Moving Up Day

(started in 1922, in 1963 became known as Spring Weekend)

The day when Juniors become Seniors, Sophomores become Juniors and the lowly Frosh cease to be so lowly and enter with proper dignity into their new exalted positions as Sophomores. Seniors who on this day are ushered into the cold world are apt to look upon this last step upward and out of their Alma Mater with sorrow.

(from "Moving Up Day" The Bee May 5, 1923)

Moving Up Day 1961

MUD may just take a weekend to run its yearly course but preparations for it begins months in advance. The main hobby of the students becomes flower making in preparation for their floats. Flower making parties to produce artificial flowers become part of the campus curriculum. As MUD draws nearer the activity becomes more pitched and usually reaches a peak on Friday night when the organizations work through to the next morning. As the floats start to roll down Main Street some float chairmen have been known to be still hammering as the parade progresses.

MUD Queen, Barbara Lang, 1961 (from the Buffalonian)
See more MUD day images

While floats are still in the process of being built, several co-eds are busy campaigning for the honor of MUD queen. Stunts proceeding the voting have included on-campus picnics, Volkswagen stuffing, and decorating the campus with flower-laden archways and colorful signs. The queen is crowned during the MUD ball which usually follows numerous picnics and cocktail parties thrown by the campus organizations.

With the end of a Sunday jazz concert MUD is gone for another year, during which the participants regroup and rest to come back again next year with as much enthusiasm as in the past.

Spring Weekend Events, May 1968

According to the University Union Activities Board, sponsor of the weekend, other events will include a watermelon eat, a tug of war arranged by the Commuter Council, a carnival, car whack, mixer and fireworks shows, trike race, and dormitories Open House... Also scheduled are a concert by Your Father's Mustache, (May 2nd, Fillmore Room, Norton, 8:30pm), a fashion show with candidates for Queen (April 30. Fillmore Room, 3:30pm), and an outdoor barbeque (May 3, lunch and dinner all afternoon, Tower lawn).

In addition to a Spring Weekend Queen, who is chosen by the student body and crowned at the Spring dance, Mr. Faculty is selected each year at this time.