Georgetown has spoken. (Er … voted.) Closing Georgetown’s once-upon-a-time, on-campus bar, the Pub, was the worst idea the University has had. Ever!

“Revising the alcohol policy” and “selling WGTB’s radio license” finished in second and third place, respectively.

Let’s recap the University’s terrible, awful, despicable decision to close the Pub:

Healy Hall was once the center of student life on campus, with the student-run Pub serving as its drunken core. The Pub was a ‘sticky, smelly, sweaty, time-of-your-life,’ one former manager said. [...]

It won praise year after year as the best college bar in America, but slowly went bankrupt in the late 1980s after a new alcohol policy forced its student managers to host a dry night once a week. Although the Pub was reborn in the newly-completed Leavey Center, Vice President of Student Affairs James A. Donahue closed the bar for good during the 1994-1995 academic year.

R.I.P. Pub. We wish we had the pleasure of knowing you.

We’ve run the gauntlet of Georgetown’s worst ideas. We argued over party fuck-ups, embarrassing alumni, property mistakes, and hell, we even let your suggestions duke it out. (Congrats to “hoyaalum” for winning the wonderfully appropriate prize—a Georgetown shot glass.)

Let’s get serious now. It’s time to choose Georgetown’s worst-ever idea, which will live in infamy for generations to come. We’ll keep the polls open for a week—let’s finish this.

As always, Vox readers came through with some fantastic submissions. (And we learned that you’re a terribly cynical bunch!) You’ll find our favorites below, with a little bit of background info added to help you along.

Closing the Pub

Its hushed halls now home to the president’s bureaucracy and a handful of exclusive administrator offices, Healy Hall was once the center of student life on campus, with the student-run Pub serving as its drunken core. The Pub was a “sticky, smelly, sweaty, time-of-your-life,” one former manager said—a place where you could get trashed any night of the week you pleased on 50-cent beer in the relative safety of an on-campus establishment.

Occasionally, you might have spotted the bar’s faculty adviser, then Dean of Students John DeGioia, imbibing at the counter. It won praise year after year as the best college bar in America, but slowly went bankrupt in the late 1980s after a new alcohol policy forced its student managers to host a dry night once a week. Although the Pub was reborn in the newly-completed Leavey Center, Vice President of Student Affairs James A. Donahue closed the bar for good during the 1994-1995 academic year.

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After wallowing for five years as the 23rd best in the eyes of U.S. News and World Report, Georgetown is moving on up to the 21st spot.

For those who thrive on the arbitrary, possibly-rigged system, Georgetown’s bump in the U.S. News and World Report college rankings is a long-awaited victory, demonstrating the University’s academic strength and successes. (The rankings are calculated by “data sets,” including “academic reputation, graduation and retention rates, class size, selectivity, financial aid, alumni giving and faculty resources.”)

And if that’s not enough, high school counselors think Georgetown is the 6th best college in the country.

“Georgetown is pleased that we maintained strong rankings for our undergraduate programs and especially appreciate the input of high school counselors in this effort,” President John DeGioia said in a press release.

Make no mistake—we love Georgetown. But, we think these rankings encourage people to look for recognition in the wrong places. We don’t need U.S. News and World Report to tell us that our school is great, and neither do you.

On the other hand … suck it, Syracuse!

We’re not finished with college rankings yet? Guh.

Last week, Forbes reported that Georgetown has the second-most expensive dorms in the country. And what do students get for a measly $12,750?

“[A room] in one of four brick high-rises that resemble the aging, cramped spaces parents may remember from their own college days.”

During the 2010-2011 academic year [PDF], residence costs will range from $8,014 to $9,646. (Meal plans will cost $1,226 to $4,468.) The charges mark a 10 percent rise in room and board charges over the past three years.

But look on the bright side—Forbes ranked Georgetown as the 52nd best college in the country! Hurray for subjectivism!

Photo by Flickr user “neubie” used under a Creative Commons license.

We can’t believe we almost missed Princeton Review‘s college rankings!

Every year, we use the college rankings to remind ourselves that Georgetown’s politically active students, surroundings, and study abroad program aren’t just the best in the country, but also kick the ever-loving shit out of other colleges.

Wait … what?

NOOO!

Forget everything we just said. Only dumb schools, like American, Columbia, and Goucher College tie up their hopes and dreams into something as profoundly silly as arbitrary ranking systems.

Besides, everybody knows the U.S. News & World Report is better.