Hi, I recently got admitted to the class of 2023 and I was wondering if any UChicago mom, dad, current student, or alumni could tell me about special traditions/experiences/superstitions/cool stuff that every student HAS to participate in before they graduate. I know about some of the popular stuff already like Scav, but I wanted some other ideas and fun stuff. Also, I’m interested in the Burton-Judson Courts, so dorm specific things are also appreciated! Thank you guys!
I noticed that you mentioned in another thread wanting to join a sorority. I’m parent of a DD living in BJ, and my impression from reading CC is that there are not a lot of sorority/fraternity kids in BJ, and I know that there aren’t a lot of sorority/fraternity kids in DD’s specific House in BJ. BJ Houses seem to have really strong House culture. Although DD is regularly involved in 3 RSOs, her Housemates are her UChicago family. Doesn’t mean you can’t be in a sorority and live in BJ, but I thought I’d mention that there might be other dorms that have more sorority/fraternity kids, if that matters to you.
Whichever house you end up in will have its own traditions, rivalries, etc. My kid is also in BJ and loves her house.
For some fun reading about some of the myths and superstitions, check this out. Some are common to many uni’s but others are/were UChicago-specific: https://magazine.uchicago.edu/0408/features/index.shtml
Thanks @JBStillFlying the link was amusing.
Anything else? As my son is on the track team this fall, I’m particularly interested in the Track Team Streak tradition mentioned on Wikipedia, but no where else.
Well . . . 50% of my children who graduated from the University of Chicago are married to a classmate, and there are at least three other such couples among their close friends. I don’t know if that adds up to 10% or more, but in their circles of close friends it’s more than 10%.
Anyway, if the OP hasn’t already she may want to google Kuviasugnerk/Kangeiko, the Latke-Hamentash Debate, and the Lascivious Ball. I’m not certain which, if any, of them are still vibrant.
@JHS perhaps it is your population that raises it to 10%?
"As my son is on the track team this fall, I’m particularly interested in the Track Team Streak "
My son won’t be on the track team, but I’m firmly in the camp of don’t ask-don’t tell for any activities he chooses to participate in while nekkid. This is what college is all about - doing dumb stuff without your parents having to know (or worry) about it.
I wouldn’t be at all disappointed if he meets and eventually marries a classmate, though. Makes a lot of sense for people with somewhat unique interests and intellects to find each other in that sort of environment.
I was just hoping for his sake that it was a co-educational activity :^)
It appeared to be co-ed in 2005
https://www.chicagomaroon.com/article/2005/6/3/my-most-memorable-evening-at-the-regenstein/
In our circle of friends the marriage percentage was significantly higher than 10% but we were all grad students there and being of a traditionally more “marriageable” age likely played a role.
The Lascivious Costume Ball was absolutely real and there was a hilarious Mike Royko column on the admin’s decision to get rid of it in 1986. Enjoy: https://books.google.com/books?id=SBTPBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT562&lpg=PT562&dq=royko+lascivious+costume+ball&source=bl&ots=TUoSiC8FaY&sig=CIyNe1Z49_Q6wivjhFSLrPN0Pw8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjOwduH6LrcAhUe24MKHXi4AIkQ6AEwBnoECAEQAQ#v=onepage&q=royko%20lascivious%20costume%20ball&f=false
“I was just hoping for his sake that it was a co-educational activity :^)”
This is a good example of how moms and dads sometimes think differently. The coed thing hadn’t even occurred to me, I was just hoping he didn’t get frostbite in a sensitive area. 
@milee30 after reading the article, it appears to be an indoor event in the Reg during the Sunday before finals week of the winter quarter. I don’t think frostbite is a risk.
Gotcha. I think my son is starting to see a pattern in the stuff I am and am not worried about…
Galavanting about buck naked? Whatever, just don’t send me pictures, don’t scare off any potential future mates and for the love of God, run fast so you stay warm enough that you don’t get frostbite!
Drinking at parties? Fine. Just don’t drink yourself silly or let anyone slip anything in your drink. No, I’m not worried they’ll take advantage of you, I’m worried you’ll be too drunk to find your way into your dorm, pass out on the sidewalk and get frostbite.
You’ve warned me about leaving my heavy winter coat unattended, are you trying to avoid having to shell out to get me another? Nope. I’m convinced if you lose that, you’ll get frostbite.
You can worry about Kuvia/Kangeiko that way; I think it culminates in (or used to) a January swim in Lake Michigan, with or without bathing suits.
Honestly, I can’t understand why anyone would swim in Lake Michigan at any time of the year; we pause in swimming in this area when the water drops below 75. So yes, I will add that to the list. Thanks.
Kuvia/Kangeiko also includes doing sun salutations at Lake Michigan in the snow or ice or general cold weather, with the 4th years stripping off an item of clothing with the completion of each move. And don’t forget the Polar Bear Run, advertised as the university’s only sanctioned streaking event, which also takes place during Kuvia/Kangeiko. It’s run nude or semi-nude through the main quad. Supposedly many videos of the event can be found online, and I am sure many more can be found on students’ phones. For that reason, my DD has chosen not to run, but will hold clothes/blankets for her friends that do.
The Lascivious Ball was revived in 2008. I’ll just let the readers do their own research on that event…
@milee30 You might want to add these to your Frostbite Warning List for your DS
Lake Michigan is a serious body of water and most shouldn’t go in at all. You have to be a very good swimmer even in the warmest months. Watched a guy (grad student) almost drown right off Prom. Point. It’s very easy to find yourself in trouble.
lol what
sure, the point is dangerous with the rocks and currents but the 57th st beach is perfectly fine
@HydeSnark that’s probably true. TBH none of us hung around 57th Street Beach. Trying to remember if it even existed 35 years ago - @85bears46?
stop the slander against lake michigan beaches! #beachtownchicago
we even have a kilwins now we’re basically St. Joseph