Academic Support and Advising

Getting to Know Bear Country

History, Traditions, and Spirit

UNC has a proud heritage as a teacher’s college. We were founded on 1 April 1889 when Governor Cooper signed the law creating the State Normal School of Colorado. As our academic programs expanded, and our reputation as a center of excellence spread, we came to be known as the “Columbia of the West.” In recognition of our expertise in teaching and learning, the General Assembly passed legislation that changed our title to Colorado State Teachers College in 1911. Later, as our degree offerings expanded and our prestige increased, we became Colorado State College of Education (1935) and Colorado State College (1957). In 1970, we made one last change to the University of Northern Colorado, signifying our maturity as an institution and our responsibility to continue our leadership and innovation in education.

Alma Mater

Ah! Well I Remember, Friends of “Purple and Gold.”
Friends met in September, Pledging their Faith to hold.
Gone, Friends of September, Gone dear friends of old.
Time never shall sever, Friends of “Purple and Gold.”
Time never shall sever, Friends of “Purple and Gold.”
-J. De Forest Cline


Blue & Gold

Our colors are navy blue and gold. All Bears wear these colors with pride, for they represent the University and the nearly 100,000-strong alumni.

Bru-Inn

The Bru-Inn was the center of campus life before the construction of the University Center. The Bru-Inn was the café in the Student Union, now called Gray Hall, and was named after Totem Teddy and our mascot, the Bear.


Bust of President Ross

Legend says that students who rub the head of the bust of President Ross in the Ross Hall walkway will find “good fortune when sitting their exams.” Basically, rub his head for good luck.


Charter Day

Every year, 1 May is celebrated as “Charter Day,” in honor of our transformation from a college to a university.


"Colorado Locomotive"

N-O-R-T-H-E-R-N (slow)
C-O-L-O-R-A-D-O (slow)
N-O-R-T-H-E-R-N (faster)
C-O-L-O-R-A-D-O (faster)
N-O-R-T-H-E-R-N (faster still)
C-O-L-O-R-A-D-O (faster still)
Northern Colorado!

Cornerstone

13 June 1890 signaled the beginning of the physical existence of UNC in the form of the dedication of the Cornerstone of Cranford Hall, currently located west of Carter Hall. It is tradition to kiss one’s sweetheart in front of the Cornerstone at the stroke of midnight. If one does so, both are assured of finding true love (although not necessarily with one another!).


Cranford / Old Main

Cranford Hall was our first building, built in 1890. Later known as Old Main, Cranford served as the only building on campus for several years, and housed administration, classrooms, and the library. Upon their deaths in office, Presidents Snyder and Crabbe were both honored with memorial services in Cranford! Unfortunately, time and a fire took their toll on the building. In 1972 Cranford was demolished for safety reasons, but the Cornerstone remains as a testament to the importance of Cranford to UNC history.


UNC Fight Song

On down the field we go to victory,
The colors navy blue and gold,
And to our fighting team,
We hold our spirit high,
The Mighty Bears are we – Go Bears!
Fight, fight to win each battle fairly,
The only way we e’er shall be,
We shout out the name to bring the fame and glory
To old UNC!
U-N-C Bears!

The Greens

At UNC, we do not have quads; we have “Greens.” In particular, we refer to three areas on campus as “Greens.” The Turner Green is located between Turner and Lawrenson Halls on West Campus, a favorite spot for flag-football and eating lunch. The Snyder Green is just west of Snyder Hall among the Central Coalition Residence Halls on Central Campus, an oft-used area for Frisbee and sun-tanning. The Gunter Green is immediately south of Gunter Hall on Central Campus, and provides the community with a large area for playing with pets, ice-blocking in the summer and sledding in the winter.

Gunter Hall Bells

The Bells of Gunter sound every 15 minutes and are loud enough that all of campus can hear them, even those on West Campus. The Bells play the Westminster Quarters, one of the most famous clock chimes in the world.

Gunter Hall Center Court

This basketball court is original to the building and was preserved when Gunter was renovated in 1996. Students hoping to be accepted into the Nursing program and those who have been accepted into it already walk counter-clockwise around the court. This is done in the hopes that they will be accepted into the program, and once accepted, will rise to the top of their class.

Hanging of the Colors

This tradition was started in 2007 as a way to better promote Homecoming Week. Students hung blue and gold ribbons on approximately 900 trees across campus, heralding the arrival of alumni, family and “friends of purple and gold.”

“Hey, Hey You!”

Hey, Hey You! You know what to do!
You gotta roll with the Gold and boogie with the Blue;
Hey, Hey You! You know what to do!
You gotta roll with the Gold and boogie with the Blue.
U-N-C Bears!

Horace Mann Gate

The Horace Mann Gate was a gift of the Class of 1910, and is named for the founder of public education in Massachusetts, Horace Mann. The Gate faces the former location of Cranford Hall and is adjacent to 10th Ave. Inscribed on the gate is the quotation, “Rowing, Not Drifting,” reflecting our historic commitment to advance humanity through education.

Homecoming

Homecoming celebrations began in November 1923 with a bonfire, a snake dance (lighting torches and marching past the president’s home), a pep rally, and the beginning of the annual football game. Currently, Homecoming celebrations last for a week, and include all of the original events and more!

Honor Code

More than just a collection of words, our Honor Code holds the University community to a higher standard of conduct and guides our actions everyday. Here is the text in full:

All members of the University of Northern Colorado community are entrusted with the responsibility to uphold and promote five fundamental values: Honesty, Trust, Respect, Fairness, and Responsibility. These core elements foster an atmosphere, inside and outside of the classroom, which serves as a foundation and guides the UNC community’s academic, professional, and personal growth. Endorsement of these core elements by students, faculty, staff, administration, and trustees strengthens the integrity and value of our academic climate.

Mascot

We have had two mascots over the course of our history. Originally, we were the Teachers, corresponding with our status as the teacher’s college of Colorado. In 1925, in recognition of the importance of Totem Teddy to school unity and spirit, we officially became the Bears.

“Normal”

Because we were founded as the State Normal School, UNC has a tradition of being “Normal.” Many articles of clothing bear the phrase “I Love Being Normal” in reference to our history. The use of the word “normal” in our title comes from the Latin word norma, meaning standard.

Northern Vision

Northern Vision is the bronze sculpture of the Bear that sits at the top of the Hill, facing the University Center. While his name is Northern Vision, he faces southeast toward the UC because the UC is the center of student life.

“Tell ‘Em Where We’re From”

[Yell Leader]:
Tell ‘em where we’re from, y’all,
Tell ‘em where we’re from

[Group]: Say what!?!

[Yell Leader]:
Tell ‘em where we’re from, y’all,
Tell ‘em where we’re from

[All]
We’re from the U-ni-ver-sity of Northern Colorado [drawn out]
U-N-C Bears!

Totem Teddy

Totem Teddy is the name of the totem pole that guarded campus from 1914 until 2003. He was a gift to UNC from the Commissioner of Education in Alaska, Andrew Thompson. Totem Teddy inspired the administration to change our mascot from the Teachers to the Bears. He was an integral part of campus life and identity, and is greatly missed. In 2003, he was repatriated to the Tlingit people of Angoon, Alaska under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990. Currently, a group of student leaders are working to “Bring Back the Spirit” with a campaign to raise money for a replica totem to be carved.

Union Colony

Founded in March 1870, the Union Colony was the predecessor to the present city of Greeley. The Union Colony was founded by Nathan Meeker as a temperance colony, and desired to be of “high moral standards.” In 1974, James Michener wrote the novel Centennial about northeast Colorado, with many details based on the Union Colony and Greeley.

Welcome Week

Every year, UNC opens its doors to the community and new students, faculty and staff with Welcome Week. A solid week of events pack the Welcome Week schedule, including “Movie on the Hill,” Campus-Wide BBQ, comedians, Fall Bazaar, Cultural Center open houses, and Bingo. In addition, representatives from Greek Life and Residence Life are in attendance.