University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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Gfficiaily Unofficial Traditions on the University campus go beyond those in the brochure A college campus is a place based on, and steeped in, tradition. Most colleges have been in existence for several decades, and over the years have created unofficial traditions and legends exclusive to their campuses. The Univer- sity of Kansas was no exception. Within the history of the University, many traditions and practices could be found. Numerous customs were handed down throughout generations of students and many still exist to this day. ln the late 1800s and early 1900s, pranks and practical jokes abounded throughout campus. Competition between the two main student societies on campus, the Grophilian and Oread societies, consisted of practical jokes and mudslinging. These predecessors of the greek system competed for control of the campus. They discredited each other's student candidates with effigies and handouts during elections. Animosity between classes was also prevalent during the 1800s and 1900s. May 1, 1891, the sophomore class found a totem pole erected near the Kansas Union by the freshman and junior classes. The meaning was derogatory towards the seniors and sophomores, so they had it chopped down with an ax. Those respon- sible for the totem pole attempted to stop the cutting and the result was a full scale brawl involving all four classes. The fight lasted all morning and set the standard for years to come. For 12 years following, May 1 was known as Riot Day. The tradition was for two classes to team up against the others in a rumble that commonly lasted several hours. During this time, secret societies ran rampant as many independent and greek organizations were kept hidden from public notice. One example of a society was a group of men who wore badges with the initials T.C. embroidered on them, the purpose of the badges eluded people for several 22 Stuzfent L15 story by Tim Kilgriff t reat nrim.b2eirjoirpeopIe like .. ..- , ,I L-f a99'e5?i995'fbVf trashings??thgfQQd.orms. - Heathefrifitudson, Olathe senjiorjj months. lt was not until judge Nelson T. Stephens caught the group sitting down to a clandestine meal of stolen turkeys that their organization's mission was brought to light. The Turkey Catchers, as they called themselves, were responsible for the string of roast turkey thefts that had the Lawrence populace baffled. The greek system was not without their own black sheep. The infamous Theta Nu Epsilon, which started in 1892, resided at the University for 14 years before Chancellor Frank Strong kicked them off campus. Their exploits included illegal parties, publishing lewd pamphlets and burning their letters into the stadium grass. In 1907, after hosting a party, regardless of warnings from the administration, the fraternity was kicked off campus. How- ever, the Theta Nu Epsilon returned as a secret society the following year. Underground activities included numerous parties that outraged University officials. Despite this fact, Theta Nu Epsilon maintained their presence on campus for many years. Their last reported exploit was in the 1950s, at a Kansas Relays Parade on Massachusetts Street. A donkey was added to the procession with the letters TNE painted upon its side and a sign on its backside saying, They're trying to run our ass off campus. Greeks always have had traditions but occasionally a custom came along that was not in the bylaws of the organization. A student in the 1950's entering Strong Hall would have seen, perched on the steps, a large red dog. The dog, Sarge, belonged to the Sigma Nu house and traveled to campus every day at 8 a.m., where he stayed until late afternoon. His other activities involved swimming in Potters lake and attending sports events. For 14 years Sarge completed this ritual until finally passing away in 1961. His Traditions continued on page 24 The bust of Ernest Hiram Lindley, Bernard Poco located in Lindley Hall was believed to bring good luck to studeniS who rubbed his n0S9 before tests. Lindley was Chancellor ofthe University of KanS21S from 1920-'39. cphofvlr jared Williams? .i

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Traditions, confirmed from page 23 friends, the Sigma Nu's, buried him north of the house where he would always have his place in the sun. Many traditions could be considered universal throughout college campuses. The panty raid is one of these. Panty raids at the University were evident since the construction of female housing. On May 19 and 20, 1952, an estimated 500-1000 men participated in an enormous raid that targeted three female dorms and five sororities. Accord- ing to reports, there were minimal injuries but most of the clothing was never recov- ered. Running nude was a trend that also was witnessed at other campuses including the University of Kansas. This fad, streaking ' as it is commonly called, reached its peak in 1974. On March 7, 1974, 20 women and several men ran naked around the Gertrude Sellard Pearson Hall's parking lot. When 9 men were arrested for streak- ing, Chancellor Archie Dykes assigned extra security guards to night patrol on campus. Although he felt it was not detri- mental to the college itself he had other reasons for discouraging the behavior. But we don't want to offend any of our neighbors here or across the state, said Chancellor Dykes in an article in the March 8, 1974, issue of the Lawrence Iournal- World. The streaking reached a head on May 20, 1974, when two seniors tore off their black robes and ran the across the football field of Memorial Stadium during the graduation ceremonies. A source of many traditions, both local and national, was birthdays, and primarily a 21st birthday. The coming of age to 21 was a time of stress for many people, as the customary night involved drinking to extreme excess. The proverbial 21 shots that some students attempted to drink could be very upsetting especially to the stomach and anyone standing too close. The dangers involved can lead to alcohol poisoning, injury or death. How- ever, the tradition continued to prevail among students. 24 Srulenr LW The fountains around campus also received a lot of attention on birthdays. For those who lived near one of these foun- tains, being dunked in the fountains on one's birthday became a long-standing tradition. Those who lived in the residence halls were not exempt from having traditions of their own. Often, a group of students ended the year trashing the residence halls where they lived. Whatever their reasons may have been, the moving-out day created an opportunity for chaos. I'd say a great number of people like to vent their aggressions in trashing the dorms, said Heather Hudson, Olathe senior. Common practices involved littering the halls with garbage, destruction of furniture and vandalism. We used to draw on the walls with watercolors, throw chairs, and one of my friends set fire to a couch in the parking lot, said Susan Reeves, Rome, NY, sopho- more. Despite this tradition, Fred McElhenie, associate director of residence halls said, Most people are very good at following our directions on moving out, said Fred McElhenie, Associate Director of Residence Life. Other, less aggressive practices occurred in the dorms on television nights. Favorite programs such as Melrose Place and Beverly Hills 90210 drew many watchers to the comfort of their own rooms or the TV lounge. We even try not to schedule programs as R.A. 's because we know they'll be watching their shows, said Nesli Isgoren, Izmir, Turkey, senior, and Resident Advisor at Corbin. In addition to unofficial traditions, many campus legends existed on campus. Many students were told never to enter Campanile until their graduation day or else they will never graduate. An even more common legend involved the stone Iayhawk statue in front of Strong Hall. lt was said that should a virgin ever graduate from the University, the statue would spread its wings in disgust and fly away never to be seen again.