UCSD Traditions

University traditions contribute to a rich and memorable student experience. What are you waiting for? Join in the fun!

Browse some of UCSD's best-known continuing traditions:

Fall quarter
Winter quarter
Spring quarter
Repeating weekly or quarterly events

Be sure to check out the list of college traditions, too. (They're open to all UCSD students.)

Fall Quarter

• Welcome Week
  • When: The week before fall quarter instruction begins
  • Where: Various locations on the La Jolla campus
  • What: An action-packed week of social and educational events and annual traditions kicking off the new school year, including the Triton Power Hour pep rally and the spirited UnOlympics competition
  • Who: Student Affairs coordinates Welcome Week for all new and returning students.

• UnOlympics
  • When: During each fall's Welcome Week activities
  • Where: RIMAC field
  • What: Students in each of the six colleges vie for the coveted Golden Shoe (and that year's bragging rights) by participating in a series of spirited events.

• Fall Festival on the Green
  • When: Friday early in fall quarter
  • Where: Library Walk
  • What: A student information fair with over 100 UCSD student organizations, live entertainment, food, free stuff, and more
  • Who: Hosted by the Center for Student Involvement
  • A UCSD tradition since: 1983

• FallFest
  • When: Early fall quarter
  • Where: RIMAC Arena
  • What: An annual concert free to all undergraduate students with valid UCSD ID
  • Who: Sponsored by Associated Students and UCSD

• The Chancellor's Challenge: 5K Run/ Walk for Scholars
  • When: October
  • Where: La Jolla campus (race begins on the North Campus Field, next to RIMAC)
  • What: This cross-country race for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends raises money for undergraduate scholarships at UCSD.
  • Who: Hosted by Chancellor Marye Anne Fox
  • A UCSD tradition since: 1996

• Halloween Costume Contest
  • When: October 31
  • Where: On stage in the Price Center plaza
  • What: Costumed students, faculty, and staff bewitch the crowds, competing for prizes for the funniest, scariest, most creative, and most incredibly elaborate costumes. (See photos from the 2009 contest.)
  • Who: Sponsored by the UCSD Bookstore

Back to top

Winter Quarter

• WinterFest
  • When: Early winter quarter
  • Where: RIMAC Arena
  • What: Annual concert free to all undergraduate students with valid UCSD ID
  • Who: Sponsored by Associated Students and UCSD

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade and Day of Service 
  • When: January (Saturday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
  • Where: Downtown San Diego
  • What: Students, staff, and faculty join to march and represent the UCSD Principles of Community. After the parade, join your friends and colleagues for a day of community service honoring Dr. King's ideals. Sign up with the Center for Student Involvement to participate in a services project in the San Diego community. (See photos from the 2009 event.)
  • Who: Coordinated by the Center for Student Involvement
  • A UCSD tradition since: 1978

• Spirit Week/ Spirit Night
  • When: Late January/ early February
  • Where: Price Center, RIMAC, and the colleges
  • What: Competition centers around the start of the Triton men's and women's basketball seasons and involves games, decorated dorms, pep rallies, and cheering contests, ending with the presentation of the Spirit Night trophy — the Cup of Cheer. (See photos from the 2009 event.)
  • Who: Students in all six colleges
  • A tradition since: 1986

• Dr. Seuss's Birthday Party
  • When: March 2 (or nearest weekday)
  • Where: Courtyard in front of Geisel Library entrance
  • What: Celebrate the birthday of author, illustrator, and UCSD benefactor Theodor Seuss Geisel with music, storytelling, a giant Cat in the Hat balloon, and noontime punch and cake for all partygoers. Be sure to check out the library's Dr. Seuss Collection while you're there.
  • Who: Coordinated by the UCSD Libraries

Back to top

Spring Quarter

• UCSD Cares Week
  • When: April
  • What: A community service campaign for student organizations, campus centers, and departments
  • Who: Sponsored by the Center for Student Involvement, UCSD Student Foundation, Associated Students, and the UCSD Bookstore

• Triton Junkyard Derby
  • When: Second week of May
  • Where: Peterson Hill in front of Geisel Library
  • What: Student teams create vehicles out of discarded material and compete in a downhill race while being cheered on by other students, faculty, and staff. The community also votes on the "most creative" car.
  • Who: Sponsored by the Triton Engineering Student Council
  • A UCSD tradition since: 2004

• Sun God Festival
  • When: Second Friday of May
  • Where: Centered around the Sun God Lawn, spreading across Library Walk to the Price Center and RIMAC
  • What: UCSD's annual rite of spring features a day of concerts by nationally known artists, plus food and other festival booths.
  • Who: Organized by Associated Students
  • A UCSD tradition since: 1983

Back to top

Repeating events

• AS Pancake Breakfast
  • When: Finals week of fall, winter, and spring quarters
  • Where: Price Center
  • What: The Associated Students make pancakes and all the fixin's to give students a much-needed sugar break while studying for finals.
  • Who: Hosted by Associated Students

• Farmer's Market
  • When: Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in fall, winter, and spring quarters
  • Where: Town Square, in front of the Student Services Center
  • What: Local vendors sell fresh seasonal produce, flowers, and a variety of prepared specialty foods.
  • Who: Hosted by the Center for Student Involvement and the Sunshine Store

• I-House Conversation Tables
  • When: Weekly (various times)
  • Where: Cafe Ventanas
  • What: International House residents host informal discussions in their native languages with other students, faculty, staff, and community members who are interested in practicing their foreign language skills.
  • Who: Hosted by Eleanor Roosevelt College's International House

• I-House Culture Nights
  • When: Once each quarter
  • Where: International House
  • What: Since its inception in 1988, International House has hosted a series of quarterly events highlighting the cultures that make up the I-House community: European Culture Night (fall quarter), Americas Culture Night (winter), and Asian-Pacific Culture Night (spring). I-House residents create an evening-long program by cooking a meal and producing entertainment events.
  • Who: Sponsored by Eleanor Roosevelt College Residence Life Office

• TGIO
  • When: Friday of Week 10 in fall, winter, and spring quarters
  • Where: Price Center
  • What: A concert to celebrate the end of the quarter
  • Who: Hosted by Associated Students

Back to top

Be sure to visit these sites for more student events (traditional and otherwise):

• Student flyers: Find events and involvement opportunities just for students.
• Pocket Events Guide (PEG): Check this online version, or stop by the Price Center to pick up a hard-copy guide to the freshest and most entertaining campus events each month.

Questions? Or do you have another established university tradition to suggest for this page? Contact the Vice Chancellor - Student Affairs Office, (858) 822-5695.