An energetic University community thrives on a campus life empowered by decades of school tradition — especially ones motivated by a zeal for fostering connection and improvement. Despite its initially academic, serious-leaning demeanor, the University of Rochester hosts a wealth of playful school traditions that have shaped the undergraduate experience since its establishment in 1850: from the Candlelight Ceremony during first-year orientation, to Senior Week at the end of an academic school year. Indeed, a year at UR is incomplete without vibrant celebrations for all who have passed through the University at some point in their lives — for those that are attending, have attended, and will attend. We’ve highlighted just a few of these long standing traditions here.
Established in 2001, Meliora Weekend is designed to bring alumni, current students and faculty, and the community together through a variety of performances, events, and reunions. It provides a mix of learning and entertainment from individuals across fields and disciplines. This year’s Meliora Weekend, from Sept. 26-29, features talks and performances from Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Leslie Odom, Jr., CBS News editor Norah O’Donnell, Hidden Brain podcast host Shankar Vedantam, and actor/comedian Joel McHale. This is one of the first annual traditions of the academic year and spans across various UR affiliated buildings, including the River Campus, Eastman School of Music, and the Memorial Art Gallery. Use this opportunity to explore the abundance of talent from the community, enjoy different events, and give back to the community. Registration for Meliora Weekend opened on Aug. 7, so make sure to register soon!
Next, Springfest! Taking place on a (hopefully) warm and beautiful spring day at the end of April, Springfest weekend is a four-day festival near the conclusion of an academic year, featuring events such as student performances, carnival games and rides, events, food trucks, and giveaways. You might not recognize Springfest as Springfest, but as Dandelion Day, or simply, D-Day. D-Day is built into the Friday of Springfest; as one of the most popular traditions at UR, the day is packed with events. As you walk around Wilson Quad, stop by the food trucks lined up near the dorms, enjoy the student performances outside of Wilson Commons, people-watch the students gathered on the grass with friends and peers, and join the lines for the carnival games and rides. Make sure to hop back in at the end of the day for the free D-Day concert, featuring different artists each year, from pop bands AJR and Coin, to rock band Hippo Campus. D-Day and Springfest weekend is a social and lighthearted way to end the spring semester and welcome the warmer weather leading up to finals week.
Plenty of other Rochester holidays and traditions are scattered throughout the academic year, including Winterfest, Spirit Week, and Forever Rochester Week. These traditions are established not only to bring a sense of community to the UR campus, but also simply to give students a chance to enjoy campus life and the Rochester community as a whole. So take some time to explore all the things that UR has to offer!
