By Heather Hammond
Assistant Dean
Office of First-Year Experience
What do you think about when you hear the word tradition? Tevye breaking out into song on Fiddler on the Roof? Family activities? High school rituals?
Traditions bring people together. Traditions build a community. At BYU, we want to bring students together and help them feel like a part of the BYU community. So, we are giving you the inside scoop on the BYU traditions you have to look forward to.
Ask anyone about traditions at the Y, and you will hear either Hiking the Y or Tunnel Singing.
Hiking the Y: President George H. Brimhall commissioned students to put the letters B, Y and U on what is now known as Y Mountain. Students stood eight feet apart and passed lime, sand and rocks to create the Y. After so much effort to create the Y, no attempt was made to construct the B or U.
Standing 380 feet tall, the Y is now the largest college symbol in the U.S. The 1.2 mile trek up to the Y is not for the faint of heart, but it is a must for every Cougar.
Tunnel Singing: By some strange marvel of physics, the tunneled walkway that leads to the Marriott Center happens to have perfect acoustics for singing. Back in the early ’90s, a campus housing RA put this surprising discovery to use by organizing tunnel singing every Sunday night, followed by announcements of mission calls. This is a freshman-only tradition, so don’t wait too long to try it out. Bring your own hymnal and flashlight.
BYU traditions don’t stop there. While these are indeed the most obvious BYU traditions, there are many more.
Homecoming week is packed with traditions, and although homecoming is not unique to BYU, True Blue Football is. You can’t go wrong with massive amounts of blue foam, a Slip ‘n’ Slide and hundreds of students.
While you are slipping and sliding, perhaps you will meet someone you want to get to know a little bit better. There is no shortage of dating traditions; the ever-popular tandem bike ride, International Cinema or one of BYU’s exceptional comedy groups. Perhaps even better than the date itself is the tradition of hearing about the date afterward. BYU dating stories are known to be epic.
On a more serious note, attending weekly Devotionals is one of the most rewarding traditions at BYU. When papers are due, exams are looming and skipping Devotional is the path of least resistance, do not do it! Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to renew your spirit and learn from BYU scholars and General Authorities.
If you want to learn more about traditions at the Y, get a free copy of “The Y Book” at New Student Orientation. The book includes the Cougar Challenge in which students complete traditions to earn a True Blue Pin or Medallion. Secondly, register for University 101, section 1 this fall. This seminar for new students covers all kinds of BYU traditions and includes field trips to some of BYU’s best kept secrets. Seats are limited, so sign up early.
