Each year, there are tons prospective students who come to the bluff at the University of Portland to get a feel for what it is like to be a Portland Pilot. They come from near and afar, from local and private schools, religious and non-religious backgrounds. No matter the story that each visitor holds, they still fall nicely into the cookie cutter stereotype that any Portland Pilot can recognize as none other than what they are: a college tourist. Whether you are sipping a cup of coffee at the Pilot House or checking your email in the library, you are sure to notice the commotion that comes along with the posted signs along the sidewalks that read, “Admission Event This Way."

1. Parking

If one ever pays attention to the parking available on the University of Portland campus, it can be seen that the normal amount of parking spots available are noticeably less when these days occur. As far as parking goes, the indication of a Visitation Day comes with a large amount of cars seen without student passes suspended by the front mirror.

Being in the location that it is, the University of Portland already has a parking problem. Let's just say that during the prime time of classes during Visitation Day, the main parking lot is crammed full!

2. Mobs of people are walking around.

When there is a Visitation Day, masses of 20-plus people can be seen wandering about. Academic hall to academic hall, and everywhere in-between; including the library, and the recreation center. All the time, being led by a student who knows the ins and outs of life on the bluff. Even if one is not aware of their surroundings, it is obvious when there are people wandering about the campus in a way that can only be identified as unfamiliar.

3. People stare at you like you are a zoo animal.

It is a strange feeling to walk out of the dorm and through the various quads, and feel as if you are being watched. Not like the type of watching that indicates observation, but the type of studying. That it is as if they look at you hard enough, they would truly understand what the university stands for on a deeper level; maybe even reveal unspoken secrets. It is strange to feel like a monkey at the zoo, feeling the glare of judgment as you are minding your own business walk on by to class. I guess feeling like a zoo animal isn’t so bad if it means that another person gets to experience the wonderful privilege of attending the University of Portland.

4. The trays come out of hiding.

Among the students who dine at the Bauccio Commons, there is an unspoken rule. Something that has become the norm. Never questioned, only followed, generally by the majority. As far as us students are concerned, there is only one reason to use trays. Trays are for one occasion and one occasion only. This rare occasion can only occur if cold, white flakes of snow are floating through the atmosphere...because what is better than sledding behind the Commons? Don’t ever say that we don’t use our resources.

5. The sun shines.

Portland, Oregon, is known for its abundance of rain that is usually far from being short in supply. It surely seems as if the weather is waiting to bring its sunny Portland best when the information packets come out and the tour start.

The irony is, 8 out of 10 times, there will be rain when you are at the University of Portland. Ask any student, they will surely be able to testify to that. Maybe the sun comes along with those who are temporarily on the bluff. All of the folks from California, and other sunny states must literally bring a pocket full of sunshine; sharing with the normally damp campus for the duration of their stay.

6. Every food line is extra long.

During hours of peak food consumption, the Bauccio Commons and other eateries can be seen filled with masses of people. This is especially so when there are prospective students visiting the campus to see if they, too, want to take on the role as a pilot.

Trying to get lunch in a hurry? Try again later because there are a lot of other people who are trying to do the same. In fact, there are a lot more. Think that the line will go smoothly? Not likely, due to the fact that these visitors also are unfamiliar with the system of the interworking of the retrieval of food.

Most of us have been in their shoes. We, too, have visited various universities in the hopes of finding a place to call our home away from home, while attaining an education that can fulfill our dreams. Maybe this disruption caused from these stereotypes is not actually bad. What if seeing these signs invited to us to show a little more kindness and patience to people who are not occupants here? After all, this is purple country, so let’s show our visitors what we are truly made of! Full of pride and a little bit obsessed with the color purple!