College is less like the movies and a lot closer to real life, and most of those myths you've probably heard have been passed down from older students just trying to scare or fool freshmen.
Like, here's one: Sororities are strictly regulated due to brothel laws.
As the legend goes, sorority houses at some campuses are limited because outdated laws against prostitution houses prohibit five unrelated women from living together. But the area around the campus is littered with sorority houses. And a quick search of the City of Gainesville Code of Ordinances shows no law prohibiting any gathering of women.
Another: A psychic predicted murders on a college campus on national TV, and it came true.
Nope. First off, who believes in psychics anyway? But on a serious note, in 1990, Danny Rolling murdered five college students, four from UF and one from Santa Fe. The murders became known as the "Gainesville Ripper" killings and served as the inspiration for the movie "Scream."
And lastly, there's: If a virgin graduates from UF, a brick falls out of Century Tower.
I'm not saying this one is true, but it looks like all the bricks are still in place. Draw your own conclusions.
This story originally ran on page 19 on 8/14/2013 under the headline "Don't believe everything you hear"
