Ah, to be young and… going commando? College traditions are known for igniting relationships among students, paying ode to generations gone by, and creating a general sense of chaos – especially when the particular tradition is student-run. There are seven universities with naked or semi-naked events that caught my attention as a Go Commando blogger and an occasional commando-goer myself for their enlightened take on school tradition.
Don’t get me wrong, there are countless Freshman-Free-For-All-Runs and Pre-Graduation-Day-Streaking dealios, but what truly interested me were the unique bare bottomed traditions at institutions of higher education. Below is a list of seven colleges that provide ample opportunities to enjoy school traditions commando, or better yet, in the buff. To find the universities that might suit your nudist style, we have a handy dandy matrix to show the level of athleticism and nudity expected at each event. So, ready! Set! Go Commando!
Stanford’s Full Moon on the Quad
This is one of the tamer events on this list. At the stroke of midnight, Stanford students, typically freshmen, powwow on the university quad dressed in everything from normal clothes to body paint or nothing at all for an annual makeout fest. The university even provides mouthwash at the event, so everyone can have a minty fresh, and frisky, time.
Photo courtesy of Stanford Daily.
University of Oregon’s Undie Run
Many universities participate in an annual Undie Run, which is, as it sounds, a bunch of 20-somethings jogging around campus in their tighty whities. A unique twist is offered in Eugene, though. After the UO’s run, participants are encouraged to “dance their pants off” at a post-race concert and all clothing worn to the event (excluding undies of course) is donated to a local thrift store, which goes directly back to the community. Nervous about the run? Here’s a pre-Undie Run workout.
Photo courtesy of UWire.
Brandeis Liquid Latex
This student-run show takes body paint, and going commando for that matter, to a whole new level. Over 200 people – performers, painters, designers, choreographers, models – put together an annual musical-meets-fashion-show shindig for the Brandeis population. As the name suggests, everyone is coated in a shiny veneer of latex paint.
Photo courtesy of HerCampus.com
Denison Naked Week
In the heart of Ohio, winter usually means snow and ice, but that doesn’t keep student from participating in the university’s Naked Week. The event aims at encouraging healthy body image and acceptance. A highlight of the week is when students run around campus in the buff – and snow.
Photo courtesy of The Denisonian.
Brown’s Nudity in the Upspace
At Brown University, students get the chance to explore nudity in a way that the founders of the event say “isn’t just for skinny, white hipsters.” The week-long event features nude yoga, nude cabaret, nude mural making, and other activities intended to spark conversation about social stigmas and ideas toward the human body. It’s a perfect example of commando activism.
Photo courtesy of AnaylticalClaims
Nearly Naked UC Davis Run
Like the Undie Run at UO, UC Davis students strip and donate their leftover clothing to local communities in need, but unlike the typical Undie Run, runners at UC Davis occasionally opt out of the undie portion. However, in recent years, students have had to keep their skivvies on due to administration complaints. Still, the general chaos of the run – there is no set course – remains the same.
UC Santa Cruz First Rain Run
Collective streaking across campus when the first rain hits isn’t a new phenomena at UCSC. It began over 25 years ago! Now, students pull out the birthday suits, run across campus, perhaps stopping for the quick dip in the university pool, and end where the run began for a drum circle. The nudist celebration continues throughout the night.
Photo courtesy of Flickr user @plubble.
What are your favorite ways to “Go Commando” on your campus? How does your university work to combat body image issues and promote healthy self-love? Let us know!
