Fordham traditions punctuate the semester’s monotony, breathing life into campus culture. They bring the student body together, giving us a reason to celebrate together or granting us space to relieve some stress. For incoming students, it’s important to know at least a handful of traditions in order to find your place at Fordham — and to avoid ruining your next four years, but we’ll get to that later.
College traditions help define a college culture, and Fordham’s many traditions do just that. They provide spaces for the student body to come together as they celebrate a victory, have fun or even just relieve stress. Some of these traditions were started decades ago, others are more recent. Some are facilitated by the administration, while others came into being just from the simple act of thousands of students doing the same, simple action each year. For incoming students, it’s important to know a handful of these traditions in order to firmly merge into the Fordham community. There is one tradition that each incoming student does need to know, however, to avoid cursing the rest of their time here…but we will get to that later.
Perhaps the most iconic Fordham tradition is the ringing of the Victory Bell, which occurs whenever a sports team wins a game. The bell, which is situated beside the Rose Hill Gymnasium, is from a Japanese aircraft carrier and was gifted to the university in 1944 by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz to memorialize the lives claimed by World War II. The players, managers and everyone else present at the game will gather around the bell as the players ring it. It’s a wonderful celebration of school spirit and a touching memorial to those who lost their lives almost a hundred years ago.
Spring Weekend is another tradition that brings the student body together and is the spring semester’s answer to Homecoming. Rather than a football game, a 5k and a dance, the Campus Activities Board (CAB) organizes a music festival, comedy performance and celebrity guest, while the Residence Hall Association (RHA) manages the dance. Previous years have seen celebrities such as Kelsey Kreppel, musicians like COIN and comedians straight from the SNL stage. All of the events are free for students, and the musical festival even has free food. I’d highly recommend following CAB on Instagram (@fordhamcab), as they’ll start posting information about prospective musical and celebrity guests weeks ahead of when they visit campus.
One of the most important traditions at Fordham is gathering on Edward’s Parade on warm, sunny days to soak in the sun and hang out with friends. During the first months of the year, you will see plenty of students laid out on picnic blankets in between their classes as they read novels, type essays or throw around a frisbee. Students also gather on Martyrs’ Green, the green outside the library and in the open spaces that litter Fordham’s Rose Hill campus. There are lots of adirondack chairs and tables sprinkled throughout campus, where you can check two items off your to-do list as you study and tan. Participating in this tradition is a great way to drink in the gothic beauty of campus, connect with your classmates and make some new friends. Some of my favorite days have consisted of grabbing a drink at Starbucks, relaxing on Eddie’s with my friends and “doing work” together. (“Doing work” is in quotes because, even though our laptops and books might be open, little to no work ever gets done.) That’s the beauty of Eddie’s. It’s this beautiful, open space where students can simply enjoy being at college, surrounded by friends and peers.
During finals each semester, there are two traditions that give students room to breathe — and space to scream. The first is Midnight Breakfast, where the cafeteria provides a free meal to students studying late into the night. Members of the administration work alongside our beloved cafeteria crew, scooping eggs, tater tots and whatever else is on the menu onto students’ plates. Even though the cafeteria always seems close to bursting, there’s enough food for everyone to grab a bite before braving their all-nighter. (Or dozing off into a deep, definitely not anxiety riddled dream.) The other finals tradition is the Primal Scream, which is… exactly what it sounds like. During one night of finals week, students gather on Keating Steps to let
out all of their frustrations in one loud, thunderous howl. Unlike Midnight Breakfast, this is organized by students rather than faculty, and information about it is posted on social media. So, when finals rolls around, keep your eye on Instagram to find the date and time that students will be gathering. And, if you forget about it, don’t be too alarmed when you’re coming back from a late-night Boars run and hear what sounds like roughly 70 students screaming in unison. They’re okay. For the most part.
One of my favorite traditions, which is a bit less formal but just as vital to Fordham’s culture, is brunch on weekend mornings in the cafeteria. During freshman and sophomore year, I would see so many of my classmates sitting with their friend groups as they recounted the events of the night before, just as my group was. It was so nice to see everyone coming together, reveling in the fun of college over their pancakes and yogurt bowls. Even though the cafeteria is closed this year, I am sure that we will find similar spaces to congregate on Saturday mornings…or on Saturday early-afternoons.
Finally we come to the tradition that will make or break your college experience: riding the Ram. In the space between Dealy and Hughes Hall, there is a bronze ram statue. All first-year students must ride the ram within their first 10 days or risk cursing the rest of their time at Fordham. Is that just ridiculous superstition? Are you willing to run the risk?
All of these traditions make Fordham’s campus culture come alive, and, like living things, they change over time. As you begin your college experience, become part of our culture by getting involved in campus traditions. In the next four years, you and your peers might even create some new ones.
