University of Pennsylvania student life
Quaker traditions, Greek life, and diverse faith groups shape campus.
The University of Pennsylvania student life includes numerous events and social gatherings around campus, with some sponsored by the college. These activities range from athletic traditions to performing arts and religious organizations, reflecting a diverse campus culture.
Quick Facts
- Year penn singers founded
- 1957
Facts from the source article.
Traditions
After the third quarter of football games, Quaker fans sing "Drink a Highball," a song referencing the Pennsylvanian cocktail made with Calvados, Madeira Wine, egg white, and lemon. During Prohibition, students could not use alcohol and instead toasted Penn by throwing toast. Another origin story credits a 1977 student who threw toast after attending a showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Today, bagels, donuts, or French bread may also be thrown. The sweeper is called the "toast Zamboni." At midnight before the first Microeconomics 001 midterm exam, hundreds of freshmen gather on the Junior Balcony of the Lower Quadrangle for a collective shout, and streakers often run on the grassy area. This event is organized by the Freshman Class Board. In past Ivy League championship celebrations, fans tore down goalposts and tossed them into the Schuylkill River. The tradition likely ended after a 2003 attempt failed due to concrete footings; in 2009, police blocked the goalposts with bicycles.
Clubs and student groups
Penn has a substantial fraternity and sorority presence on campus, with numerous chapters including Alpha Chi Rho, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Sigma Chi, Delta Delta Delta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and many others. Senior societies also exist but have smaller participation. Platt Student Performing Arts House serves as the home base for performing arts, hosting more than 45 student-run organizations such as the African American Arts Alliance, Mask and Wig Club, Penn Singers Light Opera Company, and Pennsylvania Players. Musical groups include Penn’s Chamber Orchestra, Penn Jazz Ensemble, the Penn Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Pennsylvania Band, one of the oldest scramble bands in the country. Singing groups range from the Counterparts (jazz a cappella) to Penn Masala (Hindi), Penn Shabbatones (Jewish), PennYo (Chinese), and the University of Pennsylvania Glee Club. Dance groups include African Rhythms, Penn Ballet, Penn Dhamaka, Penn Raas, and WAVe (West African Vibe).
Religious life
Penn has no central area for religious worship. Until the 2010-2011 school year, the university did not provide direct funding for religious student groups; an $8,000 "Faith Fund" was then created for distribution by the Office of the Chaplain, which hosts three staff members. Penn recognizes more than 40 religiously affiliated student groups and another 40 campus ministries and local congregations, though without monetary support. PRISM (Programs in Religious, Interfaith, and Spirituality Matters) represents undergraduate faith organizations and facilitates interfaith dialogue. The Penn Catholic Newman Center, dating to 1893, is the oldest Newman campus ministry in the country. Penn Hillel's Steinhardt Hall is the largest Hillel International building of any U.S. college or university. Large campus religious groups include Adventist Students for Christ, Muslim Students Association, Orthodox Christian Fellowship, Penn Baha’i Club, Penn Meditation and Buddhism Club, and Sikh Organization of Penn, among many others.
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