5 Secrets Worth Knowing About Clemson University

By Ryan Durden on November 7, 2012

Every college prides itself on having a variety of traditions and secrets which new students learn over time. Clemson students should all be aware of the tunnels, secret book, and rollercoaster road shortly after arriving on campus, but those things are common knowledge and present little practical value. I would like to share with you, at great personal expense, some of the most useful and fun information that remains largely unknown to the student population.

  1. The Unhymnal – Originally written in the 1960s by members of the Clemson University Tiger Band, the Unhymnal is a collection of bawdy historical accounts and parodies of opponents’ fight songs and Alma Maters.  While it was originally passed down amongst the officers in the marching band, it is now on display in the Strom Thurmond Institute. While most of the material in the Unhymnal is unfit for public performance, the creativity and humor of our Clemson ancestors is worth admiring.
  2. Trespassing – I cannot publicly condone trespassing on university property, as charges will almost certainly be filed against you if you’re caught. However, there are some places on campus that should be experienced “with a university-approved tour guide”before graduating, including Death Valley, McAdams, and the Monsoon Room. These places are fairly simple to access, have something unique about them, and most importantly, have a variety of escape routes.

    Bonus Secret: Music 325 is the class where people play the carillon bells.

  3. Textbook Borrowing – Learning this my senior year of college was more annoying than helpful, but I’m hoping this knowledge will benefit some younger students. Many of the textbooks you need for class are available to borrow from the school library free of charge. This is not well advertised, and you will need to ask a library for help, but the process is simpler, cheaper, and easier than buying or renting textbooks.
  4. Geology Lounge – Geology majors have a private lounge on the 4th floor of Brackett Hall with a password-protected door. The lounge is relatively small, but has plenty of couches and chairs, a refrigerator, and other basic amenities. This peaceful oasis within a crowded desert can only be accessed with the proper numerical code. I’m not saying I know what it is, but if I did, why would I tell you? I would never make a “joke” of the Geology Department.
  5. Gameday Parking –Unless you’re fortunate enough to live within walking-distance, entering and leaving campus on Gameday is a nightmare.  Out of the kindness of my heart, I present to you the solution to that predicament: Park in the shopping center where Monterrey’s is located. The walk is about a mile to the stadium, there is no charge or risk of towing, and most importantly, there is no traffic delay when leaving after the game. Even if traffic is causing delays elsewhere, Monterrey’s has margaritas and football so you can pass the time. Don’t say I never gave you anything.

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