Longwood University is one of the best universities out there. Our university strives to make campus home, and, for most Lancers, home is where the Rotunda is. Just like every other university out there, Longwood has traditions and practices its students keep. Here are nine things every Lancer knows to be true:
1. Respect the Rotunda. If you walk around Longwood University's campus, you'll notice students avoiding the blue rotundas painted on the sidewalks. Rumor has it if you step on a rotunda you'll turn blue, have blue babies, fail your courses, etc. These rotundas are a symbol of Chi, and let's just say they aren't too happy when people disrespect the rotunda (see number three for more information on Chi). Bottom line: don't step on the rotundas.
2. Superstitions are no joke. Just as you will see students avoiding the rotundas around campus, you'll probably see them stepping, stomping, or even jumping on the Princeps (seven pointed crowns) painted around campus. It's nearly impossible to walk somewhere on campus without running into one. Students seek out the crowns before a big test, on the way to their worst class, when they're having a bad day, or just when they're in need of an extra dose of luck.
3. What secret societies? There are two secret societies on campus, Chi and Princeps. Chi holds another big tradition at Longwood: Chi walks. The date and place of these walks are unknown until the day of, but they're always held at midnight. The members of Chi wear long, blue robes with hoods and walk in a single file line with their heads down while singing their anthem. No one really knows much about these societies (unless they're a member), but everyone wants to find a Chi dropping and receive a paper/wooden seven from Princeps.
4. Water fountains are our playground. Just because we're technically adults, doesn't mean we don't like to have fun. If you're walking around Longwood University, chances are you'll see at least one Lancer splashing in one of the many fountains around campus... even when it's cold out. Alumni have been known to come back and splash around in the fountains, and some have even taken their wedding photos in them.
5. Don't play in Chi. If you're a Lancer, you're a member of Chi by association. Just because we're all Chi, doesn't mean we can play in Chi. As I previously mentioned, water fountains are our playground. There is, however, one fountain every Lancer knows not to touch. I've commonly heard students claiming you won't graduate if you're caught in playing in Chi. Is this true? I don't know. Is it worth the risk? Definitely not.
6. Our football team has been undefeated since 1839. College students everywhere are buzzing about football season when the fall semester begins. The Lancers are undefeated... because we don't have a division football team. We do, however, have a pretty decent club football team. It's a running joke around Farmville that Longwood is undefeated in football.
7. Basketball is our football. Lancers experience those exciting tailgates and "fall" nights that other colleges experience during football season when basketball rolls around in the winter.
8. Ghosts are real. Students gather around every year at the Oktoberfest to hear Dr. Jordan's ghost stories. Come rain or shine, Dr. Jordan gives this annual spook. When the weather permits, it will be in the form of a bonfire in Iler field, otherwise we gather in the Jarman auditorium. From the Curry elevator to the Longwood Bell, our campus is full of ghostly traditions. It isn't rare to hear Lancers talking about and believing these stories.
9. Finger painting is child's play. Lancers take painting to the extreme every year at the Oktoberfest. Students who graduate in even years are red, odd years are green, and transfers are blue. We stand with baited breath on the make shift battle field and await the countdown. The team that can cover President Revely (yes, the dean of our University does participate) in the most paint wins the color wars for that year. Who needs finger painting when we have color wars?
