The Rock
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
[ðə ɹɔk]
[thuh rawk]
Description
Refers to the quartzite boulder located between University Hall and Harris Hall. Since the 1950s,[1] students at Northwestern have been using it as a canvas to advertise performances/shows/events/groups, express political opinions, write proposals or jokes, or send messages to their friends/homeland etc.[2]
History
The Rock was originally a gift from Northwestern’s Weinberg Class of 1902. It was transplanted from Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin and had initially been installed as a water fountain until the pipes froze in the 1930s[4]. The Rock was first painted in 1938, when an unknown person covered it in a layer of red paint to commemorate the University of Minnesota’s victory over Northwestern at a football game. During the 1940s, 1950s, and early 1960s, most instances of painting the rock were regarded as vandalism. However, during the Vietnam War, students began to use The Rock as a place to voice political opinions. Since then, the Rock has become an icon of student activism. Nearby trees and benches began to be painted in addition to the Rock itself. In 1989, The Rock was moved about 30 feet east in order to accommodate new landscaping. Because the base of The Rock was firmly attached to the ground, it had to be broken into pieces and mortared back together. A small chunk of The Rock was added to Northwestern’s historical archives.[5] In 2009, a group of independent study students calling themselves “The Rock Excavation Organization” used hammers and chisels to peel hundreds of layers of paint off of The Rock. A small chunk of the paint was also added to the University Archives. [2] [6]
Tradition
Painting The Rock has become a Northwestern tradition over time. There is an unwritten rule that in order to do so, student(s) must guard The Rock for 24 hours prior to writing their message (usually by camping next to it).
Usage
This word is used by Northwestern students, faculty, staff and alumni. Perhaps also Evanston residents or visitors to the Northwestern Campus.
Example Sentences
- There is a bun sale happening at The Rock!
- Looks like someone's guarding The Rock--there's a tent there.
Why It's Wild
The Rock was a gift to future Northwestern students by Northwestern's WCAS Class of 1902. It is located in the South campus of Northwestern University and serves a place for NU students to express themselves/deliver messages.
Related Terms
References
- ↑ “The Rock.” North by Northwestern.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 “The Rock (Northwestern University).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Aug. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rock_(Northwestern_University).
- ↑ “STUDENT AFFAIRS.” Northwestern Is Steeped in Traditions That Make It Home to Our Students: Student Affairs - Northwestern University.
- ↑ “History of the Rock".
- ↑ "The Rock Records and Artifacts." Northwestern Archival and Manuscript Collections.
- ↑ "The Rock with A Peel." Northwestern Magazine.
