The University of Virginia is a special place, with a language and many long-standing traditions that are unique to our University. Some of these are described below.

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UVA Traditions

From the beginning, UVA's rituals, routines, clubs, and societies have been a vital and enduring part of life on Grounds. Some traditions, like the Jefferson Society founded in 1825 and the Honor System established in 1842, survive to the present. Other traditions were succeeded by new ones over time. The original school colors of cardinal and gray became today's orange and blue, more visible on a muddy athletic field.

Across its 200-year history, the University has also evolved, leading to a more inclusive, diverse, and dynamic student community. Through all the continuities and changes, one theme remains: abiding affection for the University—with the Lawn and Rotunda at the heart of the Academical Village, our respected traditions, and our extraordinary students and professors all remaining hallmarks of UVA for more than two centuries.

Student Self-Governance

One of UVA's most enduring traditions is the trust placed in students to oversee much of its important decision-making. The University Judiciary Committee, Honor Committee, Student Council, Lawn Selection Committee, and many others are staffed and governed solely by students. The 1515 Building on the Corner and Multicultural Student Center in Newcomb Hall are examples of student-led initiatives that have helped reshape the University in recent years.

Convocation

Occurring the first weekend new students are on Grounds. Convocation welcomes new students to the UVA community and is where they sign the Honor Code. 

Final Exercises

Final Exercises, occurring in mid-May, is held on the Lawn where degrees are conferred in a main ceremony by the president. After degree recipients “walk the Lawn,” they reassemble later with their guests in “diploma ceremonies,” where the diplomas are presented to the graduates by Deans. 

The Lawn

Every year, hundreds of students vie for the honor of securing a room on the University's Lawn. A panel of current fourth-year students selects peers whose academic performance and service to the University merit a coveted Lawn room, while a panel of current Range residents selects those graduate students who merit a residence on the Range. Academic deans, accomplished professors, and the Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer reside in the ten Pavilions on the Lawn. The Lawn is also a popular community gathering spot for community-wide events including Lighting of the Lawn, Rotunda Sing, Convocation, Trick-or-Treating with community children, and Final Exercises – UVA's official ceremony for graduating students.

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The Honor System

On November 12, 1840, Professor John A. G. Davis was shot to death while attempting to quiet a disturbance on the Lawn. This incident resulted in the adoption of the Honor Code in 1842.

The University of Virginia's Honor System is one of the school's most venerated traditions. Administered solely by students, the Honor System requires that an individual act honorably in all relations and phases of student life. More specifically, the system rests on the premise that lying, cheating, and stealing are breaches of the spirit of honor and mutual trust and are not to be tolerated within the University community. This ideal of Honor is not imposed upon students; rather, by choosing to enroll at the University of Virginia, students commit themselves to a community that shares this ideal.

Secret Societies

Many secret and semi-secret ribbon and ring societies have been established at the University of Virginia, including the Seven Society, IMPs, Zs, 21, Thirteen, P.U.M.P.K.I.N., T.I.L.K.A., Rotunda Burning, Purple Shadows, and Eli Banana. Members are selected or “tapped” based on demonstrated achievement in the eyes of current members of each society. Most societies have service and love of University at their heart.

The Jefferson Literary and Debating Society

In Room Seven, West Lawn, the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society was founded on July 14, 1825, by 16 disgruntled members of the now-defunct Patrick Henry Society. For over 181 years, the Society has distinguished itself as the oldest continuously existing collegiate debating society in North America.

The Good Old Song

“The Good Old Song” is the school anthem of the University of Virginia. The lyrics were written by Edward A. Craighill in 1895. At football games it has become tradition for students, faculty and alumni to link arms and sway while singing “The Good Old Song” after each UVA score and at the conclusion of the game.

View the Lyrics

The Lighting of the Lawn

Lighting of the Lawn is an annual UVa tradition that was created in the wake of the September 11th attacks as a means to foster unity.What began as a candlelit vigil with a number of students has now grown to a larger event that encompasses both the UVa and Charlottesville communities, creating a space for joy, light, and remembrance.

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Ring Ceremony

Held each fall in conjunction with Family Weekend and the awarding of Intermediate Honors, the Ring Ceremony brings together Third Year students and their families for a program celebrating their time at the University. At the conclusion of the event, participating Third Year students put on their UVA class rings. Another UVA tradition involves placement of the ring. While they are enrolled, students wear their rings with Minerva facing inward; upon conclusion of Final Exercises, the ring is worn with Minerva facing outward to the world.

Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn (TOTOTL) 

On the Thursday of Halloween Weekend, families in Charlottesville bring their kids and dress up in costumes to go trick-or-treating on the Lawn.  

UVA LINGO

The University of Virginia is an institution rich with history and tradition. A good way to begin learning about this is to familiarize yourself with the terminology that contributes to UVA's culture. The following is a short list of some University vocabulary that you may find useful.

Academical Village

The Academical Village is the community of UVA students, faculty, and staff, and the basis of Thomas Jefferson's idea that living and learning are connected. The Lawn is based on this concept with faculty living in the Pavilions and students in the Lawn rooms, with the Rotunda-formerly the University library-at its heart. The Academical Village is one of a select few UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country.

Carr's Hill

The home of UVA's president, Carr's Hill is located across Rugby Road from the sports field known as "Mad Bowl".

C.D., a.k.a. The Cavalier Daily

The C.D. is the student-run and produced newspaper, fully independent of the University.

The Corner

Located on University Avenue, the Corner is the (ironically) straight strip of restaurants and shops that is a favorite spot for UVA students. The 1515 Building, a mixed-use social space in high demand by students, opened in the heart of the Corner in 2017.

First Year, Second Year, Third Year, Fourth Year

Used instead of freshman, sophomore, junior, senior. Why? To be a “senior” implies that a person has reached the final phase of learning, a feat that Mr. Jefferson believed impossible, arguing instead that education is a life-long process.

Grounds

The term used by generations of students, faculty, and alumni to refer to the University, rather than "Campus".

JPJ

Short for The John Paul Jones Arena and is the home of Virginia Basketball. 

Lawnie

The term used to refer to students who live on the Lawn. Selection of Lawn residents is by application and is based on academic success, leadership, and diverse areas of service to the University. Students can apply to live on the Lawn during their final year of undergraduate study at the University and are selected by a panel of their peers.

Mad Bowl

The sunken field across the street from the Rotunda on Rugby Road. Some club sports teams use this space for games. Mad Bowl is a great place to study, play Frisbee, or have fun in the snow during winter.

Mr. Jefferson

Refers to Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, author of the Declaration of Independence, and founder of the University. In recent years, students have grappled with a fuller understanding of the contradictions between Jefferson's brilliance as an intellectual, man of letters, and architect of American democracy, as contrasted against his status as a slaveholder throughout his life. The Memorial for Enslaved Laborers and the larger work of the President's Commission on Slavery and the University represent efforts to more fully understand and recognize this history at UVA.

Use of "Mr." or "Ms." for Faculty

University faculty are referred to as "Mr." or "Ms." instead of "Doctor," even if they have a Ph.D. Students and faculty historically addressed each other in this manner as well. Medical doctors are the exception to the rule and should be referred to as "Doctor."

The Pav

The retail dining facility located on the first floor of Newcomb Hall (real name: Pavilion XI).

Rotunda

The Rotunda was designed by Thomas Jefferson as the architectural and academic heart of the University’s community of scholars.

Rugby Road

Often used to refer to the home of some elements of fraternity and sorority life at UVA, although there are Greek houses located on other streets as well. Learn more about raternity and Sorority Life

Wahoos or Hoos

An alternative name for the Cavaliers or the students at the University of Virginia.

Some Books of Interest on the University

• Rot, Riot, and Rebellion: Mr. Jefferson's Struggle to Save the University That Changed America. Rex Bowman and Carlos Santos (U. of Va. Press 2013)
• Mr. Jefferson's University: A History. Virginius Dabney (U. Press of Va. 1981)
• In the Days of My Youth: When I was a Student in the University of Virginia, 1888-1893. James P. C. Southall (U of N.C. Press 1947)
• The University of Virginia: A Pictorial History. Susan Tyler Hitchcock (U of Va. Press 2012)
• Mr. Jefferson's University. Garry Wills (National Geographic 2002)
• Thomas Jefferson's Academical Village: The Creation of an Architectural Masterpiece. Richard Guy Wilson 2009
• Something New Under the Sun: Education at Mr. Jefferson's College. Meredith Jung-En Woo 2014
• University of Virginia Football Vault. Jerry Ratcliffe 2008