All college students have "in jokes" and things that no one else would even begin to understand with their fellow students and alumni. It is part of the college culture. All universities believe that their own are the best, of course. However, I believe that Liberty University really does have some of the greatest "ins" of any school.
1. Jerryyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
There is nothing like sitting in The Vines and seeing our president walk out on stage and hearing the famous low roar that Nasser has taken to explaining to all of our Convo guests. (Apparently it sounds like "booooo" to visitors who do not know what we are saying...?) Even though many of us in the student body may not agree with some statements that our president has made, the love we have for Jerry is pretty universal.
2. Spirit Rock
Ah! The famous painted rock! When I asked around to see how long LU students had been painting this campus landmark, everyone said for as long as they can remember. So who knows how many generations of Flames have painted it or how many layers of paint are on that thing! Speaking of flames, though, I did hear one story where, many years ago, someone decided to set the rock on fire since paint is so flammable. Apparently, all of the nearby trees and bushes also caught fire...so no one get any ideas.
3. The Rot
Not many current students know the reason that the dining hall is called "The Rot." When prospective students visit, they are informed that they are going to visit the "Reber-Thomas Dining Hall." In pamphlets and promotional videos, it is called the "Reber-Thomas Dining Hall." I would imagine that is because Liberty wants everyone to focus on the fact that it was voted "Best College Dining Hall" in 2015 and 2016 and not on calling a student's main source of sustenance something as appealing as "The Rot." However, back in the "olden days," the Rot was run by the Marriott Company. So, inevitably, it got shortened to "Rot." I am sure that whoever Reber and Thomas are, are wonderful people, but the "Rot" just stuck!
4. North
Again, this is one of those campus "traditions" that has stuck for no apparent reason. Their first week on campus, every freshman is told by an older student that no, we do not, in fact, call it "Green Hall" or "Campus North." This is another name that the pamphlets and promotional videos always get wrong. Many moons ago, our warehouse-turned-coolest-building-ever, was not named "Green Hall." Everything on that side of campus was dubbed "Campus North." (Just like East's official name is "Campus East.") But everyone switched it around and started calling it "North Campus." Then, it got shortened to just "North." LU changed the name of the building to "Green Hall," but everyone still calls it "North."
5. LU Cranes
Liberty is notorious for always building. The entire campus is continually one massive construction site. While we love getting new and improved buildings and facilities, sometimes the perpetual mud gets old....and the cranes everywhere....and the constant beeping....and hammering....and explosions. But that is okay! We have chosen to embrace our new heritage. Most of the student body calls ourselves the "Liberty Cranes" instead of the "Liberty Flames."
6. The Shadowlands
Most students know the area of the Annex as "The Shadowlands." While those of us who have lived at the Annex at one time strongly disagree with it being the "party" area of campus, it is true that it is not on main campus and gets treated as the outcast. In reality, it has a great community feel and a whole lot of fun. But most embrace the "Shadowlands" reference.
7. Housing Rivalries
As alluded to in #6, there are definite housing rivalries on campus. Every area of campus truly believes that it is the best area of campus on which to live. East, South, the Annex, the Quinn (former), the Circle (former), Commons, and the Hill are all in different places on and off campus. And loyalties to those areas run deep. This rivalry and loyalty have been around since there was more than one place to live on campus. It is a core part of the culture on campus and is always meant in good fun. (Shout out to the Quinn and East 83!)
8. Open Dorms
I am pretty sure that no other school has "open dorms." As a matter of fact, I am pretty sure that if you are reading this and did not go to Liberty, you have no idea what I am talking about. See at Liberty, we have completely closed dorms. Meaning they are strictly male-only and female-only. Not only are the dorms not co-ed, but men and women are not allowed to visit each other's dorms. Except for once a semester!! Oh, the fun! Oh, the rejoicing! Open dorms is a two-hour period where guys and girls can visit each other's dorms. During this time, doors have to remain open and every 30 minutes an RA will come around to make sure there is no hanky panky. But still, at least everyone gets to visit someplace other than the Library, Rot, Tilley, or Student Union!
9. CFAW!
Every semester, Liberty has an event called CFAW, or "College for a Weekend." This is when thousands of high schoolers come one campus, live in the dorms with us, and participate in school activities. CFAW has become notorious among students. While we certainly love our school and want other people to love it and attend, we do not enjoy CFAW. The traffic on campus is extreme. Forget driving anywhere for the entire weekend. Many of the high school-ers are ungrateful, messy, and steal from the students. It has turned into youth groups being bused in for the weekend, and the students viewing it as a weekend vacation, while totally disrupting campus. However, while it can be a nuisance, most students would tell you that they would not want LU to do away with CFAW. Many students decided to come to Liberty because of CFAW and a wonderful host who really showed them what Liberty is all about. So we deal with the few "bad apples" for the opportunity to share our school with the next generation of Liberty students.
10. Cleanliness Checks
The notorious cleanliness checks! Everyone who lives on campus is subject to having their rooms checked for cleanliness every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at around 10:30 a.m. Now when the semester first starts, everyone is pretty good about actually cleaning up their room and putting away their clothes. However, as the semester wanes and sleep becomes more precious, no one really feels the need to fully clean anymore. So every surface is barely wiped off, books are shoved under beds, bed covers are pulled up to give the illusion of a made bed, and clothes are thrown in the closet and the curtain pulled. Luckily, due to privacy laws, RAs are not allowed to open closed or covered spaces.
In the end, there really is nothing like being a Liberty Flame. There may be around 14,000 students on campus, but Liberty does not feel big. Really, we are all one big family, and I would not trade that for the world.
