KU traditions were once vital part of life
By MARY HODSON
Despite what some students may think, there was a time at this University when traditions were vivid things and enthusiastically supported by students.
This enthusiasm was centered around two structures built by students to pay tribute to Kansas spirit. The first of these was a totem pole built by the class of 1893 in the style used by the Alaskan Indians.
At the top of the pole was an owl, supposedly signifying "wisdom," perched upon the brow of Chancellor Frank Snow. Just under the Chancellor was the carved head of a mule, typifying the seniors. Under the mule stood a red devil, the symbol of all juniors. Next was a replica of a sunflower, which represented the sophomores. Last in the lineup was a "straw jimmy and a pair of boots to represent the farmer's son who left the soil for bigger and better things."
AFTER THE totem pole was destroyed by vandals, enthusiasm centered around the idea of a cairn, a Rock Chalk Pile, made from native Rock Chalk as KU's first buildings were. The Rock Chalk Pile was built in 1926 because no permanent tribute to traditions at KU existed.
And it has been permanent in its tribute, although in its 40-year history several attempts at vandalism have been made. The last attempt to destroy the symbol of KU traditions took place two years ago. The attempt was successful in putting a dent into the tributes it carried. Bronze plaques commemorating recent historical achievements at KU were chiselled off. Neither the plaques nor the vandals were ever found.
Both the toot pole and the cairn have lost the charm they once held. The pole is said to be buried under Flint Hall beneath several tons of charcoal; and while the cairn still exists, it too has lost its meaning to most students who pass by it daily without knowing its significance.
If it were possible for these mighty objects to tell their stories, students might not ask themselves if the tradition at KU is to have no tradition at all.
FOR AMONG the first of KU's grand traditions was the May fight which began on May 1, 1891. On that day the junior men erected a flag bearing the numerals of their class year on a 40-foot pole. Sophomores and seniors combined forces to tear the flag down, so freshmen joined the juniors in defense of their flag. The junior men emerged victorious after a whole day of fighting.
According to an article in the "University Courier," this event was the first to arouse the distinct class spirit that had its start in the Eastern schools. It was reported that "The enthusiastic class spirit which prevailed last Friday was something new for the University. We do not remember that classes have ever been quite so distinctly separate. It was a good thing and we all enjoyed it. It is just such episodes as these that make college life enjoyable and that will be the object of pleasant memories in the years to come."
Apparently class spirit developed so well that a series of duels started between freshmen and sophomores. These duels were not confined to May Day alone however, and in 1904 Chancellor Frank Strong felt it was necessary to ban the custom.
The early 1920's was the beginning of what has proved to be the most traditional of any event on any campus. At that time freshman "beanies" were introduced at KU. Students were chastised
for not wearing them. Fines and physical punishment were the rewards for all those who did not conform.
THE "BEANIE" problem was big here for many years. In 1919 one student had his voting privileges revoked because he refused to wear the little blue cap. A year later specific rules were formed concerning the cap. The student council said "It (the cap) shall be worn by freshmen at all times when on campus and at all football games here. The bill shall not be more than an inch in width at the widest point."
The penalty for not adhering to the creed as set up by the council was stiff. It amounted to "punishment suitable to the occasion on campus and chastisement by the 'Red Vigils' off campus." The vigils were a group of upperclassmen who punished offenders of the rules.
Even Chancellor Strong thought freshmen should conform to a reasonable amount of tradition and authority and saw no wrong in making freshmen obey the rules.
Although this tradition eventually died as most of them do, it was brought back again in 1951. At this time some 30 years later, freshmen became alarmed about the consequences. The All Student Council, much tamer than those in the past, ruled that the wearing of the caps would not be compulsory. But it suggested that the "beanie" be worn for traditions sake.
IN 1958 the caps were back again, only this time not many students were very receptive to the idea.
The 1920's also saw the establishment of Hobo day, a day of student rallies for the events of the annual homecoming. Making its formal appearance on campus in 1923, Hobo day was characterized by old clothes, red handkerchiefs and burnt cork. The day was celebrated annually with one or two exceptions until 1939 when it died.
The most important tradition established in the 1920's was the ceremony of student induction. This ceremony, which most freshmen and transfer students attended, was set up to explain the traditions of the University and to invoke a pledge of loyalty. This same induction ceremony has been a continuing tradition at KU since 1924.
There are traditions that last for a long time, those that last only for a decade and those that last for only days. Such was the case in 1949 when the Inter-fraternity council tried to start a new tradition to take the place of Hobo day. "Stag week" was to last Wednesday through Friday. The rules during that time stated that no man could talk to a woman or have any contact with
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Daily Kansan
Friday, November 11, 1966
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Most traditions that have been
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