Hey Day

Overview
Hey Day is a tradition that takes place on the last day of classes in the spring semester at the University of Pennsylvania. The day marks the unofficial transition of the junior class into the senior class. Students wear red t-shirts designed by a classmate and fake straw hats and carry canes on a march through campus. The junior class begins their march at the Junior Balcony in the Quadrangle dormitories and proceeds to College Green in the center of campus, where the school president officially pronounces them seniors. The senior class historically stands alongside Locust Walk during the procession and heckles the junior class.
History
*1916: Hey Day was established to symbolize the moving up of the classes. This tradition mimicked a recently implemented tradition at Syracuse University. In addition to the pronouncement of moving up, the new senior class president and other elections were announced, and a number of competitive sporting events took place.
*1931: Another University of Pennsylvania tradition, Class Day, is combined with Hey Day to address student complaints about the conflicting times of celebrations and finals.
*1937: The parade of classes is introduced as a new tradition.
*1949: Students begin wearing straw hats with a red and blue band and carrying canes during the class march to make the event distinctive.
*1980: Students add red and blue t-shirts to the uniform worn during the procession.
*1990: Students pour beer on the current university president, Sheldon Hackney, and carry him on their shoulders out of his office, threatening the Hey Day tradition.
*2002: The senior class begins the tradition of standing along the procession and hazing the junior class by throwing items such as ketchup, mustard, and chocolate sauce as they walk.
*2007: The university takes action to prevent hazing traditions by having the senior class sign an anti-hazing pledge. Students are restricted to throwing marshmallows and streamers.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu