Every dorm hall has its traditions. Stanford’s reflects its wholesome camaraderie, faith, and contagious revelry.
Pirate Dance and Pirate Week
“Arghhh!” You can’t escape that word in Stanford during Pirate Week, which is the week leading up to our SYR, the beloved Pirate Dance. SYR originally stood for “screw your roommate,” wherein roommates would pick each other’s dates. That tradition is long gone. Today, SYRs are synonymous with loud music, funny outfits, and dorm bonding. Pirate Week is filled with pirate-related celebration which ends with Griffins all dressing up in our best thrifted pirate attire and marching out to the Pirate Dance tent.
Christmas Decorating
The week following Thanksgiving Break, in anticipation of the birth of Jesus at Christmas, Griffins come together to deck the hall[way]s! The lights are dimmed, Christmas lights are strung, and doors are decorated with wrapping paper.
Mardi Scraw
New to Stanford in 2023 and originated by a group of Louisianan Griffins, Mardi Scraw has become North Quad’s celebration of Mardi Gras. What began as a Stanford-only event in the basement has blossomed into a campus-wide celebration. In the Spring of 2025, Mardi Scraw moved to a heated tent on North Quad and won Signature Event of the Year, with over 600 tickets sold and $4,000 raised for a local charity, Our Lady of the Road.
Faith Traditions
Sunday Mass
Our Catholic faith runs deep and our Mass attendance is high all week long. Sunday Mass is the best part of each week. Please join us.
Communio Retreat
This is a highlight of the year. Griffins come back a few days early from Christmas Break to spend time with each other and God. Griffins who have gone have not regretted it!
Lenten Witness Talks
On Thursdays during the Season of Lent, one Griffin shares a story of their faith journey up to that point in their life—often a mixture of struggle and grace. These testimonies are authentic and beautiful expressions of trust, as brothers share so openly with one another.
Check out our faith traditions.
