<p>A Smithie actually used the Medieval Banquet tradition as a recruiting tool when speaking with the kid.</p>
<p>Also part of the banquet's tradition is kidnapping a professor or administrator to partake in the festivities. </p>
<p>Kidnapping the 1st yrs by seniors was/is
practiced---Quad.</p>
<p>The 1st yrs are kidnapped in the middle of the night and ferried to the all night Dunkin' Doughnuts, where they gorge themselves on health food.</p>
<p>My kind of kidnapping. lol</p>
<p>yeah, when I lived in the quad--feels like about a million years ago now-- we were woken up early (after being warned to "go to bed! you have a busy morning ahead of you!") to walk downtown, meet our "big sisters" and eat brunch. we got back in time for our morning classes--or to go back to bed!</p>
<p>borgin - A lot of the things are not universal across campus, that's kind of what makes them special to their houses/ sections of campus. First year/senior kidnappings are more common in the quad, I think. In addition, it's not really something that's particularly advertised, so I'm not suprised that you've never heard of it. We'd prefer for the first years not to <em>expect</em> to be kidnapped - it's supposed to be a suprise kidnapping, after all.</p>
<p>Also, winter banquets are more common in houses with dining. Now that dining is no longer closed, it's mostly become a night where everyone in the house is encouraged to eat together, and afterwards we have skits and so on. End of the year senior banquets are where items are willed out by seniors, and where each class presents something : a skit, poem, etc. to the seniors. </p>
<p>For more traditions, there's also Big Sister/Little Sister, Quad Cheer, Primal Scream and Sophomore PUSH. </p>
<p>Roadlesstraveled: some E-fo's really go all out when they invite their professors to emerson banquet - dressing up in medieval garb and presenting the prof with a scroll in class is one way I've heard of.</p>
<p>What is sophomore push??</p>
<p>
[quote]
What is sophomore push??
[/quote]
Huh. I thought that was celebrated at the gorges of Cornell. Learn something new every day.</p>
<p>Sophomore push happens during Commencement weekend - seniors line up on the steps (of Neilson, maybe?) and sophomores push them out into the real world.</p>
<p>Green Streetie here (Tyler)</p>
<p>Unless I missed it, no one has mentioned the Commencement Day Diploma Circle. When you go to the podium, you don't get your own...you get anyone's, basically. After the ceremony, everyone repairs to the Scales-King lawn of the Quad, stands in a circle and madly passes the diplomas! It is amazing how fast you get your own!</p>
<p>Linen napkins in their cubbies -- I think those have probably gone by the wayside with the newer dining system. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.</p>
<p>Fire rope tests in Scott Gymnasium -- I think those have gone by the wayside too. Luckily.</p>
<p>Fire drills -- at the ungodliest hours, but rewarded with Dunk'n Donuts. However, if the entirety of the house does not get out in the prescribed time, the drill was repeated -- sans donuts. By the way, it was helpful to be friends with the house fire marshals!</p>
<p>Competence exams in your major -- no longer in existence. Mine ('77) was the "Last Competent Class" and I'm planning on wearing my special button to our reunion in May.</p>
<p>Other nice traditions -- seniors caroling on the morning of Christmas weekend and on May Day, little sisters delivering hand picked flowers (the only day they were allowed to pick from the campus crop) along with breakfast in bed to big sisters (don't know if those were just Tyler House or campus-wide.)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Unless I missed it, no one has mentioned the Commencement Day Diploma Circle. When you go to the podium, you don't get your own...you get anyone's, basically. After the ceremony, everyone repairs to the Scales-King lawn of the Quad, stands in a circle and madly passes the diplomas! It is amazing how fast you get your own!
[/quote]
Ohhh, I like that one! I didn't know about the caroling also. Cattv...as a seasoned alum, I'm sure you can think of some that don't exist anymore that you really liked. You mentioned a couple; any more?<br>
BTW...drove all the way in a snowstorm this afternoon to pick up our D. 3 hours up, 3 hours back. YUK!!!!</p>
<p>BJM8,
Thanks for calling me a "seasoned" alum rather than a geriatric one!</p>
<p>I've wracked my brain but don't remember any more! However, I would add that Illumination Night is one of the most magical of traditions and there is no doubt it will go on forever. It was pointed out somewhere (I think on my class website) that some of the colored Japanese lanterns still in use are older than we are!</p>
<p>In fact, all of the traditions of Commencement, including Ivy Day (white dresses, roses, the Junior Ushers -- different from Sophomore Push -- carrying the Ivy Chain, etc) are unforgettable.</p>
<p>I think illumination night and ivy day are two great traditions that Smith should hold onto forever. It is an opportunity to bring all students together, including alumnae who get all dressed up for the occasion. It's great to see the seasoned Smith veterans of years past wearing their house colors. Smith stays with you forever, and you're always welcome back on campus. :)</p>
<p>I love the new tradition on CC where all the new Smithies post their acceptances!!!!</p>