Spring Week

In 1968, Spring Weekend kicked off with former President William S. Carlson conducting a burial ceremony for the remains of Bancroft High School, a frequently used nickname for the University before becoming state affiliated. A coffin and a plate of Carter Hall cafeteria food were set into the ground as a symbol of the passing of Bancroft High. The original Spirit Rock occupied the approximate burial site between Carlson Library and the Student Union. The old spirit is supposed to have been chased to South America. Spring Weekend folded in 1971, but was revived in 1974 as Spring Week and included the SFE Raft Regatta on the Ottawa River, Spring Release held at Scott Park Campus, SAE Olympics, and many other events held in the Student Union, such as the attempt to break records from the Guinness Book of World Records. The members of Omicron Delta Kappa organization took charge of the Spring Week tradition in the spring of 1996. Spring Week was seen as a wonderful way to bring together the leaders and members of all campus organizations for a week of events, games, and fun. Today, Spring Week often includes such events as the Student Government elections, Presidential Election Festival, Greek philanthropy fundraisers, Songfest, and giant inflatable games sponsored by ODK.