Colleges provide their own traditions

When it comes to having fun the residential college way, there is only one rule: different strokes for different folks. From 'Hounies to Morsels to Sillimanders, the denizens of Yale's residential colleges each have their own definition of a good time.

Of course, there are standard social events, like screw-your-roommate dances, semi-formal balls, Naples nights, theme dinners, and springtime cookouts. Every college has 'em, but each with its own sassy style, distinctive atmosphere, and special flavor. Above and beyond these general amusements, the colleges have their own fun-spirited traditions as well.

Berkeley

FILE PHOTO Berkeleyites bare all in their annual streak across Old Campus during pre-frosh days.

Berkeley's annual streak across Old Campus during Bulldog Days is always a well-attended event. Sporting their birthday suits, a few Berkeleyites fight gawking crowds as they make haste from Vanderbilt to their home turf.

If you're looking to get "lei'd" in September, check out Berkeley's Luau, an annual Hawaiian-themed party held in the Berkeley courtyard.

And for Berkeley seniors, there's the "Night of Your Life." All seniors are paired off, given $20 per couple, and sent on a night of economical adventure on Yale's tab.

Branford

In April, students from all colleges invade Branford's courtyard for the Golden CAF (Carnival of Americarnal Festivities). Don't miss the naked lounge or kissing booth, and remember to whack the bulging bovine piñata of phallic twinkies.

Whereas Golden CAF is open to all, Independence Day definitely is not. On this self-declared and self-centered holiday, Branford students declare their independence from Yale proper.

Branford students are always careful to avoid the stone seal in the courtyard. Rumor has it that stepping on the seal brings extremely bad luck.

Calhoun

'Hounies party at Hounfest, an all-day celebration held on the last day of classes. Each year the theme changes; the past two included a Mexican fiesta and an Elvis impersonation.

Trolley Day, a tradition introduced by Master William Sledge, finds its meaning and its name in this classic, but obsolete, transportation system. For 'Hounies, however, the celebration has a dual purpose; it's also known unofficially as Calhoun Hookup Night.

Davenport

DC's era of choice is the '70s, as exemplified by Davenfunk, the yearly bell-bottom and platform extravaganza that pays homage to the Bee Gees, ABBA, and all the rest. If you're looking for garish Brady-esque styles and true disco fever, this is where you want to be.

Come spring, John Davenport Day celebrates the man behind the myth with burgers, Yale bands, and outdoor entertainment galore. If it's sunny outside and you're looking for some good, old-fashioned, velcro-sticking, moonbounce-jumping fun, head to Davenport.

Ezra Stiles

In conjunction with Morse, Stiles hosts Casino Night, ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the country's best college campus parties. At Casino Night, you can waltz among the slinky sequined gowns, then head next door for a cigar and a round of blackjack.

Jonathan Edwards

JULIA TIERNAN/YH For JE, Wet Monday is a free-for-all water fight.

While most singing groups strive for excellence, "The Men of JE" strive only to make noise (the only critique of their last was that it was too harmonious). Women joined the group for the first time this past year, but the name remains the same.

JEers are a tight and often exclusive bunch. The annual Spider Ball is a JE-only dance in the spring that resembles a high school prom.

But even the closest family has its little spats. "Wet Monday," an annual college-wide water war on the Monday after Easter, lets JE residents take their good-natured frustrations out on each other with Supersoaker water guns and buckets.

Morse

Living inside those peanut-brittle walls is a loyal contingent of Morsels. The common room, widely known as "the Morsel," houses a keg every Thursday night. The student-staffed kitchen, also open for business on Sundays and Tuesdays, offers unhealthy edibles that put YUDH cuisine to shame.

Pierson

When midweek blues start to settle in, head to Pierson, home of TNC (Tuesday Night Club). The famous weekly lower courtyard keg always promises good company and a welcome break in the midst of hellish studying.

These smaller soirées pale in comparison to the Halloween debauchery of the Pierson Inferno. Although most revelers wear costumes, clothing is certainly not a neccessity.

The Mr. and Ms. Pierson pageant gives talented students a chance to compete for the coveted title. On the last day of classes, Pierson Day includes a jello-wrestling contest, and even Master Harvey Goldblatt has been known to join the fray.

Saybrook

Although the Yale Precision Marching Band has refused to play "The Stripper" for the past two years, Saybrugians continue the tradition of the Saybrook Strip after the first quarter of every home football game. Come wind, rain, or hail, dedicated students shed clothing for their college, and a few take it all off for the Yale-Harvard game.

Saye and Sele Day, Saybrook's own springtime carnival, abounds with craziness. With an outdoor picnic, jello wrestling, and more, SY's two courtyards are jumping. A nighttime dance in the stone courtyard caps off the festivities.

Silliman

To welcome frosh into Silliman's close-knit community, the college holds "Frosh Olympics" during the first week of school. The event gives Sillifrosh a chance to showcase their skills, whether it be in a water balloon toss or a relay race. Silliman Dean Hugh Flick welcomes freshmen to the event in style, wearing only a traditional Greek toga.

Then there's Silliman's annual Safety Dance. This wild night of '80s music is one of the only times you can wear blue eye shadow, a denim mini-skirt, and leg warmers—without forfeiting your social existence.

The spring season provides even more celebration. A few years back, Rich Marshall, SM '96, decided he wanted to have a courtyard party. The result? "Richfest" is an annual carnival held during reading week complete with a moonbounce and sno-cones.

Timothy Dwight

JULIA TIERNAN/YH At TD's annual Exotic Erotic, "the more risqué, the less you pay."

When I think TD, I think naked. Why? Two words: Exotic Erotic. This annual party makes the long walk to TD well worth your while. As far as the dress code is considered, "the more risqué, the less you pay." Complete nudity gets you in for free; fully clothed is three dollars. Anything in between is up to the judges at the door.

On a tamer note, after school's start, the whole college treks to a TD alum's rustic abode in upstate New York. The college's location—far-removed from central campus—can seem isolated and intimidating to freshmen; the trip gives them a chance to bond with their fellow TDers.

Trumbull

With the only femme-fatale Master, Janet Heinrich, the future of Trumbull tradition looks especially promising. For Trumbull seniors, "Stealing the Sculpture" is a real-life game of Capture the Flag—except the flag is very, very heavy. In fact, the "flag" that the graduating class must heist is Trumbull's cumbersome courtyard artwork.

"Hear ye, hear ye! It's six o'clock in Trumbull College and all's well." These are the nightly words of Trumbull's Town Crier, an elected senior who stands on the balcony overlooking the dining hall to make college in-jokes and announcements.

Trumbull's three courtyards, Stone Court, Potty Court, and Main Court, are the root of intracollege rivalries as dwellers of each domain try to assert their superiority.

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