While a lot of people think the women’s dorms are uninteresting, they have their share of excitement and traditions. There’s a special bond that comes with living in the dorms.

These traditions include candle lightings, dorm prayer, socials, getting Q’d and white glove clean checks.

The candle lighting ceremony is held for girls upon becoming engaged. It allows them to become closer to one another and at the ceremony they feel supportive of one another, said Nichole Stout, a junior from Hurricane, Idaho. At the ceremony, the lights are turned off and a candle is lit. The girls sit in a circle and the ring is tied to the illuminated candle and passed around. The second time the candle is passed around the circle, the girl tells the story of how her and her fiancé met, said Leena Andrus, a sophomore and a RA from Lava Springs, ID.

Dorm Prayer is held every Sunday night at 9:00. Dorm prayer is a chance for the girls to feel the Spirit in a mini -devotional setting. There is usually a spiritual message and scripture. The girls then kneel in a circle and pray together.

At the beginning of each semester, there is usually an opening social where the girls get to know one another by playing different games. Also, holiday socials are sometimes held, like on Halloween where the girls show off their costumes.

Getting Q’d is another dorm tradition.

The dorms strrictly enforce the rule that men need to be out of the courtyard at 11 p.m. If men in the dorm fail to leave the courtyard by this time, an RA will put a big black Q in the window.

This Q indicates that boys are not allowed over for a week. Also, failing to turn on the two big lights and opening the blinds will also get the black Q.

“At first, I thought it was pretty ridiculous, but then I found it was easier to just follow the rules,” said Jessica Reyes, a freshman from Winston-Salem, N.C.

White glove cleaning begins at the end of each semester. The apartment must be spotless for the next residents.

Most girls begin cleaning late Friday night for white glove check at Saturday. Music blaring and girls dancing with mops is a sight to behold at this time.

White glove is also required in all approved single housing. It has to be done before students can get their deposits back. If students fail white glove, the deposit is used to pay for clean up of the mess.

“White Glove cleans are difficult, but it teaches you and helps you practice essential skills for the future,” said Colleen Coleman a freshman from Peyton, Colo.

Dorm traditions allow girls to get know one another better and enhance their experience while living dorms.