When it's OK to paint on UConn property: the return of The Rock

UConn student Alex Lavalleye thinks The Rock is "pretty cool." Photo by Brenda Sullivan.

The University of Connecticut will officially welcome the return of The Rock - which has been a "billboard" for student groups for more than 40 years - at a ceremony on Oct. 24.

A jagged, triangular shaped rock has been given a place of prominence on the University of Connecticut campus. Erected between the North Campus parking garage and the Alumni Center, the appearance of this unusual "billboard" changes periodically as one group or another (often a fraternity or sorority) paints over the words, symbols and messages of the previous "artist."

This is not necessarily a hostile act - it's more part of the tradition dating to the 1940s associated with what's known as The Rock. It's estimated that over the last 40 years, about 1,200 layers of paint were applied to its nooks and crannies.

The Rock - which is actually a piece of the original painted rock that was located on North Eagleville Road - disappeared from campus on North Hillside Drive for a few years during the disruption of UConn 2000 construction projects

It was removed from storage earlier this month, in honor of Homecoming Week, and set on a foundation at the corner of North Hillside Road and Alumni Drive.

Since then, it has also been given its own Facebook Page and a "Rock Watcher" blog, and it will be officially welcomed back to student life at “The Rock” Ceremony at 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24.

Photos of The Rock's changing face over the years also are posted at this link.

The Rock apparently is largely ignored by people walking by it, hurrying off to class or to to pick up their car at the garage, but it has found a place in the hearts of some fraternities and sororities, such as Alex Lavalleye, a student from Potomac, Maryland and a member of the Alpha Phi sorority. "I like it. I think it's pretty cool," she said, as she passed The Rock on her way back to her residence hall.

In 2002, official guidelines were adopted for painting The Rock.

For example, in order to stem any altercations that might occur between groups wishing to add their message, these rules of "Rock Painting Etiquette" were set forth:

• The entire rock must be painted and "tagging letters, names, or symbols over other groups’ paintings is not appropriate."
• You may not bother other groups who got there before you did. "People have the right to paint rocks without being harassed or demeaned."
• No hogging The Rock. "Once painted and dry, it will be recognized that other groups may paint over the work and guarding the rock is inappropriate."
• Don't drink and paint. "All rock painting will be done sober. No drinking is permitted while painting rocks."
• Be polite "Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated at the rock sites. This includes loud music."
• Keep it fun. "Groups will not use rock painting as a means for earning respect from members of their organization. Painting the rocks should be a fun, voluntary activity."

Reference is made to "the rock sites" because there is another "sanctioned" rock-for-painting on campus that Mansfield residents have become accustomed to seeing in their daily commute, on South Eagleville Road/Route 275 across from the Mansfield Apartments.

And apparently there are two others: the Towers Rocks, at bottom of the walkway to the Towers residence halls behind St .Thomas Aquinas Church, and the Buckley/Shippee Rock on the south side of the road leading to the Buckley/Shippee parking lot.

Posted Oct. 12, 2008

The Rock has a 40-plus-year tradition of serving as a "billboard" for student organizations. Photo by Brenda Sullivan.

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