Traditions

The College recognizes five traditions. Others exist.

Recognized

Fall Kickoff

A cookout at Pasture 5 on the Friday of the first week of the fall term, hosted by Student Government since 1996. Free to enrolled students; $5 for guests. The Applied Clowning program’s incoming cohort works the event as its first public assignment.

The Luminary Walk

Held the evening of the last day of fall instruction. Students, employees, and families walk the Perimeter Course, which is lined with luminaries placed by volunteers that afternoon. Organized by Student Government since 1997. The Early Music Consort plays at the turn. There is no program and no speaking.

The Fall Clambake

First Saturday of October, Pasture 5. The Foundation’s principal fall fundraiser. Menu, tickets, and particulars are published at Dining.

Drover Day

The spring open house, held the second Saturday of April. Program demonstrations, the Cosmetology Clinic open at reduced rates, the Drover Equestrian Program’s exhibition, and Chester. Attendance in 2026 was 1,410.

The Memorial Service

Held each April by the Division of Funerary and Interment Services, in the Wing E chapel, for those whose remains supported instruction during the year, and for the families of donors, who are invited. The service is conducted by students under faculty supervision. It is open to the College community. It is not photographed, is not cablecast, and is not listed on the public events calendar; those wishing to attend may contact the Division office. The College considers it the most important thing the Division does.

Customs the College discourages

The following are not sanctioned. They are described here because describing them has proven more effective than not describing them.

The sheep

Students rub the nose of Tolliver, the mascot sheep retired in 2002, whose mounted head is displayed in the case outside Drover Court, before examinations. The taxidermy is deteriorating and the nose has been repaired twice. The case was fitted with a front panel in January 2025. Students have since taken to touching the glass, which the College considers an acceptable resolution and asks that it remain the practice.

The escalator

Graduating students photograph themselves standing on the original escalators, which have not been in service since before the College acquired the building. The escalators are not maintained for use, the treads are not secured, and the College asks that photographs be taken from the adjacent floor rather than on the steps. Requests to have the escalators temporarily energized for commencement week are received annually and are declined.

The Mock Structure

Entry to the Wing F instructional structure outside scheduled instruction is prohibited under the Student Code of Conduct §9.4 and is a facilities safety matter, the structure having been built with deliberate defects. The structure is alarmed. Campus Safety records entries in the daily crime log.

Practicum trading

Barn students trading animal care shifts among themselves is permitted with the instructor’s approval and is not discouraged. Trading without approval is, and remains the most common attendance issue in the Division.

No longer observed

The Ring

Between roughly 1979 and 1994, graduating students of the Institute struck a bell mounted at the Ansel Street entrance on the last day of instruction. The bell did not move with the College in 1994 and its location is not known to the College. Inquiries are occasionally received from alumni of that period and the College is unable to answer them.