Residence Hall Traditions | Purdue University Residences (2024)

A tradition is a custom or belief that has been passed on from one generation to the next. University Residences are rich in tradition. Students and alumni often say it’s the activities that they remember doing that their parents and grandparents also did that they so fondly think about when reliving their experiences on campus.

Hall Competitions

Throughout Purdue University Residences’ history, few traditions are as storied as the intra-hall competitions and rivalries. Whether it was Wiley vs Tarkington, Harrison vs McCutchen or Windsor vs Meredith, these contests—from tug-of-war to energy conservation—were fueled by the coveted prize of bragging rights, which always overshadowed any trophy. The competition among H-halls was particularly intense, with their own intramural league. Despite the valiant e orts of many, Wiley Hall maintained a dominant presence throughout its existence. However, some rivalries extended beyond organized competitions. Residents of Owen Hall and Cary Quad engaged in less-than-friendly exchanges, often including taunts and the occasional snowball, across what was known as the DMZ—the undeveloped corner of Stadium Avenue and Russell Street, now occupied by Ford Dining Hall.

Within each hall, rivalries thrived among residents. One of the most memorable of these was the Cary Quad tricycle races. Held annually at the start of the academic year, teams of Cary residents would race tricycles around a makeshift track. While the initial laps were standard, chaos soon ensued with taunts, jeers and buckets of water flying. In the late 1980s, it was relocated to the Smalley Center parking lot. The proximity to the fire department allowed teams to have access to the fire hoses – and EMTs to have access to injured racers!

Dinner Dances

When reminiscing about their time in the residence halls, many alumni fondly recall the tradition of dinner dances. Dating back to the 1940s and likely inspired by the military balls of World War II, these formal a airs remained a beloved tradition until 1993. Dinner dances were an annual highlight, typically held every February, with some women's halls also organizing Christmas dances. Dinner was served within the residence halls, accompanied by appetizers—often featuring a giant shrimp co*cktail—in the lounges. To enhance the wintry ambiance, halls often adorned their spaces with ice sculptures brought in from Indianapolis. Following a period of socializing, residents proceeded to the dining room for a formal plated dinner, often featuring a surf and turf dish comprising lobster and ribeye steak. The evening culminated in a memorable night of dancing in the Purdue Memorial Union ballrooms. Many hall clubs continue to honor the spirit of dinner dances and organize evenings of formal dinners and dancing for residents.

Homecoming Displays

Homecoming remains a cherished tradition at Purdue, drawing alumni young and old back to their alma mater to reunite with old friends, witness the ever-evolving campus and, perhaps most eagerly, cheer for a Boilermaker victory. Homecoming week is steeped in traditions. One fondly remembered by many alumni is the annual Homecoming displays.

The tradition of Homecoming displays traces its roots back to the 1940s and 1950s, with the Purdue Student Union Board (PSUB) officially launching a display competition in 1976. Housing units would construct large displays in their front yards that would be judged in categories such as size, movement and sound. In an attempt for the perfect score residence halls often went above and beyond, erecting displays towering up to 40 feet in height, complete with animatronic elements and other creative embellishments. Tarkington Hall earned a reputation for going above and beyond, even resorting to extraordinary measures such as paying the Purdue grounds department to install a telephone pole in their yard as part of their display construction. However, by the late 1980s, student interests began to shift toward other aspects of Homecoming festivities, leading to the discontinuation of the display competition in 1992. PSUB continues to hold various events during Homecoming week, including their Friday evening Homecoming Parade.

Traveling Dinners

A long-standing tradition within the residence halls is the esteemed role of Faculty Fellows, a ectionately known as Fac Fellows. Established in 1967, each floor of every residence hall is assigned a faculty member to be their Fac Fellow. The Faculty Fellows program has played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between students and faculty, offering students a glimpse into the personal lives of their professors in a more relaxed setting. Faculty Fellows frequently dine in the halls, participate in floor events and occasionally extend invitations to students for holiday gatherings and dinners at their homes.

Among the many cherished anecdotes shared by alumni, one recurring favorite is that of the traveling dinners. On these special evenings, residents would board a bus to visit various faculty members' homes, indulging in a course at each stop. These dinners not only provided students with the opportunity to savor a home-cooked meal but also fostered deeper connections with faculty members within their own homes. While traveling dinners may now be consigned to memory, the Faculty Fellows program remains a steadfast cornerstone of University Residences, continuing to enrich the student experience to this day.

Cary-Windsor Serenades

As the oldest residence hall on Purdue's campus, it's impossible to delve into Purdue University Residences' traditions and memories without highlighting the legendary antics of Cary Quadrangle. Among the cherished recollections is the tradition of Windsor Hall serenades. The weekend before the start of classes, the freshmen of Cary Quadrangle would be awakened at 6 a.m. by upperclassmen banging on doors, hitting metal trashcans and various threats. Despite being sleepy (and often scared), freshmen would be led into Spitzer Court, bracing for whatever awaited them—only to be greeted with a spread of donuts, juice, co ee and the enthusiastic camaraderie of hundreds of upperclassmen eager to teach them songs. After a delicious breakfast and a spirited choral rehearsal, the group would parade down Russell Street, singing as they marched. Upon reaching Second Street, they would gather in the Windsor circle to serenade the women of Windsor. While this tradition is treasured by both Cary Quad and Windsor residents, many leave out possibly the most memorable part of the morning - the panties thrown from the windows and into the crowd of men!

Slayter Hill

If you ask students or alumni about their favorite spots on Purdue’s campus, you are bound to hear about Slayter Hill, a place full of traditions and memories. During the summer and fall, students enjoy the weather, hanging out with friends or enjoying gatherings such as club events, free concerts and more! During football season, Slayter turns into a tailgate area and is also home to the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band's pre-game concert, Thrill on the Hill.

The wintertime tends to be students’ favorite time to enjoy Slayter and it tends to be the setting of many memorable moments. On the day of the first snow, Slayter is packed full of students coming to sled. As most students don't own a sled, students get creative on what they ride down the hill. Today's students must be as resourceful as ever as one of the most popular "sleds" of days past, dining trays, have been phased out of use in the dining halls. Some of the most common sledding objects include laundry baskets, mattresses, tote lids, couches and everything in between!

Fountains

From April to October, a key feature of Purdue's campus is the fountains scattered around campus, many of which have been ingrained in the history and culture of the university. The most prominent and recognizable fountain is the Engineering Fountain. Located in the heart of campus, the Engineering Fountain was built in 1989 and quickly became a key symbol of the university. However, most students don't realize another beloved fountain used to sit where the Engineering Fountain now stands. Built in 1959, Loeb Fountain was originally placed in front of Hovde Hall and surrounded by a low-rise basin. Due to the basin, it was not uncommon for students to pull pranks and pour dish soap into the fountain, making the basin overflow with bubbles. In 1988, it was put into storage during the revision of the Engineering Mall. In 1993, Loeb Fountain was placed in its new home in Founders Park. Its basin was replaced with columns, allowing for a more open concept.

Finally, the oldest of the three iconic fountains at Purdue, the Stone Lions Fountains, commonly referred to as the lionheads fountain, was dedicated in 1904. While originally an outdoor drinking fountain, it was at one point turned off and sat dry until the Reamer Club raised funds to rededicate and fix it in 2001.

Since the inception of the Engineering Fountain, students have taken advantage of running through the open fountains to cool off on hot days. Now, it is considered a rite of passage and a key part of Purdue orientation week, Boiler Gold Rush. While the route always includes stops at the Engineering Fountain, Stone Lions Fountains and Loeb Fountain, others incorporate dips in Memorial Fountain on Memorial Mall by John Purdue's grave and Sinninger Pond next to the Purdue Bell Tower.

Superstitions

Throughout the long history of Purdue University, there have been many traditions that have accumulated over the years. Rites of passage include running through all the fountains during Boiler Gold Rush, sledding down Slayter Hill on the day of the first snowfall and many more. Along with these traditions have come many superstitions. Perhaps the most well-known and recent of these superstitions is regarding the Purdue Bell Tower. Shortly after its construction in 1995, the rumor was started that if a student were to walk under the Bell Tower, they would not graduate from Purdue within four years. While some may scoff at this idea, you will find that if they watch the tra ic surrounding the Bell Tower, the vast majority of students will make a point to avoid walking underneath it.

A more upbeat superstition revolves around the Stone Lions Fountain found in front of Stanley Coulter Hall. For most students, the weeks leading up to final exams are extremely stressful and busy. Many look for ways to try and boost their confidence going into their tests. It is believed that if a student were to drink out of all four of the lion heads, they would be granted all A’s on their final exams. While these superstitions may not be believed by all students here at Purdue, they are part of the long-standing history that makes up the foundation of the university.