Classroom Publication

Issue date: 5/3/06 Section: Fountain Day

Media Credit: Erica Boms The UAlbany fountain after celebrations settled down in 2006.

Media Credit: Erica Boms The fountain stayed on after the rain stopped the the students went home to dry.

Fountain Day has become one of the most celebrated and well known events at the University at Albany. For decades, UAlbany students have come together to celebrate the beginning of spring and the unity of the UAlbany community.

"Fountain Day is a SUNY Albany holiday that everyone looks forward to and it is always a great time," said Andrew Gallup, a junior at SUNY Albany.

May 5th, 1978 launched the first celebration of Fountain Day. It was called "May Fest", and introduced the beginning of spring by turning on UAlbany's fountains, according to the Chronological History of Albany, located on the UAlbany website.

The following year, it was renamed the "Human Awareness Program". This time, instead of simply introducing the beginning of spring, the celebration was developed further to promote communication among students, faculty, and administration. The main goal of the celebration was to break down the barriers that separated the UAlbany community, and recreate the University as a whole. The "Human Awareness Program" was formed to increase formal and informal interaction between all parts of the school.

Fred Brewington '79 and Peter Galasso '78 are credited for the idea of the "Human Awareness Program" and the celebration of turning on UAlbany's fountains. Originally, it was referred to as "Human Awareness Program Podium Beer Blast Friday".
As years followed, the fountain became a positive symbol for SUNY Albany. It symbolizes and promotes the unity of the UAlbany community. This being so, the name "Fountain Day" was originated.

"Fountain Day in the '80's marked the end of student hibernation from the long, cold Albany winter," explained Heather Shindler, a UAlbany Alumni from the class of '89. "The fountain area would be covered with beach towels and students would be sunbathing, playing Frisbee, enjoying a cocktail (or two) and no one attend any classes for the day. Fountain Day marked the beginning of the end of the year. I'm glad to hear it's still a memorable tradition at SUNY Albany."

Up until Fountain Day 2004, the celebration traditionally took place during the school week; suspending classes for both students and faulty, and allowing all UAlbany community members to engage and enjoy the ever popular UAlbany tradition. However, according to NewsChannel9.com, after the immense negative media attention of alcohol abuse and numerous injuries due to overcrowding, UAlbany was forced to move their tradition of 26 years, to the weekend.

Along with this, only UAlbany students were allowed to attend, and security became increased. But despite the recent changes, UAlbany students and faulty still make their way out each year to celebrate this ever popular tradition.

"Fountain day is one of the unique events that seperates UAlbany from every other college out there. Its an event that you want to tell everyone about, whether it be your friends, parents, or you children 10 years from now," states Dewey Deslile, a junior at UAlbany.

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