The current sophomore class took part in the frisbee toss on the Bald Spot on Friday, September 17, roughly a year after they would have participated in the toss had COVID-19 restrictions not prevented this beloved tradition.

The frisbee toss is such an iconic Carleton tradition that its reputation precedes it. The toss is both an opportunity for freshmen to meet one another during New Student Week (NSW), and a nod to Carleton’s historical and current success in Ultimate Frisbee (the men’s team is ranked 10th in the country for Division I Ultimate). Participating students each receive a frisbee on which they write their name and contact information. They then form an enormous circle in the middle of the Bald Spot and simultaneously toss their frisbees into the circle before scrambling to pick up a new disk. Students are then responsible for returning their new frisbee to its owner, thus making a new connection. 

The sophomore event, sponsored by the Dean of Students Office and the Student Activities Office, also featured live music from Minneapolis-based artist iLLism, pizza and a double movie feature of “Legally Blonde” and “A Quiet Place II.” The event was “a success” according to Associate Director of Student Activities Miiko Taylor, with a few hundred students attending.

Traveling student- athletes and other students who were unable to attend had a frisbee tossed for them, according to says Dean Carolyn Livingston. 

“Even though we’ve been here for a year, it was a really great opportunity for us to meet new people,”  said Aryan Arora ’24. “It meant a lot that the administration is still working to give us an authentic Carleton experience.”

There are ongoing discussions to plan a NOlympics, another NSW staple  of New Student Week, for the sophomore class. The NOlympics are a series of non-traditional games (typically played between dorm floors) designed to strengthen Carls’ connection to their class community.

“There is always a desire to make sure that students feel connected to the Carleton community,” Alessa Strelecki, Assistant Director of Student Activities, said. “Last year the Student Activities Office launched the First Year Success Series . . . . We will continue to brainstorm how we can provide experiences that connect students with campus.” She added that SAO encourages any students to bring their ideas and suggestions to SAO or CSA.