Wellesley Traditions

Wellesley has a long list of traditions, from the obscure to the popularly observed.

Carillon

The carillon, a kind of organ that plays bells, has a place of honor at the top of the Galen-Stone Tower. Whenever a member of the Guild of Carillonneurs has a few minutes to spare, the campus is treated to unearthly versions of classical works “The Pink Panther,” “America the Beautiful” (written by a Wellesley alum), or even “Happy Birthday.”

Class Colors

There are four class colors: red, green, purple, and yellow. The Class of 2004 was red, Class of 2005 is green, 2006 purple, and so on. It may seem like a trivial detail, but it determines the color of class T-shirts (and, in the mid-20th century, the color of the class beanies), the color of balloons at key events like Spring Open Campus and Commencement, and the color of streamers when the graduating class decorates the campus (see Graduating Class Decorating, on the next page). After a few years, the sight of a certain colored balloon bobbing in the Lake Waban breeze has a Pavlovian effect, conjuring up pride and sentimentality.

Class Tree

On Family and Friends Weekend every fall, the sophomore class holds a ceremonial tree planting. The elected Tree Mistress and chosen assistants plant the tree with a ceremonial shovel used since 1879. A plaque commemorates the tree, and it is possible to walk around campus and find the tree of every class year.

Dyke Ball

This is one of the biggest parties of the year, held in February. Sponsored by WLBTF (Wellesley Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transgenders, and Friends), Dyke Ball evolved from “alternative black tie” to “alternative clothing;” that is, party-goers wear everything from Saran Wrap to glittery, feathered Vegas showgirl-style costumes. Men must be in drag or on S&M-style leashes. Though it sounds intimidating, Dyke Ball is a feel-good (but not necessarily feel-up) chance for the community to celebrate all forms of sexuality.

“Fifty Things to Do at Wellesley Before Graduation”

A list printed annually by the Wellesley News and followed religiously by many students. Items on the list range from predictable to gutsy and include: see the campus from the top of Galen-Stone Tower, skinny dip in Lake Waban; read a book that isn't required and that doesn't have anything to do with your major; have a little too much to drink at a department party and start a sing-along with your favorite professor; let a prospective student sleep on your floor; swing next to the Chapel; attend Senate and say something; take a day off and be a tourist in Boston.

Flower Sunday

Dating from 1875, Flower Sunday is one of Wellesley's oldest and most girly traditions. The first Sunday of the school year is given over to a multi-faith service at which upperclasswomen (Big Sisters) give designated underclasswomen (Little Sisters) flowers. Upperclasswomen who want to be Big Sisters sign up within their dorm or choose a Little Sister; though some relationships are forgotten by the time the flowers brown, many women stay close with their Sisters for years.

Graduating Class Decorating

Every spring, the graduating class, after months of planning, buys up all decorating supplies in their class color in the metro Boston area. These decorations—including streamers, balloons, little plastic animals, and much more—are plastered over the academic buildings. Science majors tend to be particularly enthusiastic vandals, and it's usually safe to assume that the Sci Center's taxidermied animals will be dressed up. The fountain next to Clapp Library, Paramecium Pond, and the Offices of the Class Deans are hit hard, as well. Faculty, staff, and students all look forward to this tradition, and it's about as close to actual vandalism as Wellesley students are likely to get.

Hoop Rolling

Now immortalized in the film Mona Lisa Smile, Hoop Rolling is another one of Wellesley's age-old traditions. Little Sisters (see Flower Sunday, above) camp out the night before this May event to hold their Big Sisters' spots on the Hoop Rolling starting line on Tupelo Lane. Come morning, seniors dressed in their commencement caps and gowns use wooden sticks to roll big wooden hoops down Tupelo Lane. Back in the day, it was said that whoever won would be the first to get married; in the go-get-'em ‘80s, she was the first to be CEO. Now, in this enlightened and liberal age, the winner is said to be the first to achieve happiness and success, whatever that means to her. As much as students make fun of the tradition, many participate, some not entirely sober.

Lake Day

Lake Day is a secret Wednesday in the fall when SBOG (Student Board of Governors, a kind of social planning board) “cancels” classes and students gather on Severance Green. Free fried dough, french fries, a moon bounce, and live music should be a huge draw, but Lake Day has suffered in recent years from low attendance, a victim of Wednesday science labs and other “un-skippable” classes. It's still a nice chance to sit on the Green, peruse organizations' tables (a good time to buy a “Wellesley Supports Women” sports bra), and scarf fried food.

Naked Party

The party that titillated Rolling Stone—and hence the nation—is actually quite a small affair (at least compared to Dyke Ball). Seventy or so people gather annually in the basement of Instead, the feminist co-op, with the stated purpose of celebrating the human body, an activity best done while naked. Attendees pay per item of clothing (the event is also a fundraiser for various causes) and then get down with their bad selves, as well as everyone else's.

Ruhlman and Tanner Conferences

These conferences, both sponsored by alums, are chances for students to share their learning with the college community. Tanner Conference, held in the fall, celebrates outside-the-classroom education, including internships and summer or winter session research projects. Ruhlman, in the spring, is a chance for students to present projects they've been working on in courses during the year. Both conferences encompass panels, readings, multimedia projects, and excellent food.

Scream Tunnel

If the sound of thousands of females hollering their heads off doesn't appeal to you, don't run the Boston Marathon or come within a few miles of Wellesley on Marathon Monday. Every spring, students line up on the road in front of campus and cheer on the marathon runners, from the wheelchair racers to the final stragglers. This is more fun than you'd expect, particularly since a token portion of the student population gets drunk enough to make kissing a sweaty stranger sound fun. Popular among students are marathon T-shirts that read, “The Faster You Go, the Louder We Scream” (following another Wellesley tradition, the sexual innuendo slogan).

Spring Weekend

A SBOG-sponsored, event-packed couple of days, Spring Weekend boasts a concert (in the past Wellesley has hosted Michelle Branch, Sugar Ray, and Busta Rhymes), a carnival, and a big party on Tupelo Lane. And, per another Wellesley tradition, everything is free.

Step Singing

Several times a year since 1899, students have assembled on the Chapel steps with their classmates to sing college songs. Though most of these songs have fallen into obscurity, each class's Song Mistress is charged with dredging them up, photocopying them, and making sure the members of her class sing louder and clearer than the others.

Tower Court

Traditionally held the night before the first day of classes, (though, alas, no longer, as this coincides with MIT's alcohol-free Rush Week), this huge party draws students from several Boston colleges.

Walk Around the Lake

One of the more outdated traditions, legend has it that if you walk around the lake three times with your beau, you're bound to get married.