Traditions and Annual Events

There's a rhythm to life in the RC, a year full of events, activities, and celebrations you won't find anywhere else on campus. This page is your overview of what that looks like. If you're thinking about joining us, here's what you can look forward to. If you're already here, here's what's coming around the corner. And if you're a parent or community member, here's a window into the life of an RC student.

Welcome (Back) Week (Mid August - Early September)

In the days before classes start, RC Welcome Week fills East Quad with ways to meet people and feel at home. Past Welcome Weeks have included:

Field Day, an afternoon of lawn games, root beer floats, free RC tote bags, and a friendly staff-versus-students water game in the courtyard
Game Night, relaxed evenings to meet other new students
RC Convocation, the RC's official fall kickoff, where the RC Director welcomes the incoming class, followed by food and a chance to explore classes, majors, and student groups
Paint the Rock! Join your RC RAs or MAP Mentors and paint the rock at the corner of Washtenaw and Hill - a tradition for all UM students, not just RC!
Open mics and other low-key gatherings

Throughout the Semester

Once the year is underway, there's almost always something on the calendar.

Twice a Year (Fall and Winter)

RC Coursemart, where you meet RC faculty, ask questions about their courses, and get late-night drop-in advising before registration, usually with something good to eat (the baked potato/fries bar is a favorite)
Festiforum, your chance to explore RC student groups and discussion groups and find out how to join them

Organized RC Field Trips

October, a trip to a local cider mill and orchard, with transportation, cider, and donuts arranged by your RC RAs
February, ice skating at Yost Ice Arena, with skate rentals covered
March, an end-of-the-year field trip to the city of Detroit, featuring activities that highlight how Detroit connects so closely with the mission of the RC

Seasonal Favorites

A Cozy Winter Celebration in the RC, including the friendly chaos of the Great Gingerbread Decorate-Off and hot chocolate movie night
Halloween in the RC, from haunted houses to a Boo Bash and trick-or-treating through the RC offices
Valentine's Open Mic Night
Gallery openings throughout the year in the RC Art Gallery (some are interactive!)

End-of-Semester Celebrations and Performances

As each semester winds down, the RC's creative community takes the stage:

Music concerts
Voice performances
Drama performances
Visual Arts student shows in the gallery
Senior honor thesis presentations and readings, hosted by each major

When midterms and finals hit, the RC helps you through with study sessions, mind breaks, meditation, and snacks, plus advisors who are there when you need them.

RC Graduation

And last but not least, the RC Graduation! We close out the year by celebrating our graduates with a commencement unlike any other on campus.

Every RC graduate gets one minute on stage to say, sing, recite, or act out whatever they like, and caps and gowns are entirely optional. When the last graduate finishes, we all process from the Lydia Mendelssohn Theater to East Quad, led by bagpipes, for a reception where everyone is welcome. Read more about past graduations.

Graduating this year? Watch for the current ceremony date, ticket request form, and cord pickup details, shared each spring by RC Academic Services (rescollege@umich.edu).

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