School Spirit

School spirit at Brown is strong, but it's not necessarily reflected by the turnout at athletic events or other school functions. Although the bleachers may be empty and some people may not even know the school mascot is the Brown Bear, most people take advantage of other chances to show their school spirit. Brown students do attend political rallies, student performances, art openings, and student film screenings to support each other's work. Brown school spirit is most strongly felt in the mutual admiration among students.

Traditions

ADOCH (A Day on College Hill)

All admitted students are invited to participate in ADOCH, a two-day event in April where pre-frosh from all over the world come to check out the University and meet for the first time. While it's not required, it's the first chance for many students to meet their fellow classmates for the coming year. It's also when a lot of potential students decide to come to Brown.

The Van Winkle Gate

Every student walks through the main gates of the University exactly twice in their undergraduate career. The first week of freshman year, the gates are swung inwards toward University Hall, inviting new University members to enter the Brown campus. years later, upon graduating, the gates are opened out, ushering the grads back into the world and ceremoniously ending their time at Brown.

The Freshman Ice Cream Social

The ice cream social on the terrace of Andrews Dorm during the first week of freshman year is a great chance for people to come out of their dorm rooms and meet other first-years.

Senior Week

The week before graduation is the last chance for seniors to celebrate before leaving the University. Underclassmen are invited to stick around in certain dorms while they work or party at the events. The week includes the campus dance, commencement ceremonies, special nights at clubs and bars, and some of the wildest parties of the year.

Spring Weekend

Usually timed to coincide with the burst of green that happens in late April, spring weekend promises a few solid rock or hiphop shows, frat boys on couches at the greens, and people wearing smiles, shorts, and bikinis. It's a chance to cut loose before final exams.

Campus Dance

During graduation, the campus dance is a centerpiece event where graduating seniors, alumni, families, professors, and underclassmen all come together to waltz and drink on the paper-lantern lit Main Green in front of a live band.

The Gala

The spring Gala is a campus-wide event where students don their fancy rented tuxedos and escort their date to an evening of dancing in a ballroom downtown. Students rent limos or buses, dine in Providence's fanciest restaurants, and dance and party at one of Brown's biggest campus-wide student events. If you missed prom in high school, it's a great second chance.

The “Inverted Sock” Graduation Loop

Famed among University graduation processionals, the “Inverted Sock” walk down College Hill for commencement is a brilliant scheme that allows alumni, professors, and the graduating class to pass each other twice in the mile-long walk to the First Baptist Church of Providence, where the graduation ceremony occurs.