Carnegie Mellon University
Division of Student Affairs  ›  Office of Student Involvement & Traditions  ›  Traditions & Programs

Traditions & Programs

CMU's traditions and hallmark events help create the fabric of the university. They build community, celebrate CMU and connect us to our great city. 

The Office of Student Involvement and Traditions coordinates many annual traditions and programs where graduate and undergraduate students, as well as the entire CMU community, come together to connect, engage and celebrate their Tartan pride.

Student-Led Events

Many CMU traditions are coordinated by students! Explore TartanConnect to learn more about student-organized traditions and programs.

Arts Pass

Student can enjoy free access to eight Pittsburgh venues with their Carnegie Mellon ID.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Emerging Leaders

A program for first-year students that promotes leadership skills through community engagement and service initiatives.

Students stand around Schenley Park as part of their Emerging Leaders Program

The FAIR

Explore CMU's student organizations and fraternity and sorority chapters.

Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers pose for a picture at their table on The Cut during The FAIR.

Finals Muffins

Finals muffins, or “Maggie’s Muffins,” is a tradition started by Margaret Cyert to distribute muffins to students during fall and spring finals.

Close-up of a blueberry muffin on a table

Greek Sing

Through song, dance and acts, Greek Sing encourages philanthropy and service to support the fraternity and sorority community, Carnegie Mellon and Pittsburgh. 

Members of CMU's fraternities and sororities hit their final pose of their Greek Sing number in Soldiers and Sailors Hall.

Pittsburgh Connections

Pittsburgh Connections engages students in outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and culture throughout Pittsburgh and Western PA.

Students pose outside of Golden Triangle Bike Rentals

Senior Leadership Recognition

Honors students who have made an unparalleled impact on our community as a result of their leadership, vision and initiative.

Honored student poses with her family in front of the Tartan Proud wall

Senior Week

Senior Week provides opportunities for graduating undergraduate students to have fun and check things off their bucket list before graduation. 

Students are dressed in their cap and gowns at Commencement

Spring Carnival & Sweepstakes

Carnival is CMU’s most revered tradition, which includes Sweepstakes, or Buggy, where teams design, build and race aerodynamic pushcarts.

Team members make a tunnel to cheer on a buggy driver and pusher at Sweepstakes

Community Engagement Fair

Chat with and recruit engaged individuals who are passionate about community service.

Student holds up a flower she's planting in a community garden

Winter Fair

Explore CMU's student organizations and fraternity and sorority chapters.

Sustainable Earth student organization members smile at their table at The Winter Fair.

Winter Welcome

Winter Welcome offers three week of fun programs and events in January and February following the Winter Break.

Students "cheers" their s'mores together in Kirr Commons during a Winter Welcome S'mores-making event.

University-Wide Events

Commencement

Commencement weekend celebrates CMU's graduating classes.

Students in caps and gowns on graduation day in Gesling Stadium

Family Weekend

Family Weekend brings together CMU undergraduates, graduate students, their families and friends to showcase the vibrancy of campus.

Three family members smiling for the camera dressed in CMU gear during Family Weekend

The Fence

A long tradition of students has been to paint the Fence with messages, as a campus billboard.

The Fence painted blue and yellow under a blue sky

First-Year Orientation

First-Year Orientation supports new students in a successful transition to CMU.

First-year students gather on the Cut to cheer in unison during Orientation week

Homecoming

Homecoming offers the CMU community the opportunity to reconnect and celebrate CMU's spirit and beloved traditions.

Students and families cheering in Gesling Stadium at Homecoming

Scotty Saturday

Scotty Saturday celebrates Carnegie Mellon spirit and pride.

Students pose with mascot Scotty on the East West Walkway during Scotty Saturday

Always More to Explore ...

Community Engagement
Fraternity & Sorority Life
University Calendars