syracuse university

Syracuse University Traditions: Know Them, Love Them!

New students celebrate the start of the semester at Citrus in the City in Clinton Square.

As a student at Syracuse, some campus traditions need no introduction: cheering on our 18 Division I NCAA athletic teams, our mascot Otto the Orange and embracing all four seasons (including lake-effect snow!) are each well-celebrated.

Other traditions, however, may be lesser known. Check out the ideas below to see which ones you should add to your Syracuse University bucket list.

  • Citrus in the City
    New students should look forward to Citrus in the City, an annual event that occurs during Welcome Week in August. Head downtown with friends and classmates to enjoy free live music and samples from local restaurants amidst the hustle and bustle of historic Clinton Square.
  • Chicken Tender Thursdays
    While Syracuse University is home to 20+ campus eateries and boasts a myriad of food options, a regular student favorite is ‘Chicken Tender Thursdays’. Head to one of our five full-service dining halls on Thursday afternoons and evenings to enjoy this weekly menu item. Pro-tip: gather with friends at Ernie Davis Dining Hall to people-watch along Comstock Avenue while you eat!
  • Sunny Days on the Quad
    Syracuse Students find many ways to celebrate the winter months, but nothing beats the first warm day on campus during the spring semester. An unseasonably warm day in March? You can bet Shaw Quadrangle will be full of students studying, playing frisbee, listening to music and relaxing with friends.
The Quad is a popular hangout spot – especially on the first warm spring days of the year!
  • Dome Stomp
    Syracuse University’s stadium, fondly called the Dome, is a great place to cheer on our men’s football and women’s and men’s basketball and lacrosse teams with 30,000+ of your closest friends! While you’re there, check out the fabled “Dome Stomp.” Stand between two of the pillars on the exterior of the stadium and jump or stomp for a unique auditory experience!
  • The Kissing Bench
    Be careful where you sit on Syracuse University’s main campus! Located between Tolley Hall and the Hall of Languages, this granite bench was erected as a senior gift from the class of 1912. Although the legend of the bench has morphed over the years, current lore states that couples who kiss on the bench are destined to marry, while individuals who dare to sit on the bench alone will be single forever!
The Kissing Bench is located next to the Hall of Languages, home of Syracuse’s College of Arts and Sciences.
  • People’s Place
    Located on the Quad, non-denominational Hendricks Chapel is the physical and metaphorical “heart” of campus and holds community events, musical performances, public lectures and religious/spiritual gatherings. In the lower level of Hendricks, you’ll find a popular student hangout – People’s Place Café! Entirely student-run, People’s Place is a great spot to grab a coffee or pastry between classes. It’s also cash-only and the only location on campus where you can purchase Coca-Cola products. Need study fuel? Try the Austin Powers, which is half coffee and half chocolate milk – it’ll be sure help you power through a late night in Bird Library.
  • International Thanksgiving
    Every year (for 36 years running!) the University hosts an International Thanksgiving Dinner attended by 500+ students, staff and faculty members. The dinner, started by the late Rev. T.E. Koshy in the 1980s, began as a way to introduce new international students to the American Thanksgiving experience but also serves as a celebration of cross-cultural friendship, international community and fellowship.
Students, faculty and staff enjoy International Thanksgiving in Goldstein Auditorium.
  • Mayfest | Juice Jam
    Syracuse University is constantly bringing a diverse array of speakers, comedians and performing artists to campus, but Juice Jam and Mayfest are two of the largest and most popular events held each year. Planned and organized by University Union, Syracuse’s student programming board, Juice Jam (fall semester) and Mayfest (spring semester) have been headlined by the likes of Lupe Fiasco, Travis Scott, Khalid, A$AP Ferg, Gucci Mane and SZA.
  • Sledding on Crouse College Hill
    Whether you’re a seasoned fan of winter or have never before experienced snow, don’t forget to celebrate a big snowfall by sledding down Crouse Hill. Don your cold weather gear and grab a sled, tube or even a cardboard box and slide away.
Sledding on Crouse Hill, located near Crouse College (home of the College of Visual and Performing Arts), is a popular winter pastime.

Combining Business and Technology

Meet Julia Fontana ’19 G’20
Major: Information Management & Technology
Hometown: Nazareth, PA
High School: Nazareth High School
Activities: iSchool Peer Advisor, NEXIS Research and Innovation Lab, University 100 Student Ambassador

I began my career at Syracuse as a dual student in the iSchool and the Whitman School of Management. During my campus visit, I fell in love with the iSchool and the possibility of a curriculum that combined business and technology. I have always been interested in both areas and Syracuse was the only college I was looking at that had a formalized program where I could pursue both majors simultaneously.

Throughout my time at Syracuse, I have taken full advantage of every opportunity available to me. That’s my biggest piece of advice – there are awesome things happening in the iSchool, so make sure you’re making the most of them!

Collaborative, inviting environment for learning and discovery

The iSchool is more than just a building or college where students take classes. It truly is a community, a family of people, coming together to learn, discover, grow, and help each other.

Unlike any academic environment I’ve experienced before, the iSchool is completely collaborative. Students are encouraged to work together to solve problems and develop solutions. You see this spirit of community most clearly in NEXIS, an entirely student-run research lab located in the iSchool.

NEXIS has provided me with a platform to put what I learned in the classroom into action. It has opened the door to incredible opportunities I would not have otherwise considered.

Opportunities to make lasting alumni connections

As a sophomore, I took a fully-funded trip to New York City to visit the New York headquarters of EY and Microsoft. I participated in hands-on profes

sional development exercises and made lasting connections with Syracuse alumni. My team of students even presented our project to partners at EY!

World-class internship and job prospects

My summer before junior year was spent in Washington, DC at the Federal Reserve Board as an Applications Development + User Experience Intern. Right away I got to work on bug fixes, automation, usability expansion, and participated in client meetings. The work I did made it into production across the entire Federal Reserve Board! This incredible internship was made possible thanks to connections I made at the on-campus iSchool Spring Career Fair.

This internship served as a great way to practice the interpersonal skills I learned through the iSchool. Since I was working with both clients and developers, I had to speak both the technical language of my development team, as well as the business language of our clients. The iSchool taught me the importance of “speaking both languages” and putting it into practice further emphasized my classwork.

Immersion experiences in the real-life business world

During the Spring Break of my senior year, I traveled to the San Francisco Bay Area through the iSchool Immersion Experience program. We visited Syracuse alumni and friends at companies across Silicon Valley and the greater Bay Area. I made 100 new contacts at huge organizations like Google, Uber, Cisco, and Twitter. We even met with startup companies like Density, which was started by iSchool alumni. It was incredible to learn about the tech-driven business culture of the Valley directly from members of the Orange family.

A background in management and technology has prepared me for a future of possibilities. My experiences have strengthened my interpersonal and communication skills and my technical knowledge. More so, I now understand the necessity of these skills in a business world that is growing more technologically-oriented. The iSchool’s flexible curriculum allowed me to take the courses that interest me most. Plus, the school’s abundance of extracurricular involvements have enriched my educational experience. I’ve even decided to spend another year at the iSchool to earn my Master of Science in Information Management through the Fast Track program!

Why We Applied Early Decision

Lauren Czudak ’19
Psychology, Selected Studies in Education
Livonia, NY

Why did you decide to apply Early Decision at Syracuse?

Syracuse was a top choice for me after visiting my brother on campus. At an Orange Preview, I took a tour of campus and met with staff from the School of Education. I learned about Selected Studies, which is such a unique program that has diverse career options.

I fell so in love with the campus and the school and everything it provides. I felt like I was at home. The school spirit and the fact that the whole community “bleeds orange” truly set it apart. Syracuse offered a significant number of student organizations, strong academics, and it was a good distance from home.

What was it like to receive your notification?

I was ultimately admitted to my second choice program. At first, I was extremely disappointed. But my parents were so proud of me and emphasized how competitive Syracuse is. After 15 minutes it hit me how huge the honor was of being accepted ED. Since I wasn’t admitted to my first choice program, the decision was no longer binding. But I still knew I wanted to attend Syracuse. I even transferred into my first choice once I was a student.

Why should students apply ED?

Make sure that you truly see yourself at Syracuse for those four undergraduate years. It is a large commitment, but if you want to attend this university, it’s worth the pressure. Be sure you have conversations with your parents, counselor, and yourself about the application process. Speak your mind and let your parents understand and support your decision.

 

Max Josef ’21
Sport Management
San Francisco, CA

Why did you decide to apply Early Decision at Syracuse?

I began formulating my ideas for what I wanted in college while in middle school. I knew I wanted a mid-sized school with a strong sports team. I ended up visiting five colleges, including Syracuse. I ultimately applied Early Decision at Syracuse because I believed it would best prepare me for my future. The Sport Management program is incredibly strong, with .

Mostly, I wanted my decision early. The college application process is incredibly stressful and I just wanted to know where I was going and have a relaxing second semester.

How did you receive your notification?

I thought I would hear during finals week. I set an alarm on my phone for when I received an email from Syracuse. We were taking a practice final in my Pre-calculus class. As I was finishing up my test, the alarm went off. My teacher shook her head and let me go to the bathroom, telling me to “take my stuff and don’t come back if you don’t get the answer you were expecting.”

Why should students apply ED?

I think it’s a lot less stressful. It makes for a more enjoyable second semester of senior year. For me, I thought it was the best course of action because I knew I wanted to be at Syracuse. I think going Early Decision shows your passion in ways that a 1,500 word essay can’t.

 

Matthew Lyons ’22
Selected Studies in Education
Fair Lawn, NJ

Why did you decide to apply Early Decision at Syracuse?

My cousin graduated from Syracuse, so I heard a lot about the university growing up. It became a true contender in high school, as I was looking for colleges with strong education programs. I visited campus and was struck by how unique the teacher prep programs are in the School of Education. No other school I visited allowed students to have a field placement in the first year.

Syracuse became my first choice. Beyond the impressive academics, I felt at home here. I knew if I got accepted to Syracuse I was going to attend, so why not apply Early Decision? All my application materials were ready to go and it would relieve a lot of stress knowing which college I’d be going to by December of my senior year.

What was the wait like?

The wait was nerve-wracking. You try to put it in the back of your mind, but it’s hard. All my friends who were applying Regular Decision were putting the finishing touches on their applications. But I was dealing with a different type of stress. It was such a relief once I heard back in late December.

Why should students apply Early Decision?

Anyone that is really passionate about Syracuse should apply ED. If the college is your first choice and you can see yourself as part of the Syracuse community, you should apply early. Your application will stand out and it shows your dedication to being Orange.

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