After the pandemic and quarantine, Gen Z students had nothing but in-person campus traditions to look forward to. Having unique traditions for each college helps each university stand out. With all the stressors that come with college life such as exams, quizzes, and, trying to fit in, campus holidays can be an exciting thing that students get to anticipate. So, here are 6 of the best college traditions on colleges on the West Coast!
College holidays have become such a big part of student life that I have even heard students apply solely because of their unique holidays/traditions. How a campus decides to celebrate a holiday/tradition and which holiday they choose to celebrate to the fullest can indicate a lot about a university and its student life.
To all you Genzers still applying to American universities, you may want to consider a university’s college tradition before committing to your university of choice! It is hard to judge universities without first seeing how they celebrate!
1. Cal Poly SLO’s “St. Frattys Day”
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (SLO) is famous for its tradition of celebrating the Irish Holiday St. Patrick’s Day. “St. Fratty’s Day” began in 2009 when a former Cal Poly student and fraternity member held a party on St. Patrick’s Day at the “Pink House” (Cal Coast News). In the subsequent years, students living in the “Pink House” carried on the tradition and held large parties at the house.
Now, many years later, “St. Frattys Day” has evolved into a ginormous block party with thousands of students. Students wake up at 3:17 am for the famous St. Fratty’s shot of alcohol and start partying as early as 5 in the morning!
A current Sophomore at Cal Poly, Isabella Montenegro, has a special connection to St. Patrick’s Day as her brother is half-Irish and the holiday has always been a tradition in her household. She says that “St. Frattys Day” has become her favorite holiday at Cal Poly as “celebrating here at school makes it even more meaningful, and it’s a great outlet for students to relax and have an amazing time.”
There’s a strong sense of community during this celebration, and it’s becoming a cultural event at Cal Poly that everyone looks forward to…it’s about the connections we make, the memories we create, and how it brings people together in a way that feels unique to our school.
Bella Montenegro
It’s amazing to see how we all come together to embrace the spirit of the day, from the fun activities to the cultural elements that I wouldn’t have experienced if I hadn’t come here.
Bella Montenegro
My favorite part of the whole St. Patrick’s Day celebration is definitly dressing up in a fun green costume and really getting into the spirit of it all..dressing up is the perfect way to get some laughs and meet new people!
Bella Montenegro
Although the students at Cal Poly love celebrating the holiday there were some setbacks.
Unfortunately, this past year, the most severe damage occurred including food and alcohol stains, dorm evacuations, and deterioration of ceiling tiles.
Students in the “red bricks” dorms and some of the yakʔitʸutʸu dorms had to evacuate their buildings due to falling ceilings and extreme property damage. The worst was Muir Hall, which had to evacuate 300 students and caused extensive damage.
With severe damage and extremely high fines, students wish to continue celebrating this tradition but will try their best so that next year it doesn’t end the same.
2. UCSB’s Deltopia
There is no place quite like Isla Vista for the perfect college parties. With great weather and a big student population, UCSB is known for having some of the most record-breaking college parties!
Deltopia formerly known as “Floatopia” began in 2004, when students would float on rafts and floating devices on the Pacific Coast. In 2009, “Floatopia” got a bit out of hand with destruction and thousands of participants. “Floatopia” and parties alike were banned and the holiday adopted the name “Deltopia.”
Deltopia occurs annually on the Saturday after the first week of the spring quarter. Students and visitors gather together on the streets of Isla Vista. Many students host house parties but the big party is on the block that starts as early as 5 am, which is very similar to Cal Poly’s St. Fratty’s Day.
Deltopia has become such a larger-than-life tradition that they made a movie for it!
Above you can see the trailer for “Deltopia,” a movie where a group of high school students travel to Santa Barbara to celebrate Deltopia! However, students have reported the movie is very different from the actual holiday itself as it is filmed in Malibu.
Recently graduated student Robbie Silver talks about his experience celebrating his favorite tradition at UCSB, Deltopia, over the past 4 years.
It perfectly embodies everything about UCSB’s culture and is an opportunity for students to let loose and appreciate being at such a unique school.
Robbie Silver
Robbie’s favorite part of Deltopia was hosting friends from other schools and getting the chance to show off his school and community.
There is a noticeable difference in energy in Isla Vista during Deltopia weekend
Robbie Silver
It is an important part of UCSB culture and gives the school a claim to fame.
Robbie Silver
Deltopia was a great chance for Robbie to connect with peers and have school spirit and pride.
It really is a special occasion that brings out so much joy and positive energy in the community and its great to be able to share that with close friends.
Robbie Silver
3. UC Davis’ Picnic Day
UC Davis’ Picnic Day is not only known as UC Davis’ signature event but has become the “crown-jewel event” of the UC system (https://picnicday.ucdavis.edu/history). Picnic Day is also one of the biggest events in the nation and one of the largest student-run events!
Picnic Day began in 1909 when the University farm had a new dairy barn and had visitors come to see it. The barn was a huge hit and 2,000 visitors came! Now, over 700,000 people come to celebrate Picnic Day with over 100s of events on campus.
Vivian Escobar, Senior at UC Davis
It’s like the whole campus comes to life for this huge celebration, where there’s a little something for everyone.
Picnic Day includes a parade, student performances, animal exhibits, and fun events like the famous dachshund race. During Picnic Day campus is open to everyone including alumni and even families from the community!
Vivian Escobar
Picnic Day is one of those events that you look forward to every year…it really embodies the spirit of UC Davis—friendly, fun, and full of energy.
Vivian talks about how Picnic Day is so special to her because of how it unites her community as it is for everyone in and outside the local community not only UC Davis students!
It’s a chance to show off everything we’ve been working on throughout the year, from research to performances… the day really captures the spirit of UC Davis—welcoming, diverse, and full of fun surprises.
Vivian Escobar
Vivian’s favorite part about Picnic Day is the variety of things to do.
One moment you’re watching the parade, the next you’re petting animals, and then you’re cheering on the dogs at the Doxie Derby…it’s such a unique mix of activities, and there’s always something that makes you smile.
Vivian Escobar
4. UO’S Spring Game
Every Spring, the University of Oregon showcases the Spring team’s practice game or scrimmage to give the audience a look at what’s to come in the upcoming season. This is a chance for football fans to enjoy a little football in the sunny Springtime–their off-season.
According to UO alumnus Sofia Tourgeman, there are usually tailgate parties where people will hang out before the game and then take around a mile-ish walk from campus to get to the Autzen stadium to see the scrimmage. Students tend to walk together in big groups and enjoy the game together.
According to Tourgeman, the sunny weather is what makes the Spring Game the most important tradition at UO. During football season, autumn, it is always rainy and cold which can be fun, but what makes Spring Game so special is that it is the only time students can enjoy football in good weather.
Sofia says that other spring sports like Baseball are really fun but they’re a lot smaller and therefore less significant at UO than the football games, which are so special because they get everyone together.
Tourgeman also talks about how important this game is for Seniors because it is their last chance to watch football as a student at UO.
when I was a Senior it was my last football game…everything kind of builds up to it because you have the games in the Fall and then this one special game in the Spring…so I think it’s a good time for everyone to come together and it’s also really warm.
Sofia Tourgeman
Tourgeman unfortunately only got to experience Spring Game once because of the COVID-19 quarantine and isolation guidelines. That being said, even after only experiencing this scrimmage once she still votes it as her favorite tradition on campus!
Some of Tourgeman’s favorite parts of Spring Game were the half-time events like when “The Duck” (the mascot) did push-ups during half-time or when the Oregon dance team and cheer squad would do dances during the half-time break.
However, Tourgeman and many others agree that the best part of any football game is when all the football players sing the song shout and the entire stadium sings along. Nike even made a promo video with the University of Oregon about the shout song!
Tourgeman was also a tutor for student-athletes and worked with some football players. They talked about how fun the Spring game was for them because it was a chance for everyone to watch them play but there was no winning or losing team as it was a scrimmage with UO’s players divided into separate teams.
The idea of the scrimmage without a losing team is also what makes the Spring game so special according to Tourgeman.
Sometimes football games in the Fall can be really depressing because when Oregon looses nobody wants to go out or when they do go out it’s not as fun…that’s why the scrimmage is so fun because you know you will have fun afterwards because Oregon is winning no matter what.
Sofia Tourgeman
Tourgeman also notes that she went to the University of Oregon not knowing anything about football and still having fun at the events. To Tourgeman, although others may disagree, “It’s not really about the football it’s about the entire community at UO coming together to celebrate.”
5. UCLA’s Undie Run
On the Wednesday of finals week at midnight, students at UCLA wear nothing but their underwear (and sometimes bras) and run around campus! (dailybruin.com)
This tradition began in 2001 with student Eric Whitehead. Before the “undie run” there was the “midnight yell” during finals week, which is now banned. Whitehead protested the midnight yell by writing a song about his frustration and singing it on Westwood. Later, after a suggestion from a friend, he and his friends went so far as to wear only their underwear! (dailybruin.com)
Soon, Whitehead made the “undie run” a trend, and thousands of students were running around Westwood in their underwear at midnight. (dailybruin.com)
The “undie run” was banned in 2010 because of “safety concerns” due to fights and injuries for intoxicated students. However, despite the ban the “undie run” continues to be a large tradition at UCLA to this day! (dailybruin.com)
According to current sophomore Jenna Amos, students now congregate in their underwear at the corner of Strathmore and Gayley and run through campus until they reach Royce Hall. Once the run has finished, students hang out in that area and some play music on there speakers.
Students like Amos say that the silly tradition has become their favorite part of the spring quarter as it is a chance to blow off steam and reconnect with their friends during the stressful finals week.
My favorite thing in spring quarter is the undie run…the weather is warmer, the seniors wear their graduation stoles, and it’s a fun last hoorah before leaving for the summer!
Jenna Amos
6. UC Berkeley’s Cal Day
Similar to UC Davis’ picnic day, Cal Day is a chance for UC Berkeley to showcase their events, arts, and community. According to Cal’s alumnus Natalie Silver, Cal Day begins on a Saturday in the Spring right after college acceptances come out and before the May 1st commitment deadline.
The event is open to the entire community of Davis but is especially catered to admitted students who are trying to decide if Berkeley is the place for them. It is an exposition of the university, its sports, its student life, and the larger Berkeley community.
in classic Cal spirit, it’s in your face, loud, obnoxious and over the top. So fun. It’s not subtle…just like us.
Natalie Silver
Cal Day is the biggest non-football tradition at Berkeley. It is the one day in the Spring when students get up early and join together to celebrate their school. Some events include live music, parties, different exhibits, and booths spread across campus! It is like a giant party where everybody shows up!
Silver has experienced Cal Day both as a typical student and also as a campus ambassador giving tours to families and incoming students.
I am obsessed with Cal and take great joy in bragging about it to the younger generation.
Natalie Silver
I love how it provides a space for multiple generations within the Cal community to come together and celebrate the place that binds us all…The Promised Land. (UC Berkeley)
Natalie Silver
In 2016, Silver wrote an article about Cal Day titled “The Red Scare of 2016”. The article discusses the utter disappointment Silver has with her classmates who have worn red, Stanford (the enemy’s) color, on Cal Day. Silver’s comical yet informative article about Cal Day shows how close the event was to her and how much of an impact it had on the student body.
