Tufts University

There is a big candle-lighting ceremony during Freshman Orientation and Senior Week. The traditions are derived from the Nathan Tufts vow to “put a light on the hill.”

The first night of Freshman Orientation, the entire class and A=alumni gather in the Gantcher Center for dinner and the story of Jumbo. Watch out for indoor fireworks.

Watch out for flying Frisbees! There is a Frisbee golf course on campus, and it is only known to members of the ultimate Frisbee team. They aren't trying to hit you in the head with the Frisbee, they just want it to land on Jumbo's nose.

In the 1960s, students who were living in West Hall (the last all-male dorm on campus) were told that women would be moving in the next year, and they decided to protest. They ran naked around the academic quad, and it has been a tradition ever since. The event traditionally takes place on the first night of reading period in December, usually with some amount of snow on the ground.

This used to happen after the Naked Quad Run, but now due to a number of incidents with naked pancake throwing, the event has been moved to a study break during reading period in the spring semester.

This is the best form of advertising on campus. Every night, students are allowed to paint the cannon, though painting may only be done in the dark. Students then guard the cannon until dawn. If you don't, it is free-game to anyone else to paint over.