UVM isn’t a school with many traditions. There are the obvious ones—jumping into the fountain, catgunning, basement shows and the naked bike ride—but beyond that, there are not many shared experiences that unite us as students. 

The culture staff is here to fix that. Here are our recommendations for new UVM traditions.

Tailgating – Maya Surrenti

My one complaint about UVM is that our tailgating culture is nonexistent. 

However, I believe this issue to be easily remedied. There is one sport that I would say a majority of the school is crazy about: skiing.

I propose that prior to every Ski & Snowboard Club rail jam, the school adopts a mentality similar to a Southern university before a football game. 

Students can still put a UVM twist on tailgating and sport fanaticism by connecting it with rail jam. 

I don’t know the exact schematics of how this tailgate would look, but I believe that with enough passion, UVM students could make tailgating a rail jam the highlight of our long winters. 

Talking to yourself in public while wearing AirPods – Kailey Shea

I was walking to class when an approaching student whom I had never met before looked into my eyes and told me they loved me.

I was confused—and quite flattered—until I saw the AirPods: a heartbreaking indication that they were speaking to someone on the phone, and aren’t in fact charmed by my dead-eyed trudge that usually delivers me to my third class of the day. 

Instead of moping around due to my inability to fathom the hot new technological minimalism, I’ve decided to fully embrace the new opportunities it opens up.

It now seems socially acceptable to talk to ourselves in public. As long as we speak shamelessly and confidently enough with AirPods in our ears, people will assume we are on the phone. 

Between shared housing and busy schedules from academics, work and extracurriculars, college students have very little private space where they can outwardly realize and express their thoughts completely free of other people’s judgment.

This new tradition would promote students’ self-confidence in the shared spaces in which they spend a valuable portion of their time. Thanks, AirPods!

Snow Structures – Will Hamilton

One of the joys of living on Athletic campus this winter has been seeing numerous igloos and other snow structures pop up across the landscape. 

From the igloo in the center of the amphitheater before winter break to the current structure still standing outside the entrance to the Davis Center tunnel, these impressive undertakings offer a fun distraction when walking across campus. 

In future years, I hope students continue to assemble these snow buildings and transform the activity into a full-fledged tradition at UVM. The possibility of even larger projects, alongside potential building competitions, looms high on the horizon. 

As long as people can control themselves and not cruelly destroy the structures in drunken fits, I see no reason why more and more snow forts and igloos can’t begin to populate the campus in the future. 

Kissing in the library – LJ Montgomery

A peck on the cheek or a smooch on the hand is a lovely way to be greeted, and no setting is more romantic than the library. 

With the smell of old books and the maze of bookshelves, there is many a cozy nook to hide in—and maybe even find a lover. 

Additionally, when leaving the library, imagine you bid adieu with a kiss on your hand. Appealing, right? 

If we implemented this new addition, everywhere from the third floor of the library to the line at the media desk would be bustling. 

Styling – Eamon Dunn

One thing glaringly obvious about UVM is that it does not admit students based on how they dress.

Everyday, I pass people on their way to class outfitted in gray sweats or some variation of jeans and a hoodie.

It’s fine—you do you. But at some point, it’s worth contemplating the statement you’re making with what you wear. So many people here have beautiful, creative minds but don’t express it through their clothes.

Anybody can do it. It doesn’t have to be expensive—some of the best clothes I own were given to me for free, found on the side of the road or rummaged from the bottom of a thrift store bin.

I recommend UVM’s students step outside of the simple fashion in a way that says little more than “I own a gray hoodie” and instead brings bold as the new norm.