Page 12 - University of Texas at El Paso Miner Guide 2022-2023
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                WILD WEST
A horse stable was located on the grounds of what is now Memorial Gym. Rodeos were held with students, faculty members, and staff members competing against each other.
FIRE IN THE HOLE
Explosions were a common occurrence at UTEP through the 1960’s. Mining professor John W. “Cap” Kidd frequently demonstrated the fine art of TNT and could often be heard yelling “DYNAMITE! FIRE IN THE HOLE!”
BOWLING & BARBERS
The Union Building West once had a bowling alley in the basement and a barbershop with a full-time barber on the main floor.
SWIMMING HOLE
The Undergraduate Learning Center is located on land that used to be the site of the University swimming pool.
GHOSTS
Several campus buildings are the home of spirited students -- or is that student spirits? The dearly departed students are said to haunt Cotton Memorial, Seamon Hall, and Old Main.
CARDIAC HILL
Once you’ve climbed over this hill, you will have no problem understanding how it got its name. Car- diac Hill begins at the base of the Education Build- ing and connects the main campus with Memorial Gym and Kidd Field.
BEANIES
New students were once required to wear fresh- man beanies during their first semester of study.
SIGMA GAMMA EPSILON - ΣΓΕ
Etched in rocks across campus are these Greek let- ters. The National Earth Sciences Honorary Society used to require new members to chisel letters into campus rocks without getting caught by authorities.
The outcrop around the Liberal Arts Building is a great place to look for this unique tradition.
STREAKER SPIRIT
The 1960’s at UTEP were a hotbed for political expression and little to no inhibition. On several occasions, naked students were seen streak- ing down University Avenue and during football games.
SADIE HAWKINS
The Sadie Hawkins Dance was once a highlight of the school year. Female students would dress up in their finest male attire and chase their “beloveds” around campus. If the boy was caught by a girl, he had to escort the girl to the dance.
UTEP TRADITIONS
GATOR CAMP
Gator Camp is an annual overnight new student experience that commemorates a 1950’s
prank turned UTEP tradition. Students “bor- rowed” a live alligator from San Jacinto Plaza in Downtown El Paso and placed it in the office
of a faculty member. On another occasion, an alligator was found at the bottom of the campus swimming pool.
MINERPALOOZA
What began as the alumni picnic on the lawn has now become Minerpalooza, the official back-to-school party for students, faculty, and staff. Join us this year on September 2, 2022 for Minerpalooza!
THE OFFICIAL UTEP RING
The Senior Ring was unveiled December 2, 2003, and features symbols unique to the University: Bhutanese architecture, the “M” on the Mountain and Paydirt Pete. Eligible students and alumni can order their rings at the beginning of each se- mester and will receive them at the Official Ring Ceremony during commencement week festivi- ties. Proceeds from the ring sales also benefit the
MINER GUIDE 2022 - 2023 •
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO


































































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