass students a bad name. People who watch it and do not attend the University will now associate UMass with an amateur rap video about drinking and partying. A representative from the University couldn’t be reached for comment, but it’s safe to assume that Paul Markham won’t be asked to perform at any open houses.

However, amidst all the bros and Solo cups, the video offers some positive factual trivia about the campus. As Markham points out in the chorus, “With 25,000 kids/Our campus is a city” and that “Potential employers/They love us.” These may both be true, but the boasts are slightly jarring when they come after the line “I’m in my room smokin’ weed/Now my throat hurts.”

There are students on campus that came to UMass because they wanted to go to a party school, and there are students who came to UMass because they wanted an affordable education at a highly-ranked public university. In many ways, it is as if there are actually two schools. Both groups of people are happy with the school they attend, but for different reasons expressed in different ways.

Markham, who makes the questionable decision of informing listeners that he lives at 33 Phillips Street in his song, has posted other videos on YouTube. One of them is called “UMass Tailgate,” which is along the same lines of “Welcome to the Zoo,” but with a more parking lot-centric aesthetic. Try as some of us might, the image of UMass as a party school is hard to shake off.

But if anybody asks, you can always say you attended the university where Julius Erving received his doctorate.

Danny Marchant can reached at [email protected].

 

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  • C

    Class of 2005Jul 28, 2012 at 7:05 am

    Anyhow, seeing this guy’s video is a bag of mixed feelings. (But I do give him props. Job well done). As Ashlix said “learning to be responsible” means a lot more than just a song. UMass will always be the center of attention for producing drunks. Look, the riots going on now are filled with undercover cops. Back in my days I have seen some very sick things happen. This is nothing! UMass riots have gotten better. I do not see windows smashed, couches on fire, property vandalized, etc. Look I partied my behind off. But bottom line, I finished with two majors in four years, and a high GPA. What’s better is English is my second language. Every student has a choice, and has to learn how to manage their time. It’s this simple. UMass just like every other school(institution) in USA have the same story and the same problem. Take this for example. When a student is in control of their parents for 18-years, is the same as dog in chains for 18-years. When you unleash a dog, it will run around like crazy not knowing what to do. The same goes for students. They don’t have parents to ground them, and slap them for their mistakes. Whatever, administration says or does UMass will always remain the same. Every year when I return, I feel at home. UMass will always be my home.

    Much Love,
    K.K.

    Reply
  • A

    AshlixMar 11, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    As an alumni of the school, I can’t name the amount of times I have to correct people who think all I did was drink at UMass. Yes, I did a lot of drinking, but I did a LOT of cramming for exams, budgeting my money, laundry, walking to classes and learning to be a responsible adult. Yes, the video does show a great campus in the fall, but it does not help with adding to the value of our degree post graduation.

    Reply
  • J

    johnNov 2, 2011 at 3:09 am

    IT’s not so much that Umass has gained a reputation as a party school it’s that it’s remained the sole reputation replacing it’s academic reputation which has sadly declined the past decade. Videos like this are just inane and hurt the ability for graduates to gain employment.

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