I went to a party school and please, do not approach girls on campus. It looks awkward and most of the times, you will get a reputation as that creeper.
Are you saying this to a random non affiliated guy or to affiliated students?
I think the reputation thing might be a little overstated, especially at a public school with over 10,000 undergraduates. It'd be extremely difficult at a large state university to get a reputation. There are just too many people. Most students at large public universities are anonymous in general.
Then again, I didn't do random campus approaching while in undergrad. More of my approaching was at off campus parties. Some extracurricular club approaching.
It's already anxiety inducing enough to talk to random girls and then to do it in an environment where you already have a strike against you? Forget about it.
It would be easier for students to do random campus approaches which is why I would recommend students do it while they have the chance to do so. Even for students, doing random campus approaches isn't as strong of a use of time as doing approaches in extracurricular clubs.
Instead, approach in places off campus where the girls usually would go to. Go to a cafe that women gather at or something of that nature. Trader Joes on a Sunday night or a grocery store is another good place.
If not that then just go to college bars that aren't too fratty. Better yet, get a second job at a college bar.
I didn't start to do grocery store approaching until after college. A grocery store near a university could be good. The pandemic has really put a dent in grocery store approaching with masks but I keep seeing fewer masks. I think a park near a university could be useful.
Bars near campus is a solid idea too under non pandemic times. I haven't been to any bars that are known to cater to the college crowd since the pandemic hit.
Here's the thing about undergraduates and bars. Undergrad is ages 18-21/22. The typical student doesn't turn 21 until some time in junior year. So you're only getting college women at the bars for their last roughly 1.5 years of the 4 years of campus. Depending on the city, you might have a better chance with 22-26 year old recent graduates in the bar scene.