The Rock in Northwestern University

The Rock, originally a fountain donated by the Class of 1902, is a landmark in Northwestern University that is open for students, since the 1940s, to paint on with absolutely NO RESTRICTIONS. Previously, students have painted social concerns, religious beliefs and even silly jokes as a part of the tradition.

Located between Harris Hall and University Hall, The Rock is listed as the "weirdest" tradition of the University by OneClass. It started as a prank to vandalize Northwestern property but later on this concept of "vandalism" became a tradition, encouraged by the faculty. Believe it or not, almost every night, there are paintings ranging from advertisements for a company to political concerns which help uplift the community. 

If you want to watch who is "vandalizing" The Rock, you can do so at a live video on Youtube (broadcasted 24/7). 

Reprinted from http://apps.northbynorthwestern.com/rock/# : 

Students slathered the Rock with its first coat of paint back in the 1950s. Since then, painting the Rock with slogans, announcements and events has been one of Northwestern’s most well-known traditions. It was gifted to the University in 1902 and used as a drinking fountain until its pipes froze in the 1930s. According to a Daily Northwestern article from 1989, school officials moved the Rock from its original home, cracking it halfway up the bottom in the process.