A giant sandwich, mysterious Chimemasters, and freshmen getting pelted with food—they’re all part of some of the unusual traditions of New York colleges.
Donning the college colors, singing the rallying songs, getting swept up in a big game or campus event, and, of course, participating in traditions passed down from generation to generation—they are all part of something special that cannot be articulated unless you are a part of them. College traditions can be something to be proud of, even when they are a little, well, less than traditional.
Here are some of the college traditions students at New York schools engage in that may leave you wondering how they got started, and why they continue. And yes, one does involve breaking a curse with an acorn.
1. They guess the length of a giant sub sandwich
School: Barnard College
Barnard College’s “Big Sub” tradition is exactly what it sounds like: a very, very big sub sandwich designed for all of campus to enjoy. The tradition started in 2000, when the college kicked off the fall semester by serving up a sub so large that it was topped with 90 pounds of meat, 120 pounds of vegetables, 80 pounds of lettuce, and a whopping 140 pounds of tomatoes.
The sub is made on-site in Barnard College’s dining services, and takes over a week (and dozens of staffers) to assemble. Students are invited to guess the final length of the sub as part of a fun add-on tradition for merch and bragging rights. What’s interesting is that, according to the college, no one truly knows why or how the tradition started, but it is one that is still going strong. So if you have a student heading to Barnard this fall, be sure to tell them to come hungry!
2. They indulge in a 160-foot-square strawberry shortcake
School: New York University
We’re sensing a theme to some of these New York college traditions involving food, and this one from New York University (NYU) sounds equally delicious. Each spring, NYU students enjoy the annual Strawberry Fest, a day full of art, music, and all things strawberry.
NYU students on the school’s Program Board plan the event, which features games, live music, artwork, food, and a giant 160-square-foot strawberry cake. Honestly, I may just need to visit to taste-test for myself. You know, for research purposes.
3. They build a massive dragon and parade it around campus
School: Cornell University
Dragon Day at Cornell University is kind of a big deal—and for good reason. Because where else can you see a massive, student-designed-and-constructed dragon parade on campus? The event is so popular that it even has its own Instagram, @dragondaycornell.
The 125-year-old-and-still-going-strong tradition is orchestrated by freshman architecture students, who design and build the dragon. The event celebrates the students’ teamwork and community focus. Each year also features a new theme that reflects an architectural vision; last year’s was “Veiled,” which utilized special tensile fabric over a frame. The entire campus is invited to the parade, which is typically held in early spring.
4. They sit on a kissing bench
School: Syracuse University
Students at Syracuse University have a “foolproof” way to ensure that they are able to find lifelong happiness with a partner—all they have to do is be sure to lay a kiss on their beloved while sitting on the “Kissing Bench” located on campus.
The Kissing Bench dates back to 1912, when it was gifted by that year’s graduating class. Today, it sits by the Hall of Languages. Legend says that while the bench will work its powers to ensure a swift walk down the aisle for lovers, it also has magical properties for single people. If you happen to sit on the bench all alone, you will remain single.
5. They shower freshmen with flowers
School: Vassar College
Vassar College has a long history of welcoming freshmen onto campus in a unique way. Known as “Serenading,” upperclassmen would pelt incoming freshmen with an assortment of different foods. The freshmen were paraded around campus, making stops at all the dorms, where their older student peers would throw various food items of their choice at them. Some of the food tokens included choice menu items such as Kool-Aid, whipped cream, flour, mustard, and even meat.
As one might guess, the tradition has evolved to be a little more welcoming over the years, and today’s modern version includes freshmen receiving beautiful flowers and being serenaded with music instead. Oh, and there is still food—it’s just not being thrown at anyone anymore!
6. They search for a hidden owl
School: Columbia University
Incoming Columbia University freshmen with aspirations to become their graduating class valedictorian will want to make a beeline to the campus’s Alma Mater statue for one specific goal: to be the first to spot the owl hidden within the statue’s skirt folds.
Campus lore states that the first freshman to find the now 123-year-old owl will go on to become the class valedictorian. Prior to that tradition, it is also alleged that when the campus was strictly male-only, the legend held that the first freshman to find the owl would also find a wife.
7. They have a giant scavenger hunt on campus
School: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a private research university overlooking the Hudson River, has a campus-wide “shutdown” every year to prepare for its annual tradition of hosting a Grand Marshal Week. Academics are suspended for the duration of the event, so students can participate in games, compete to win prizes, and enjoy festivities such as airbrush tattoos, food, and even hands-on crafts.
Part of the fun also includes a campus-wide scavenger hunt. Students rush around campus finding clues in an effort to be the first to “solve” the puzzle and win raffle tickets and baseball caps.
8. They play mysterious chimes
School: Syracuse University
Students at Syracuse University are treated to surprise musical performances by the Crouse Chimes, a set of 14 bronze bells that have been on the campus since 1889. The chimes are controlled by wooden levers and can also be operated by people called “Chimemasters” who climb a wooden tower to reach them.
The identities of which students or staff are Chimemasters are kept secret, as are the times the chimes will be played. However, students can expect to be treated to the school’s traditional fight song on special occasions, such as big game days or holidays. But the exact timing of the performances is still always kept strictly secret.
9. They celebrate Friday the 13th
School: Colgate University
For some people, Friday the 13th is considered a day of bad luck, but students and faculty at Colgate University take a different approach and celebrate the day instead. Whenever Friday the 13th rolls around on the calendar, “Colgate Day” is held as a campus-wide celebration, full of campus events and activities, special 13% off discounts for students on merch and Colgate gear, and of course, overall superstitious good luck.
The tradition of celebrating Friday the 13th dates back to the university’s history of being founded on 13 Oak Drive by 13 men, who together had 13 dollars, 13 prayers, and 13 articles to form the school. The school’s ZIP code also happens to begin with 13, and the school’s motto has exactly 13 letters. Even alumni are invited to continue celebrating Colgate Day after graduation by wearing their Colgate gear and sharing their fun on social media.
10. They practice arch avoidance
School: New York University
It may not be rooted in any sound reason or logic, but upperclass students from New York University may warn students coming onto campus to avoid walking underneath the famous nearby Washington Square Arch. Students are told of the tradition rooted in the superstition that if an NYU student walks under the arch at any point during their studies, they will not graduate.
Students have reported walking under the arch and still managing to walk at graduation, but other students say it’s a risk not worth taking. But not to worry—once students have safely graduated, they can take a celebratory walk under the arch!
11. They break a curse with an acorn
School: Rochester University
In a similar tradition, students at Rochester University avoid walking under the clock tower located in Dandelion Square (dandelions are the school’s official flower, which is where the name comes from). Legend says that if a student does walk under the clock tower, something bad will happen to them.
However, there is hope for the unlucky student who happens to wander under the clock tower unknowingly: Tossing an acorn at the school’s outdoor statue of George Eastman and landing the acorn on his hat will break the “curse.”
12. They paint an underground tunnel
School: Rochester University
When they are not busy throwing acorns at statues or carefully avoiding walking under the clock tower, students at Rochester University can also spend their time participating in the annual tradition of painting one of the many underground tunnels that run underneath the campus.
The underground tunnels, located in several different areas of campus, were constructed in the 1930s to help students and staff navigate campus in the freezing cold New York winters. There are tunnels connecting the eastern side of campus, residential areas, and the medical and science buildings. Student organizations paint the Eastman Quad tunnel every year with different themes and messages for students.
13. They eat breakfast at midnight
School: Barnard College
Does it feel like a perfect night to eat breakfast at midnight? At Barnard College, it certainly does, especially during finals week. Each year, the college’s staff and administration stay up late and serve students cramming for finals a free breakfast in the campus dining hall.
Students line up between study breaks for breakfast favorites like pancakes, bacon and eggs, and of course, coffee. Sometimes, the midnight breakfast even includes a karaoke session to sing away some final-induced stress.
