Why do so many current students and alumni feel that they are linked together as essential parts of one far-reaching Tufts community? What makes the Tufts college experience so different from that of other comparable institutions? The answer is rooted in one word _ tradition.
| The Times, They are A'Changin' |
| Part One of Five |
As Tufts has evolved, so have its traditions. Decades ago, students did not paint the cannon, nor did they take part in the Naked Quad Run. One tradition that University students no longer take part in is Class Day. Begun in 1876, this event was customarily held several days prior to commencement. It was an opportunity for the graduating class to come together one last time, celebrating how far they had come.
In the late 19th century, students were required to attend chapel. The events of Class Day included the last chapel service that graduating students attended as a class. After the chapel service, the students typically got together for a luncheon. For some graduating students, Class Day held more even more significance than commencement itself.
University alumnus Frank E. Smith, whose diary entries have been preserved in a book entitled Very Fine Indeed! noted, "Every moment was of bliss to me. The day of my college life... I shall never forget this day."
Although Class Day is no longer celebrated, graduating seniors are able to feel the same sentiments through the "Light on the Hill" candle lighting ceremony. First performed upon matriculation into the University (or, in this year's case, several weeks into the fall semester), students repeat this ceremony on the President's lawn four years later. Like Class Day for the students of the late 19th century, today's candle lighting ceremony allows graduating students to reflect upon the culmination of their undergraduate experience.
In the early 20th century, many Tufts traditions sought to raise class spirit by promoting healthy competition between classes. Starting in 1905, freshmen and sophomores participated in "The Jam." Each class held a banquet, the aim of which was to stop members of the other class from going to their class banquet. In order to accomplish this, many students kidnapped members of the other classes, holding them hostage until the end of their banquet.
Furthermore, from the early 1920s into the late 1960s, freshmen wore an article of clothing that denoted them as underclassmen. Men traditionally wore "beanies", or small caps. In the earlier years of this tradition, if an upperclassman walked by, freshmen were to touch their caps out of respect.
At first, women enrolled in Jackson College wore green buttons to denote their freshman status. However, after many women protested that the buttons were harmful to their clothing, green bows took the place of buttons in 1931.
University alumnus Steve Simons (E '54) recalls wearing the "beanies" his freshman year at Tufts. To him, it was a way to show school pride, as the sections of his cap alternated between brown and blue.
Simons also looks back at the "Mayoralty Campaigns" as a tradition that greatly enjoyed by students of the past. The campaigns, which took place in the spring from the 1930s to the 1960s, focused on electing an unofficial "mayor" of the campus.
"The mayor was like a spirit leader for the campus," Simons said. "There were big parades where people dressed up according to the theme and then marched through campus."
Held a few weeks prior to finals, the Mayoralty Campaigns were an opportunity for students to relax and let off some steam. In recent years, Tufts students have been participating in another tradition that allows for them to take a break of sorts before finals set in.
Hosted by the West Hall dormitory, the Naked Quad Run is held on the eve of the first day of the reading period before fall semester finals. The Naked Quad Run attracts many students, despite _ or perhaps because of _ the fact that this tradition involves running around the academic quad unclothed in the bitter cold of winter.
Although many of the traditions observed in the early part of the century no longer exist, many traditions from the 1970s are still in place at the University. Senior Pub Nights at the Dewick-MacPhie Dining Hall began in 1977 to raise spirit in the senior class and offer entertainment to the graduating class. This year's Pub Night was held last Thursday.
Another tradition still celebrated today that started around the same time was the painting of the cannon. Given to Tufts by the city of Medford in 1956, the cannon is a replica of one from the USS Constitution. According to legend, it is pointed roughly in the direction of Harvard University. Since the late 1970s, students have used the cannon as a forum to display messages to the entire campus.
Other current campus traditions include Spring Fling, a major concert event that often attracts big musical and political names to the University campus. Kids Day is another more current tradition. Instituted by the Leonard Carmichael Society, it is a day during which elementary school children visit the University and enjoy a variety of activities, rides, and foods.
Even though the specific traditions students take part in have changed over the years, the same nature is at the heart of all these shifting traditions, Simons said. "The main importance of traditions is to raise spirit and cohesiveness in the campus. They get kids involved and working together."
