TraTIPtion

Article and Photos by: Maddie Kim, M&M TIPster
A lot of people would say that Duke TIP is about tradition. For example, at the end of dances everyone sways back in forth in a huge circle around the dance floor. Fourth years sway in a smaller circle within the large circle. We normally do this during traditional TIP songs like “Save Tonight”, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, and “American Pie”.
Another thing that Fourth years do is fourth year wills. This is basically a collection of treasured memories and inside jokes that the Fourth years want to pass down to younger TIPsters before they leave the Duke TIP program for good. It’s a way to keep the good times alive. Fourth years will also adopt second years and third years, who are the babies of the program.
Another tradition is some sort of a field day. Normally it is hosted on the second Saturday of TIP. At ASU, it is called Pittfest. At KU, it is called Swampfest. Here at UGA, it is called Dawgfest. Dawgfest is a series of events where teams compete to be the champion of the TIPsters. This year the five teams were pink, red, orange, green, and blue. It normally involves water balloons and lots of spirit!
The last day of the term is normally a sad occasion for the TIPsters. 2nd and 3rd years are allowed to stay awake until 1:30 AM. However, 4th years are allowed to stay up until 3 o’clock and then go to IHOP for food. Being their last time ever at TIP, 4th years are normally teary during their final goodbyes.