Crowd of fans at a NCAA women's basketball championship. Some have banners that say "Go Jumbos", others have large cutout faces of the player's faces.

The Rules

  1. The contest is open to all members of the Tufts University community except for those members involved in the selection advisory committee.
  2. Prizes will be awarded for the winning entries as follows:
    1. Best new original spirit song - $1,000; and
    2. Best update of existing Tufts spirit song with new words - $500.
  3. Multiple entries and group entries are acceptable.
  4. The deadline for entries is March 31st at 11:59 p.m. EST. No entries submitted after the deadline will be accepted or considered.
  5. All entries must be submitted through the competition web form with all required materials accompanying the submission. (Incomplete submissions will not be eligible).
    Submit a new spirit song
  6. Songs should not contain profanity and should reflect Tufts in the 21st century and the diverse participation in campus sports and activities.
  7. Except as otherwise set forth below, submissions should be the original works of the persons submitting the entries.
  8. New Original Spirit Song:
    1. Must be at least 2 stanzas long with a chorus.
    2. Must contain original lyrics and original music. Note: There can be some overlap of existing lyrics.
    3. Entries must contain: written lyrics; written music (this does not need to be professionally written); and an audio recording of the song being performed.
  9. Update Existing Spirit Song:
    1. Must utilize the melody of one of ten Tufts spirit songs.
      Listen to the current Tufts spirit song melodies
    2. Songs include:
      1. Tuftonia's Day (1912)
      2. Te Salutamas Class Song of 1935
      3. The Jumbo Victory March (1941)
      4. Tufts Today, Tufts for Aye (1915)
      5. Dear Alma Mater (1898)
      6. T-U-F-T-S (1990)
      7. Praises, Alma Mater (1920)
      8. Spell It Out for Tufts (1920)
      9. Tufts Victory Song (1909)
      10. Brown and Blue (1888)
    3. Must contain substantially new and original lyrics (some reuse is okay).
    4. Entries must contain: written lyrics; identification of the song being updated; and an audio recording of the song being performed.
  10. Winners will be notified by the judges and will be publicly announced at the Tuftonia’s Day Celebration on Friday, April 27th, 2018.
  11. The winner of the contest must agree to assign to Tufts University the rights to the words and music (if applicable) for use as the organization sees fit.
  12. If no qualifying entries are received in a category, that prize will not be awarded.

Judges and Judging Process

The judging committee will evaluate all submissions and select winners based on the rules and guidelines laid out for the competition. The committee of judges will include members of the Traditions committee and the Alumni Association, and representatives from the Tufts student body, the Tufts music department, and student and alumni affiliated offices.

The Terms

You agree that you have followed the rules above and that, other than the lyrics and the songs from the existing Tufts spirit songs, your submissions are your original works. You agree that, by entering the contest, you irrevocably assign and transfer to Tufts University all right, title, and interest in the lyrics and music (if submitted) in the song you are submitting for the contest including, without limitation, all copyright, and you agree to execute any additional documents the Tufts University Alumni Association or Tufts University may deem necessary to evidence or effectuate such agreement. The Tufts University’s rights with respect to entry include, but are not limited to: (a) the exclusive right to use, publish, display, record, reproduce and license/sublicense the song and lyrics submitted  for any lawful purpose; (b) the exclusive right to alter, revise or change the entry in any way; (c) the exclusive right to secure copyright registrations and other rights in the entry anywhere throughout the world; (d) the exclusive right to license, exploit, assign, or otherwise dispose of the entry or any said rights included therein for any purpose which Tufts University may see fit; and e) any and all subsidiary rights in the entry.

Questions?

Please reach out to TuftsNewSpiritSongs@gmail.com with any additional questions regarding the competition.