Traditions
Residence Life at Union has many rotational events and longstanding traditions that are designed to create a holistic living and learning environment on campus. These events are great opportunities to connect with other students and staff and catch a break from studying!
Union Cup
The Union Cup is an inter-building competition that runs from the start of Fall semester to the beginning of Spring semester. Through a variety of fun events and challenges, the Union Cup allows students to create a persona for their buildings and cultivate community through competition!
½ K: Maybe you've participated in a 5K or 10K, but have you ever done a HALF-K race?!? It's a slip-and-sliding, mud crawling, obstacle hurdling, donut eating, water dodging, tag teaming sprint to the finish line. Come to this hype kickoff event for the Union Cup the first weekend after classes!
Hype Video: Are you hype? Are you creative? This is your time to shine. Bring your creativity and energy to this campus wide competition to see which building can create the best HYPE video for Union Cup points!
Find the Cup: Need a study break? Twice a year a mini trophy is hidden in a discrete location on campus. Cryptic clues are released daily hinting at its location. Explore campus and earn Union Cup points (and an individual award) if you're savvy enough to find the cup first.
Chomped: Maybe you're a baking prodigy. Maybe you're a terrible chef but love watching food shows. Either way, you should come to Chomped, a campus wide cooking competition that challenges buildings to create a masterpiece utilizing three unique ingredients. It's a dynamic culinary event you don't want to miss!
Trivium: How's your knowledge of history? Geography? Renaissance era sculpture? Sports? Here's a chance to show it. Trivium is your building's last chance at earning points to qualify for the Final Race (see next). Get all hands on deck and don't forget you can ask a Union faculty or staff member to join your team.
Final Race: The culmination of the Union Cup. The points have been earned and tallied. The buildings with the most points compete in single-elimination events until only one building is left standing, the new UNION CUP CHAMPIONS!
Other Events
Progressive Snacking: Free food anyone? This event provides the opportunity for students to "progress" around to the RD and Faculty in Residence apartments, tasting treats and meeting the on-campus faculty and staff. Food, fellowship, and a study break!
Block Party: No need to go home Labor Day weekend! ResLife will be hosting a cookout with games, music, and activities for all of campus.
Girls Night: Girls just wanna have fu-un!! This night is especially designed for the ladies. No boys allowed! Girls come ready to experience an exciting night with snacks, crafts, games, and even mattress surfing!
Roundtable: This men's event is an opportunity for the men on campus to gather together to discuss what it looks like to be a Biblical man. With a roundtable setup, all who are present have an equal seat at the table to share their thoughts, questions, and struggles in an environment that fosters brotherhood.
Stand Up With Your Sister: A unique event just for the ladies, filled with worship, testimonies, and an anonymous survey that highlights common issues that women face. This is a powerful opportunity for women to gather together, find healing, and show that they are not alone in their struggles.
Boo at the U: The Bowld Commons gets decked out to celebrate Fall! This festival-style event is full of good snacks, a hayride, and loads of fun activities! Come decked out in your best costume for a chance to win some awesome prizes!
Food for Finals: At the end of each semester, students are invited each night of finals to feast on free food like deli sandwiches, pizza, bagels, and more! Faculty and Staff stay up to cheer them on and serve them as they near the finish line!
Christmas with the Olivers: "Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." Freshmen students gather in McAfee Commons to drink hot chocolate and hear Dr. Dub read this special Christmas story!
Welcome Back Breakfast: This annual pancake breakfast is a warm and sweet treat for students on their way to class as Resident Advisors and Residence Directors welcome them back for the new semester!
Smash Bros Tournament: "Choose your character" and test your skills in a fierce battle of the best fighter tournament. All are welcome, but only one will come out as the winner!
Sit Down with Your Sister: A Spring follow-up event to Stand up with Your Sister where a panel of women share their experiences and participate in a Q&A from the audience.
Field Day: Come hungry for good food and fun activities in the Spring!
