We just want hoodies
Every spring, the university hosts Blue Devil Days — a program for accepted students to tour campus and for parents to say goodbye to their disposable incomes one last time. Though the program shut down during the pandemic, it has re-emerged with newfound vigor. Since the renewal of the two- to three-day program, our campus bustles with bright-eyed prospective first-years for weeks at a time in April and May. The most distinctive flavor of the events — aside from the notorious Chapel selfies — is a sea of t-shirts marked “Duke University - Class of 202X.” To some, this shirt is another layer on top of dozens of university branded sweatshirts, sweatpants, and sweaters. For others like me, this was the first piece of university merchandise we got. But for all, this little shirt is a symbol — one of acceptance, spirit and a lifetime of school loyalty. While the class shirt remains one of my favorites, it is one of dozens of university branded merchandise across campus, if not hundreds. And frankly, the class shirt is the only one many students can afford.