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College, to most people, makes up “the best years of a student’s life.” It is, after all, a different world—a strange place where normal societal rules don’t usually fit and apply as they do anywhere else.
While most institutions implement typical on-campus college rules and regulations, every college and university is unique on its own. Some impose strange university rules characterized by highly restrictive codes. Some policies are often described as quite a little bit too strange for most students to deal with.
Basic school rules, such as restraining oneself from hurting or causing others trouble, exist to protect the welfare of students. Fully complying with common on-campus rules is often a breeze. Every once in a while, however, some schools come up with ridiculous policies that drive students (and outsiders) out of their wits.
- Are you an incoming freshman who’s heading to college any time soon?
- Does the thought of college life thrill you?
Before you fret about all the things you think you could probably enjoy when college starts, you might want to set proper expectations first. Factor in the policies of your school of choice. You never know you might be in for school rules that are too strange for your liking.
7 US Colleges and Universities with Bizarre Traditions and Unusual Policies
Georgetown University (Washington, DC)
Halloween celebration at Georgetown University is probably scarier than in any other college. On Halloween night, undergrad students flock to the Jesuit cemetery within the vicinity, gather around, staring up at the moon and how their lungs out like a pack of wolves.
This decades-old “Healy Howl” tradition “to banish the ghosts and ghouls that haunt the campus” also remembers the 1973 Exorcist film, which was shot around the university. Talk about creepy.
California State University LA (California)
Cal State LA has a peculiar way of segregating housing for students based on their color. You read that right. The state university has offered black students separate dorms that are off-limits to white students. This practice is supposedly acceptable to provide the blacks with a “safe space” from the whites.
Understandably, this policy was generally frowned upon by the public when it was rolled out in 2016. In an official statement, Cal State LA clarified that the Halisi Scholars Black Living-Learning Community, which was “mischaracterized” by the media, is alternative housing for students who are interested in “Pan-African history, culture, and current affairs” and in “issues facing the African-American community on-campus”.
Eyebrow-raising indeed, but whatever works for everyone, right?
Vassar College (New York)
Vassar College has a tradition called “serenading.” Essentially, it is a scene involving freshmen students singing mean and offensive songs to insult the seniors as they walk door to door, pelted with water balloons filled with condiments.
It’s not unusual for students to go door to door, sing, or engage in a food fight in the spirit of fun, but making an annual tradition out of it in a derogatory and insulting manner sounds like a completely different story. For most people, it’s oddly out of the box.
While “serenading” sounds like a good thing, Vassar College does it to portray pretty much the opposite–but students say it’s a fun tradition nevertheless!
Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio)
In 1990, Ohio State University students jumped into the freezing Mirror Lake located inside the campus to celebrate the victory of their football team against their rivals Michigan. The tradition lived on with thousands of students participating in it every single year.
Aptly called the “Mirror Lake Jump” this ritual would happen in the week leading up to the football game. While met with protests following an unfortunate event, the tradition certainly made Ohio State University students some of the most fun and daring bunch.
Brigham Young University (Utah)
Ever heard of a college that’s a certified no-French-beard zone for male students? Well, there’s one in Provo, Utah. Bringham Young University houses a section on grooming because they have an honor code against their male students growing a beard. The school had taken this tradition a tad seriously.
If you have a skin condition that would make shaving a nightmare for you, you simply had to obtain a doctor’s consent to validate your claim. This policy was met with protests but was strictly imposed for years. Later, the policy was “encouraged” with a few exceptions. Shave your faces clean, BYU gents.
Christian Liberty University (Virginia)
In our generation, society has become more and more accepting and tolerant of what used to be sensitive matters such as gender equality, racism, divorce, abortion, and socialism to name a few.
And it is not surprising that a lot of universities today have legitimate campus groups and organizations dedicated to raising awareness on these causes. But in Christian Liberty University, the norm is different.
In 2009, students of this conservative school formed a chapter of the College Democrats and earned recognition for it. Consequently, they were banned by higher administration for an obvious reason: their agenda conflicts with the school’s so-called ethics.
In 2015, changes were made to address students’ cries against too many rules that they believed shouldn’t be there. For one, Liberty University “reworded” their dress code for women to get rid of “a whole big list of things that say “do this and don’t do this.”
Bob Jones University (South Carolina)
We thought that Asbury’s policy on R-rated movies was already weird and tough enough. But we’re not prepared for Bob Jones University’s ridiculous rule: restricting their Residence Hall students from watching movies in theaters or watching videos with an above-G rating even out of the campus.
This religious South Carolina school has also banned jazz, rap, and country music, as well as religious tunes that are based on these styles.
Over the last ten years, BJU has reportedly discarded its “unusual” policies while still being founded on the university’s creed’s Fundamentalist truths. With some acceptable limitations, students can now go to the movies, women are now allowed to wear pants, and gentlemen may now sport beards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do countries other than the US have strange rules?
There are plenty of colleges and universities out there that have strict rules and regulations, but some take it to a whole new level with their strange and unusual policies. For example, one university in the United Kingdom prohibits students from hanging posters or pictures on their walls, while another in Japan mandates that all students wear hats or head coverings when walking on campus.
Do colleges make strange rules just to “stand out?”
No, colleges do not make strange rules just to “stand out.” These rules are often put in place for a variety of reasons, such as safety, tradition, or a specific campus culture. While they may seem unusual, colleges and universities are focused on creating an environment that promotes learning, personal growth, and a sense of community. These strange rules are just one way that institutions strive to achieve these goals.
Additionally, many of these rules have been in place for years and have become a part of the school’s identity. So, while they may seem odd to outsiders, they are an essential and accepted part of the college experience for students and faculty alike.
Am I expected to abide by “strange rules or traditions” with a college’s mandate?
Yes, as a student at a college or university, it is expected that you will abide by the rules and traditions set by the institution. These rules are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and to create a cohesive community.
Additionally, the college experience is more than just attending classes and earning a degree, it is also about immersing oneself in the culture and traditions of the institution. Embracing these rules and traditions can enhance your college experience and help you feel more connected to your school.
However, if you have concerns about a specific rule or tradition, it is always best to speak to a faculty member or administrator to understand the reasoning behind it.
Key Takeaways
There’s no telling if your university will have rules that are unheard of anywhere else, and your college experience could be a weird one. Nevertheless, your school is the best place for you to be equipped as you transition into adulthood. It is where your ideas are heard and challenged to make an independent individual out of you.
All colleges share one thing in common: they are expected to foster an atmosphere of opportunities and growth. For students, brace yourselves because every institution and every college individual is unique; you are responsible for shaping your own daily college experience!
