Editor’s note: Students from both Union and other universities were interviewed to collaborate on this article.
Q: What does the term ‘Ring by Spring’ mean to you?
A1: “Ring by spring means that the boy has proposed before or at the beginning of the spring of senior year, basically with enough time to plan a wedding by the summer. It’s extremely common. I’ve even heard my professors say it.” (Elise Watkins, sophomore public relations major, Union University)
A2: “Never heard of it.” (Andrew Austin, sophomore economics major, University of Georgia)
Q: How would you describe the typical dating/relationship process at your school?
A1: “You like somebody, get to know them better, and then it gets serious.” (Angela Jacks, freshman intercultural studies major, Union University)
A2: “Not many people are looking for relationships in college, and if they are, it’s usually not serious.” (Haley Proffitt, freshman chemistry major, Ole Miss)
Q: What characteristics do you look for in a significant other?
A1: “Godly, gentle, responsible, assertive and playful.” (Angela Jacks, freshman intercultural studies major, Union University)
A2: “Just someone who I get along with well and is just all around fun to be with.” (Matt Moore, sophomore agricultural business major, University of Arkansas)
Q: How do students on your campus usually meet before they start dating?
A1: “It really all just depends on the setting. For instance, my freshman year, everybody in my Focus Group was a couple. I didn’t realize that until we played a game, and everybody automatically knew who their partner was. I was thinking to myself, ‘We’ve only been here for 15 minutes!’” (Dominique Willingham, junior broadcast journalism major, Union University)
A2: “A lot is at events like sorority functions. Not really in classes as much.” (Andrew Austin, sophomore economics major, University of Georgia)
Q: What does a date night out look like at your school?
A1: “Boys at Union, from what I have observed, normally start out super small: ‘Let’s grab coffee at Barefoots and finish that conversation?’ or ‘Do you want to have dinner in Cobo with me?’ These are normal first steps.” (Elise Watkins, sophomore public relations major, Union University)
A2: “A typical date night is going out to the bars or to a fancy dinner on the square. “ (Haley Proffitt, freshman chemistry major, Ole Miss)
Q: What do you think about couples that get engaged or married by the time they graduate?
A1: “I think getting engaged your senior year is a natural step in the dating progression if you are both prepared for that moment. I proposed to my girlfriend before she graduated so that we would both have some certainty about our future before she got her degree. It is cliché, but many times the semester before graduation is extremely stressful and intimidating. Our engagement helped settle both of our fears about the future.” (Stephen Hauss, senior business administration major, Union University)
A2: “I think it’s wild. I don’t understand why they can’t wait to get settled in the post-college life.” (Courtney Bailey, freshman foreign language major, University of Memphis)
Q: How high on your list of priorities is finding a future spouse while in college?
A1: “As a freshman, I would say it was low on my list. I dated my fiancé for two and a half years before I proposed, so my perspective on that changed as I got further into school. Within my own dating relationships, I found that dating a person that I thought could be a future spouse was important.” (Stephen Hauss, senior business administration major, Union University)
A2: “I’d like to meet my future spouse at college but if I don’t here it’s not the end of the world.” (Matt Moore, sophomore agricultural business major, University of Arkansas)
Q: At your particular school, do you feel pressured to be engaged or married by the time you graduate?
A1: “Not until I’m walking back to my dorm, and I see couples lined down the sidewalk.” (Dominique Willingham, junior broadcast journalism major, Union University)
A2: “Not at all. I don’t hear people talking about this too much. My group of friends at school never talk about this. Even if they did, I would think it was way crazy.” (Courtney Bailey, freshman foreign language major, University of Memphis)
