Penn women used to be required to adhere to strict curfews on Friday and Saturday nights, and men had to sleep with their doors open after dark.
Although this is no longer the case, the Class of 2006 was educated on these aspects of Penn's history, thanks to an event entitled "Penn Traditions: Building Our Community."
The event -- the first of its kind -- celebrated the traditions of Penn and aimed to bring the Class of 2006 closer together. Speakers included University President Judith Rodin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees James Riepe and University Archivist Mark Frazier Lloyd, each of whom offered unique perspectives about Penn last night in Irvine Auditorium.
Rodin said that she "learned very early that an important part of the Penn tradition is engagement, whether it's in the classroom or the field or in social organizations."
Rodin urged students to "get involved" and to start their own traditions.
After Rodin and Riepe spoke, Lloyd hosted a "Test your Penn History IQ" game where the Class of 2006 was encouraged to challenge its knowledge about Penn.
He then presented a slide show about how Penn has changed over time, from solely occupying Logan Hall to covering over 250 acres of West Philadelphia, as well as transitioning from a single-sex university to a diverse, coed institution.
Among the traditions presented was Hey Day. Begun in 1916, it marks the official passage of the junior class into its senior year.
After the program's conclusion, the Class of 2006 was given a free dinner and t-shirt, as well as the opportunity to converse with President Rodin and Assistant Director of the Penn Fund Elise Betz, who organized the event.
Betz said that she began "fleshing the program out about a year ago" with the help of Assistant Vice President for Individual Gifts Thomas Farrell.
Betz said that being a Penn student and alumnus is "a lifelong relationship that starts the moment you're accepted to Penn and then continues for the rest of your life."
Betz added that it is "important for students to have the opportunity to learn about" Penn in a "fun and meaningful" way.
Most students agreed, saying that they enjoyed the program.
"I thought the event was really great because we got to hear what the president thought about" Penn's traditions, said Wharton sophomore Annie McWilliams.
College sophomore Jessica Clarke agreed, saying, "It was very informative. I did not know all that stuff about Penn."
