Hey Day, Spring Fling and school spirit

Hey Day is a celebration where third year students (juniors) go on to their fourth and final year (become seniors) and have to earn the right of way. Due to last year’s mishaps at Upenn, this year, cops were standing by to prevent any throwing of flower, eggs, ketchup or anything else by the seniors. Last year the main campus road was so slippery that apparently seven students were hospitalized after the event. My roommate even swears he saw a senior with a gigantic fish slapping juniors in the face as they were marching. I joined the juniors in the congregation place before the march; it was a large patch of grass fenced off from all directions. They all received a traditional hat made out of styrofoam, a cane and a red “Hey Day” shirt. People were dancing around taking pictures and enjoying the music. It seemed some were barely walking on their feet and were dirty to the extreme, covered with ketchup mustard and flower. I was told they were already greeted to their senior year by their fraternities. Eventually the juniors gathered and marched towards the university’s president’s house which is an impressive establishment located on campus. Amy Gutman, the president came out of her house and proclaimed the class of 2011, seniors. Only minor ketchup and flower throwing incidents were evident. Being with the juniors in their special day was a unique experience. It was amazing to see how much school spirit was shown that day, something that us exchange kids from Holland were really jealous of.

Spring Fling is another amazing annual event, where the whole schools stops and parties for an entire weekend. Everywhere there are shows, BBQs performances and other attractions. The highlight is a performance of a well known artist; this year it was Snoop Dog. The last night of spring fling involves a huge party in the middle of the university, with free food from all the restaurants around campus, inflatable rides and a DJ. Students were dancing on the “button”, a big plastic statue in front of the main library (the equivalent of the green statue in front of the T-building at RSM). It was astonishing to see so many people celebrating over these three consecutive days. Students long for Spring Fling every year and it is probably the event with some of the most pleasant college memories for most. Could you imagine something like that happening at RSM?

Jonathan Friedman is a master student in the Finance and Investments program at RSM. He is currently an exchange student at Upenn’s Wharton.