Franklin & Marshall College

A less savory tradition is one revolving around the statue of Ben-in-the-box next to Keiper Hall. Late at night, young men (and certain among the more adventurous young women) urinate at his base as an initiation rite of sorts. Whatever you do, don't touch the statue!

F&M's traditions tend to be more spur-of-the-moment, generally. We have very little compunction about making them up as we go, and few of us feel guilty about that. We have so much history, you see, that everything balances out. If you want to start one, go for it!

Every Reading Weekend, the day before finals begin, the Flapjack Fest takes place. FSA serves breakfast to fidgety scholars from 9 p.m. to midnight, teasing them about their upcoming exams. This is a wonderful time to relax, spend time with your friends, and frantically exchange chemistry notes with your lab partner—just kidding!

In a similar vein, every few years, the faculty, staff, and administration get together under the guidance of talented musicians and librettists, and perform Fum Follies, a revue parodying some aspect of student life, college history, and current events.

All first-year students, as a part of First-Year Orientation, participate in the pajama parade. As halls, they decorate banners, perform skits, and choreograph dance routines. These skits have typically demonstrated great hall spirit (Mighty Mighty Second Dubbs), as well as some aspect of college history. The merging of the colleges, the decision to go coed, or the schools' original founding are all fair game.

The trays from the dining hall make great sleds, and there are more than a few quality hills in Buchanan Park. Steal one the first time it snows and sled your heart out! But remember to return the tray, or Dining Services gets cranky.