Colleges provide their own traditions

COURTESY YALE BANNER TD's annual Exotic Erotic dance brings out the kinky side in everyone.

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

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.

PATRICK MCGARVEY Jonathan Edwards Master Gary Haller (left) and Pierson Master Harvey Goldblatt, GRD '77, Jell-o-wrestle for college pride.

Branford

Held towards the end of September is the Branford Independence Day. On this self-declared and self-centered holiday, Branford students assert their independence from Yale proper. Teams of Branford students compete against each other in different events like a slip 'n' slide and a three-legged race. Students who aren't in a competitive mood can jump on a moon bounce, eat some barbecued food, and listen to a Branford student band.

Branford students are always careful to avoid the stone seal in the Great Courtyard. Superstition 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; last year's was "Nightmare on Elm Street: Part 'Houn."

Trolley Day, a tradition introduced by Master William Sledge, finds its meaning and its name in the classic, but obsolete, transportation system. For 'Hounies, however, the celebration has a dual purpose; it's also known unofficially as Calhoun Hookup Night. Some say that every night is Calhoun Hookup Night, for 'Hounies tend to stick to themselves. That explains the condom-infested sauna in the college.

Davenport

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

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, moon bounce-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 and sharp tuxedoes, then head next door for a cigar and a round of blackjack.

Jonathan Edwards

While most singing groups strive for excellence, "The Men of JE" strive only to make noise. Women joined thegroup for the first time two years ago, but the name remains the same.

JEers are a tight and often exclusive bunch. The annual Spider Ball is a JE-only black-tie 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 water-laden buckets.

Morse

Last year Morse frosh, with the help of their freshman counselors, got their hands on a projection spotlight and put an ax-shaped cut-out on it. On any given night, look for the huge Batman-like Ax shining on the Old Campus lawn from Welch, a testament to Morsels' fierce loyalty to their peanut-brittle walled college.

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 of the revelers wear costumes, clothing is certainly not a necessity.

The Mr. and Ms. Pierson pageant gives talented students a chance to compete for the coveted title; participants enter a talent show and answer questions. On the last day of classes, Pierson Day includes a jello-wrestling contest, and even Master Harvey Goldblatt, GRD '77, has been known to join the fray.

Saybrook

After a two-year hiatus, the Yale Precision Marching Band has again started playing "The Stripper" to coincide with the Saybrugians' continued tradition of the Saybrook Strip at the end of the third 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. Sillifrosh get a chance to showcase their skills in events like the water balloon toss or the 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 totally forfeiting your social existence.

The spring season provides 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 during reading week, complete with a moon bounce and sno-cones.

Timothy Dwight

When people think TD, they think naked. Why? Two words: Exotic Erotic. This annual party makes the walk to TD well worth your while. Although it didn't happen last year, it's guaranteed that Exotic Erotic will be in full effect this year. As far as the dress code is considered, TD has a rule: "the more risqué, the less you pay." Complete nudity gets you into the party for free; fully clothed is only three dollars. Anything in-between is up to the TD judges at the door.

On a tamer note, after school's start, all TD frosh and a handful of seniors trek
to a TD alum's rustic abode in upstate New York, known affectionately as "Llama-
land" for the pen of llamas next to the outdoor pool. The college's location--far-removed from Old Campus--can seem isolated and intimidating to frosh; the trip gives them a chance to bond with fellow TDers.

Trumbull

For Trumbull seniors, "Stealing the Sculpture" was a game of Capture the Flag--except the flag was Trumbull's cumbersome courtyard artwork, the Odyssey II. That sculpture has been reclaimed by the Yale University Art Gallery, but a new one has been commissioned and is on its way.

"Hear ye, hear ye! It's six o'clock in Trumbull College and all's well." These are the weekly 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, create intracollege rivalries; dwellers of each assert their superiority.

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