"Folklore of Student Life" holds the accumulated wisdom and wit of several IU undergraduate classes and of a good many IU undergraduates, all focused upon the folklore -- those shared avenues of creativity and expression -- that is part of the college experience at Indiana University. This website is a joint production of Prof John McDowell and his students in a number of undergraduate classes
Text 2 Original Collector: Christie C. Scheidt Title: Traditions of Pi Beta Phi Class: F101 Semester, Year: Fall, 1986 Contributor: Lindsey B At the end of the year when the seniors are leaving, after they have been inducted into alumnae Continue Reading …
Sayings from Lindsey B’s journal “Here’s to you, here’s to me, and if we shall ever disagree, then fuck you and here’s to me” “It is better to be loved and lost, than to never have loved at all.” “Sex Continue Reading …
Text 3 Contributor: Lindsey B Informant: Amanda Meyer Title: Rituals in Sorority Life Semester, Year: Fall, 2005 A.M. Well, when we first get initiated we have a really fun week, “totally sober”, get to know you type deal. So the Continue Reading …
Text 1 Contributor: Lindsey B Informant: Jacob Phillips Title: Rituals in Fraternity Life Semester, Year: Fall, 2005 J.P. One tradition that we have is lavaliering. When a guy in Alpha Beta (pseudonym) gives his girlfriend his Alpha Beta ring meaning Continue Reading …
Text 2 Contributor: Lindsey B Informant: Jon Arrivo Title: Rituals in Fraternity Life Semester, Year: Fall 2005 J.A. Umm, let me think. Well, a couple years back they started this thing called 40’s at 4. The brothers all get together Continue Reading …
Text 1 Original Collector: Al Barnett Title: “Rituals” Class: F101 Year: 1986 Contributor: Lindsey B Pledge continues his work sessions/wake up calls and has a DU 100 in which he listens to a tape of Terry Bullock, DU fraternity president, Continue Reading …
From Lindsey B’s journal: Text 1 In some sororities and fraternities they post “toilet times”. This includes, but is not limited to, gossip around the house, the weather, stories, jokes, and riddles. For example, in my sorority ours is called Continue Reading …
Text 3 Original Contributor: Jeff Harris Title: “Tubbings” at Sigma Chi Fraternity Class: F101 Semester, Year: Spring, 1984 Contributor: Lindsey B Tubbing is a way for the seniors in the house to keep the underclassmen under control. It is also Continue Reading …
Text 1 “Why did the blonde drown in the pool? “Someone put a mirror down there” Context: This joke makes blondes seem like they are shallow and self-centered. The mirror represents the importance a blonde places on her appearance. The Continue Reading …