The Memorial Student Center: Keeping Traditions Alive
Editor’s note: These articles, written by Justin Mathers and Drew Chambers, respectively, originally appeared in and are reprinted with permission from The Battalion, Texas A&M’s student newspaper.
Keeping Off The Grass
When the Memorial Student Center reopens April 21, the building and its traditions will be uncharted territory for many Aggies. Those students will quickly become acquainted with a loud and important command: “Get off the grass!”
The grass that surrounds the MSC is considered one of its most important legacies. It is a living memorial dedicated to all Aggies, past or future, who have given or will give their lives in wartime. In order to respect the 955 Aggie soldiers killed in the line of duty, Texas A&M tradition prohibits all Aggies from stepping on the grass that surrounds the building.
Following the closing of the MSC, a three-by-five foot section of the memorial grass was removed from the northeast corner of the lawn and transferred to the Bonfire Memorial where it will remain a symbolic reminder to students that the old grass will always be a part of Texas A&M University.
With the reopening just around the corner, students who only had a short-lived experience with the building are both looking forward and looking back. Brian McDonald, senior history major and Residence Hall Association president, fondly remembers his short time with the memorial grass.
“Although the MSC has been closed for much of my A&M career and the grass gone, I still remember that special turf,” McDonald said. “I remember the loud shouts of ‘Get off the grass!’ anytime anyone thought it was a good idea to venture off of the paved path. And I distinctly remember being deathly afraid to step on any grass anywhere my freshman year, fearing that I might get yelled at.”
The grass will again become off-limits with the reopening, and a formal ceremony to officially memorialize the grass is tentatively set to take place in the days following . The old grass, however, which was St. Augustine, will now be replaced with a different type known as Zoysia grass.
Luke Altendorf, MSC complex director, explained the significance of the ceremony and change of grass.
“When the ceremony takes place, what we’re intending to say is that the grass is back and once again is sacred ground,” Altendorf said. “And as for the grass change, we decided to switch to this type because it’s far more environmentally friendly and takes up much less water.”
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Removing Hats
Across the country, citizens remove their hats for the national anthem, during prayers and for other special events. When entering the Memorial Student Center on April 21, students and visitors will have one more reason to “uncover” with the renewal of an old tradition.
Students began removing their hats when going inside the MSC as a sign of respect as early as the building’s opening in 1951, but it was only an unofficial tradition for several years.
In her book, “Building Leaders, Living Traditions,” Amy Bacon, Class of 1991 and vice president of development for the MSC, said visitors to campus were informed of the practice once it became an official tradition.
“An additional way to honor [Aggies who died in war] officially originated in 1953 with the adoption of the hats-off policy,” Bacon said. “Although many members of the student body instinctively removed their hats as they entered the MSC, visitors and guests did not always do so.”
In November 1953, the MSC Council made it a policy for men to remove their hats while inside the building. Organizations helped spread the word by passing out pamphlets.
Traditions may not be convenient, but there are reasons behind them. Former student Dimitri Caver, Class of 1990, said observing this tradition is an important sign of respect.
“It was burdensome sometimes, but I didn’t mind removing my hat,” Caver said. “I just remembered that it was a small token of honor and respect. I appreciated the ‘Memorial’ in MSC.”
Current students may have to learn — or relearn — MSC traditions after three years of construction, and it may take time to grow accustomed to traditions such as hats-off. Stefani Freemyer, freshman interdisciplinary studies major, said Aggies live for tradition and will gladly accept this one, as well.
“I love how the traditions unify the students,” Freemyer said. “I think it will take some time for students to relearn the traditions of the MSC. However, I know everyone will be dedicated to doing so. There won’t be any trouble merging in the hats-off tradition — we’re Aggies; we live for tradition.”
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“Traditions” at this university are ridiculous.
I think most traditions at this school, such as ring dunk and most anything revolving around football and other sports, are downright silly and exist mostly to make money off of the students (seriously, how many other schools charge students $350 for a football only Sports Pass?!). However, memorial traditions such as Silver Taps (which goes vastly unnoticed by far too many “red ass” Aggies who only adhere to tradition when fun or convenient), Muster, and the little traditions surrounding the MSC are the ones here that truly matter.
Matt,
Agreed, for the most part.
However, a football only SportsPass is only $200, not $350. The most expensive option, All Sports with Football, is $325. Which is pretty fair.
https://sports-admin.tamu.edu/mysportspass/docs/brochure11.pdf
Actually Simon, the football only sports pass is $200. I also think that saying that the traditions are there to make money is a bit ridiculous. I would be willing to say that a majority of traditions do not cost any money to participate.
I have to find it quite funny about how you scoff at the tradition for MSC. It seems you have no respect for the past generations that have gone before you. The grass is a memorial and taking off your hat isn’t that hard. It is showing respect to the meaning behind the building. Plus, it is something of a courtesy that you are supposed to take it off when going into a building, but that is dying out with our generations.
Actually, the traditions do not cost students anything more to participate in at Texas A&M. Unless you count paying for your ring and paying to attend sporting events, which the last time I checked is the norm at any university in this great nation of our’s. The MSC traditions may seem “silly” to someone who has never paid attention to the history of the school, but with the strong military background these traditions are a sign of respect to those Aggies who have served for our country.
Ring dunk is a stupid “tradition.” And in my opinion not even a real tradition. A tradition should promote people being irresponsible, getting drunk, and puking all over themselves. Most everything else is good, especially the way we honor Aggies of the past.
Simon,
If you believe the traditions at our school are “ridiculous” I suggest A: if your a student, leave. B: if your not then why don’t you read up on our beloved “traditions” that so many Aggies, future Aggies and many others around the world appreciate and understamd everything they stand for. Yes some are just for fun, but some are to honor former students and those who have served our great country and made the ultimate sacrifice. And that should be respected.
All schools have their own traditions whether they be for fun or to honor something. I believe everyone should recognize this and honor each schools traditions respectfully. Yes some of its just fun and games and rivalries, but who cares, life’s to short enjoy it!
As a member of the Corps and Class of 2000, I can tell you that neither of the traditions listed in this article are trivial or ‘stupid’. Both were put in place by patriotic and reverent veterans returning from war. For those who have come since the loss of Bonfire, and now the absence of the MSC, beware of the ground you tread and inform yourself before opening your mouth about the traditions of ol’ army.
For Simon “Highway 6 runs both ways!”