Events Held on The Lawn at UVA
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The Lawn is a historical and central location on the grounds of the University of Virginia (UVA).[1] Each school year, there are a number of events held on the Lawn to build a sense of community among the students, faculty, and the community in Charlottesville as a whole. Listed are events that have become traditions carried out by the university itself and the students.
Convocation is the only time other than Final Exercises that the entire first year class is together in one place.[2] It is also the first major event on Grounds for the students after they are officially moved into their first year dorms. The students are welcomed to the University of Virginia by the President, the Student Council President, and the chair of the Honor Committee. The speakers stand on the Rotunda steps and the students face the Rotunda to symbolize their "entrance into the University community".[3] At convocation, the students are taught what it means to be a student at a school with an Honor System, and it is enforced just how prominent the tradition is in the university's community. The students exit the convocation by signing the honor pledge for their first time as a student at UVA.
Rotunda Sing
At the beginning of each school year, the University of Virginia hosts a Rotunda Sing for all of the students. Rotunda Sing is considered to be the big kickoff event for the fall semester. The event includes over a dozen a cappella groups performing any genre of their choosing.[4] The oldest a cappella group at the university,[5] The Virginia Gentlemen, perform, as well as the oldest all-female group, The Virginia Belles,[6] and the Hullabahoos, who performed in the film Pitch Perfect. During the event, the groups also take the time to advertise when and where their auditions will be held for the upcoming academic year.
Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn
The students living on the Lawn open up their doors to children of the community for trick or treating on Halloween each year. Students started the tradition in the 1980s.[7] Families and children align the 54 rooms surrounding the Lawn while the Lawn residents and other students stand outside each room and give candy to the children. The event usually has a turn out of hundreds of children trick-or-treating and many organizations donate candy to help out the Lawn residents for the event.