Campus Traditions
Carnegie Mellon may be a young school by some standards (the only top 25 university founded in the 20th century) but it’s already steeped in a set of traditions that are all its own.
Scottish Roots
www.kiltieband.org
Yes, those are bagpipes you’re hearing when you visit campus. Founder Andrew Carnegie, Scotsman first, steelmaker second, passed on a number of his Scottish traditions to the university. The Kiltie Band dresses in full Scottish regalia (including kilts!) for all the home football games; our official school color is tartan plaid consisting of blue, red, green and yellow; our athletic team name is the Tartans and true to our Scottish roots, we’re one of the few schools in the country to offer a major in bagpiping.
Spring Carnival
www.andrew.cmu.edu/org/carnival/
Spring Carnival is one of the oldest and most beloved campus traditions dating back to 1920. Each April, students, alumni and the Pittsburgh community enjoy a fun-filled weekend complete with carnival rides, food and entertainment ranging from stand-up comedians to bands - the two main components to Carnival are Booth and Buggy (also called Sweepstakes) where student organizations compete for trophies and bragging rights.
Booth
www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~sc0V/booth.html
In Booth, student organizations build elaborate one or two-story structures with a design and game in accordance with the overall Carnival theme. They’re displayed on the “Midway” for all Carnival-goers to enjoy.
Buggy (a.k.a Sweepstakes)
www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~sc0v/buggy.html
In Buggy, student organizations participate in a fierce competition of high-tech soapbox racers. Teams compete in a five-person relay race around Flagstaff Hill in neighboring Schenley Park. Drivers (yes, there are really people in there!) steer the buggy through the free roll portion of the race and buggies can hit speeds of up to 35 miles per hour! The Buggy Races are definitely something you need to experience for yourself. It’s a perfect example of the interdisciplinary nature of Carnegie Mellon blending athleticism with design and engineering.
The Fence
Painting the Fence is another time-honored tradition at Carnegie Mellon. The Fence is the unofficial campus billboard. Any student or group can paint the Fence, but there are some strict rules: The Fence must be painted between midnight and sunrise, in its entirety, using only paintbrushes. If you don’t want your message painted over, the Fence must be guarded around the clock. Guarding the Fence is definitely a bonding experience – where groups of students camp out in tents overnight and enjoy a cookout on the Cut during the day – so their messages can be seen by all.
The original wooden fence was in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “most painted object in the world.” In 1993, it collapsed under its own weight and was replaced with the concrete fence standing today. It’s estimated that there are four inches of paint on the new Fence already!
Orientation
www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/first-year
Our week-long orientation program formally introduces and warmly welcomes new students to the Carnegie Mellon community. You’ll have a chance to get acquainted with your classmates, faculty and staff, campus and the surrounding area. Some of the favorite Orientation activities include Playfair (the ultimate icebreaker), House Wars and the Clippership cruise along Pittsburgh’s three rivers.
This is just a sampling of the many traditions our students participate in. We didn’t even get to Fiesta de Primavera, traying or rubbing Hamerschlag’s nose for good luck. You can join in the fun or start some Carnegie Mellon traditions of your own!
