ATHENS, OHIO – Ohio University has earned a reputation that doesn’t exactly please its officials. According to Playboy magazine, the academic facility is one of its “Top 10 Party Schools” – and its co-eds will be among those featured in an upcoming spring nude pictorial in Playboy magazine.Because of this distinction, Athens, Ohio will receive a visit from the softcore adult magazine during the first three days of this week while its staff searches for appropriately party-rific female Bobcats 18 years of age or older who are deemed worthy of a photo deal that includes at least partially nude shots.

Playboy has released a number of themed issues over the years, including those with collegiate photos that tie-in to athletic conferences and party-school rankings. Ohio University officials have expressed displeasure at the distinction in spite of the fact they are trying to increase in- and out-of-state student enrollment and their college will be listed alongside such luminaries as the University of Wisconsin; the University of California, Santa Barbara; McGill University in Montreal, Quebec; the University of Georgia; Arizona State University; the University of Tennessee; Indiana University; Florida State University; and San Diego State University.

The famous cheesecake publication is not the first to notice Ohio University’s highly social environment. Earlier in the year, the Princeton Review scored Ohio University as the second best party school in the country, behind the University of Wisconsin.

Nonetheless, a statement released by Ohio University scoffs at the standards by which each publication reached its conclusions.

“The rankings used by Playboy are even more unscientific than those utilized by the Princeton Review, with a virtual absence of quantified measures. Ohio University offers an exceptional educational experience, and it is unfortunate if these types of rankings should taint its image,” officials stated in a release distributed Friday that included irregular grammar. Further, the release stated that, “We encourage our students to be thoughtful and carefully consider the possible long-term ramifications of the decisions they make.”

Jack Jeffrey, a representative for the university, does not believe that Playboy intends to use any campus property for photographic purposes or in order to meet students. To the best of Jeffrey’s knowledge, the magazine has never contacted the university concerning space availability or use.

Students that hope to appear in the May 2006 issue of Playboy must be enrolled at least part-time and those unable to attend scheduled casting calls may submit their photos directly to the magazine. More information can be gained by visiting www.Playboy.com.