Senior Bench Activity Guidelines

The Senior Bench tradition is a cherished, student-governed rivalry between the Junior and Senior classes. Its legacy, steeped in creative competition, continues to foster campus unity, class identity, and light-hearted fun. These guidelines aim to uphold the spirit of the tradition while ensuring it aligns with Wheaton College’s Community Covenant and applicable laws.

Historical Origins

The exact origins of the Senior Bench remain a campus mystery. Some believe it was a gift from the Class of 1912, while others place its arrival in the late 1920s. It first appeared in a 1934 Tower yearbook photo, situated outside the west doors of Blanchard Hall. Over time, it came to symbolize senior status, giving rise to the tradition that only seniors may sit on the Bench.

Around 1947, a playful rivalry began when juniors started relocating the Bench during senior absences. In 1949, this rivalry intensified when the Class of ’50 withheld the Bench entirely, establishing the now long-standing tradition of interclass competition for its possession.

Purpose

The Senior Bench tradition offers an opportunity to celebrate Wheaton’s community through creative and strategic planning, camaraderie as well as mutual respect and fun that honors Christ.

Planning and Conduct Guidelines

Possession and Planning

1. The class currently possessing the Bench holds primary responsibility for planning related activity.

2. All activity must be intentionally planned to prioritize creativity, safety, and fun over risk or disruption.

3. The Bench’s location must remain within a five-mile radius of Blanchard Hall.

4. When hidden, at least 50% of the Bench must be visible to a person standing three feet away.

5. The class president of the possessing class must always be informed of the Bench’s exact location.

6. If the Senior class possesses the Bench at Commencement, it must be passed to the outgoing Sophomore class (rising Juniors) within five days of graduation.

Showings

1. A valid showing is defined as a successful viewing of the Bench by at least 50 members of the opposing class (normally verified via a randomly selected group of 200 students).

2. Each academic year must include a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of four (4) official showings.

Community Standards and Legal Compliance

Community Covenant Alignment