JMU Traditions: Streamers, holding doors and underground tunnels

If JMU is known for anything, it’s definitely for it’s traditions. From holding doors for people who are still a mile away to eating grilled cheese every Thursday and having the worlds largest crack rock right here on campus, this small city campus has a whole lot of reputation to uphold.

Stealing a quad brick

This is a must. Let me rephrase that–this is something that almost all fellow Dukes have done… except yours truly. It’s tradition for freshmen to steal a quad brick at some point their first year on cammpus. They usually get stolen anywhere between Thirsty Thursday and Sunday Funday. This we know to be fact after showing up to campus on Monday morning having to swerve between a shit ton of orange cones signaling of the dangers ahead.

I have made myself believe that JMU’s tuition is so high because without all that cash they wouldn’t be able to keep up with having to replace so many bricks.

And what the heck do you do with that brick afterwards you ask? Decorate your dorm room and future apartment with it, of course.

Streaking the quad

Ok, so this one may not only be tradition to JMU, but like everything else we do it better. Better as in with half of your hall does it all at once and to be honest, I still have yet to hear of anyone getting caught.

Gold and purple streamers

Football games and graduation aren’t complete without purple and gold streamers.

For football games it’s tradition for students, faculty, family and friends to throw these purple and gold party streamers for every touchdown. Nope, we somehow never run out.

Unlike any other college university, JMU likes to do its own thing, so when it comes to graduation it’s no suprise that instead of throwing your cap up in the pair (and potentially losing it) you throw purple and gold streamers. We really pride in our school colors.

The worlds largest crack rock

Not only is Harrisonburg home to the meth capital of the world, it’s also home to the largest crack rock in human history. Yup, you heard that right.

Located on Festival Lawn on east campus we have what we like to call “the worlds largest crack rock”, formally known as the spirit rock. In reality it’s a huge rock that’s used for promoting campus events. When not promoting, it’s painted completely white as pictured above.

Cheesy Thursday’s

Every Thursday here at the happiest place on earth, students and faculty everywhere make their way to the nearest dining hall (D-Hall, because they do it better) just for a savory grilled cheese sandwich and bowl of tomato soup. This is literally every Thursday. Top Dog for example serves grilled cheese every day 24 hours a day, but its most popular on Thursdays. How did the tradition start? I have no clue.

FrOG Week

The most famous event of JMU is 1787. This is the one week before classes start where freshmen only move in, get acquainted and meet their FrOGS. 1787, or FrOG week as anyone really knows it by, is a fall welcome week program were 300+ upperclassmen (The First yearR Orientation Guides) assist their little tadpoles with their academic, personal and social transitions into university life.

This is the week where the memories begin and you only get it once so go all out, oh and the parties are pretty cray so try to at least attend one.

The Kissing Rock

They say if you and your special someone kiss on the Kissing Rock, you’ll get married. But what the heck do I know? My boyfriend refuses to kiss me on it.

Breaking your way in to the quad tunnels

Before JMU was the crazy party school we know of today, it was an all girls school and well since chicks hate getting their hair wet they used it to get from building to building. And with every creepy underground tunnel comes creepy stories of violent murder, suicides, abandoned newborns, strange noises, footsteps or assorted other things “that go bump in the night”.

Yes you can get in the tunnels and many students make it a mission to do so before they graduate. But where’s the entrance and how do you get in? That you’ll have to figure it out on your own, just like the rest of us.

Yelling out J-M-U at potential students on tour groups

…and them having to reply back with “DUUUUUUKES”.  This is done anywhere you see a tour group–inside a building, from the car, on the quad, anywhere.

Going swimming in the Burrus fountain

YESSSSSS RT @amERICnflag: Mermaid in the fountain? Ok…SpottedJMU pic.twitter.com/7XZKUCrRPw

— JMU Gossip Girl (@SpottedJMU) September 27, 2013

We legit once had a girl dress up as The Little Mermaid and go swimming in the fountain. Some other just put bath soap and make a huge bubble bath.

The Fight Song

Madison, James Madison,
We are the Dukes of JMU
Madison, James Madison,
The fighting Dukes of JMU
Fight for Glory– Honors Won
Brighten the Lights of Madison
Madison, James Madison,
Show your Colors
Proud and True
We are the Dukes of JMU

Another football game tradition.  At every home football game, a stadium full of students, family, friends and faculty join the Marching Royal Dukes in singing the JMU Fight song.

Holding doors

Don’t really know if this a tradition or people just wanting to be extra polite, but believe me when I say that I have literally had to run in order not to keep someone from holding the door so long. I was a freaking mile a away and they just waited…and waited…and waited. Now that’s a little extreme.

Purple out

To celebrate Homecoming week, JMU’s Student Government Association hosts the Purple Out event. This is an annual event revolves around the distribution of the “I Bleed Purple” T-shirts. During purple out, students all over campus will dress in purple or wear their “I Bleed Purple” T-shirts in preparation for the homecoming game.

Dressing up the Jimmy Statue

Dressing up the Jimmy statue is most popular winter the winter months and graduation. You’ll occasionally see the little man with beanies and a scarf or a graduation cap. Oh, and sometimes when the nice flowers start to blown, students will put them in his hand.