Traditions | Campus Life
Source: https://www.sjsu.edu/campus-life/traditions.php
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:18
Traditions | Campus Life
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Traditions
What Does it Mean to Be a Spartan?
For more than 160 years, shared qualities like creativity and adaptability have connected
generations of Spartans. Our traditions, both new and established, also connect our
dynamic community.
Show Your SJSU Pride
Spartan Pride Thursdays
Whether you're on campus or living and working in another country, show your pride
every Thursday by wearing your Spartan blue and gold.
Get Blue and Gold Gear
Welcoming Community
Admitted Spartan Day
Every spring, new Spartans have the opportunity to come to campus to learn about all
the wonderful resources that San Jose State has to offer, as well as how to complete
the required next steps to enroll at SJSU.
Weeks of Welcome
During the first weeks of the semester, SJSU welcomes back returning students and
supports new students in their transition to the university with Spartan spirit-filled
events.
Ask Me Tables
New to campus and need directions to class or just have a question? Come by the "Ask
Me" tables! Members of the SJSU staff, faculty and administration are available to
help you find your way around campus and answer any questions during the first few
days of the fall and spring semester.
Homecoming
From Fire on the Fountain, Campus MovieFest and the Spartan football, Homecoming is
a weeklong celebration for the entire campus community.
Celebrating Legacies
Legacy Month
The legacy of equity and social justice is a part of SJSU’s DNA. Every October, the
campus honors this legacy, which includes the human rights protest by alumni Tommie
Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympic Games.
Earth Day/Sustainability Week
Gaylord Nelson, '39 Political Science, founded Earth Day. Today, sustainability is
a core SJSU value.
Legacy of Poetry
Poets have found inspiration and community at San Jose State since Edwin Markham wrote
"The Man with the Hoe." SJSU celebrates this lyrical legacy every spring.
Photo: David Schmitz
Commencement
Commencement is an honored tradition at all universities. At SJSU's spring and fall
ceremonies, there's special element: the ceremonial mace. An ornamental staff or scepter,
the mace is carried by officials as part of formal parliamentary or academic ceremonies.
A gift from the Tower Foundation of SJSU, the university’s ceremonial mace was designed
and created this spring by Art and Art History Lecturer Yvonne Escalante, ’13 MFA
Spatial Arts. She found inspiration for the design in both SJSU history and the paths
students take to reach graduation.
Read the Story of the Mace
Campus Life
Campus Life on Facebook
Campus Life on X
Campus Life on LinkedIn
Campus Life on Instagram
Campus Life on YouTube
Contact Us
Phone: 408-924-5900
Email:
vp.studentaffairs@sjsu.edu
Visit Office
Clark Hall, Room 531
(Fifth Floor)
Mailing Address
Division of Student Affairs
San José State University
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0031
Skip to main content
Traditions
What Does it Mean to Be a Spartan?
For more than 160 years, shared qualities like creativity and adaptability have connected
generations of Spartans. Our traditions, both new and established, also connect our
dynamic community.
Show Your SJSU Pride
Spartan Pride Thursdays
Whether you're on campus or living and working in another country, show your pride
every Thursday by wearing your Spartan blue and gold.
Get Blue and Gold Gear
Welcoming Community
Admitted Spartan Day
Every spring, new Spartans have the opportunity to come to campus to learn about all
the wonderful resources that San Jose State has to offer, as well as how to complete
the required next steps to enroll at SJSU.
Weeks of Welcome
During the first weeks of the semester, SJSU welcomes back returning students and
supports new students in their transition to the university with Spartan spirit-filled
events.
Ask Me Tables
New to campus and need directions to class or just have a question? Come by the "Ask
Me" tables! Members of the SJSU staff, faculty and administration are available to
help you find your way around campus and answer any questions during the first few
days of the fall and spring semester.
Homecoming
From Fire on the Fountain, Campus MovieFest and the Spartan football, Homecoming is
a weeklong celebration for the entire campus community.
Celebrating Legacies
Legacy Month
The legacy of equity and social justice is a part of SJSU’s DNA. Every October, the
campus honors this legacy, which includes the human rights protest by alumni Tommie
Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympic Games.
Earth Day/Sustainability Week
Gaylord Nelson, '39 Political Science, founded Earth Day. Today, sustainability is
a core SJSU value.
Legacy of Poetry
Poets have found inspiration and community at San Jose State since Edwin Markham wrote
"The Man with the Hoe." SJSU celebrates this lyrical legacy every spring.
Photo: David Schmitz
Commencement
Commencement is an honored tradition at all universities. At SJSU's spring and fall
ceremonies, there's special element: the ceremonial mace. An ornamental staff or scepter,
the mace is carried by officials as part of formal parliamentary or academic ceremonies.
A gift from the Tower Foundation of SJSU, the university’s ceremonial mace was designed
and created this spring by Art and Art History Lecturer Yvonne Escalante, ’13 MFA
Spatial Arts. She found inspiration for the design in both SJSU history and the paths
students take to reach graduation.
Read the Story of the Mace
Campus Life
Campus Life on Facebook
Campus Life on X
Campus Life on LinkedIn
Campus Life on Instagram
Campus Life on YouTube
Contact Us
Phone: 408-924-5900
Email:
vp.studentaffairs@sjsu.edu
Visit Office
Clark Hall, Room 531
(Fifth Floor)
Mailing Address
Division of Student Affairs
San José State University
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0031