Traditions

Yale is a school steeped in tradition. Students are surrounded by the history of Yale and of the people who have graduated before them. These traditions become most apparent during age-old ceremonies, like Commencement and Class Day. However, Yale is not only known for having traditions, but also creating them. For example, during Class Day (the ceremony the day before Commencement), it is tradition for students to smoke a special tobacco out of a clay pipe and to wave goodbye to Yale with a white handkerchief. Today, students do this while wearing the silliest hats imaginable, which is a new tradition building on an old one.