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- ’24 Senior Week: Bell Tower Climb
’24 Senior Week: Bell Tower Climb
Morehead-Patterson Bell TowerSouth Road - Chapel Hill
Events
35.9097561
-79.0474911
Tuesday, April 16 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower
No registration required. Just show up!
This is one iconic senior tradition you won’t want to miss. Carolina Alumni invites all seniors to climb the Bell Tower. Thanks to the generous support of more than 63,000 Carolina Alumni members, we are thrilled to extend this tradition to seniors during Senior Week.
We will allow climbing after 9 a.m. We will close the line at 4 p.m. All seniors in line by 4 p.m. will be allowed to climb. This is a first-come, first-served event. We ask all seniors spend no more than 10 minutes inside the Bell Tower in order to allow all a chance to participate. Lines will be in the quads outside the Bell Tower and will be uncovered. There are times during the day the wait may be as long as a few hours depending on interest. Please plan accordingly by bringing water and something to sit on (if desired). No large bags, food or drink are permitted inside the Bell Tower. We will provide an area to store these items upon entry. Access to the terrace is no longer permitted. The stairs inside the tower are spiral and wide enough for one person at a time. Participants will find this event similar to a lighthouse experience.
In adherence with a 2022 University policy to safeguard the Bell Tower’s structure, please do not sign any part of the structure. Those attempting to do so will be asked to leave; with repeated infractions, this event will be closed. Your cooperation in preserving this tradition ensures its legacy for future Tar Heels. Thank you for your support.
Senior T-shirts will also be for sale during this event.
The Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower is one of our favorite campus landmarks. Climbing the Bell Tower with Carolina Alumni adds 256 steps to your day (128 going up, 128 coming down). From ground to the fourth floor landing, you can say “I climbed the Bell Tower.” Check out facts about the Bell Tower.
Class of ’24 Senior Edition: Campus distribution starts at this event, Tuesday, April 16, during the Bell Tower Climb. Details.
View the full week of Senior Week events. And, later this month the class of ’24 Last Lecture is coming and will be open for all to attend. No registration needed; just show up! We’re excited to hear words of wisdom as our class departs. Date, time and location coming soon.
How is this event funded? Thanks to dues paid by more than 63,000 Carolina Alumni members, we are able to open the doors to the Bell Tower so seniors may make the climb during Senior Week. Senior events such as the Bell Tower Climb are not paid for with University funds — that is no student fees, tuition or state appropriations — but are funded 100 percent by Carolina Alumni member dues.
When will a decision about the rain date be made? If the event needs to be rescheduled due to weather, the senior class marshals and Carolina Alumni staff will decide 24 hours in advance of the Bell Tower Climb. Check your email and social media for updates.
When does the climb end? The line for the climb will close at 4 p.m. Those in line will be permitted to climb the Bell Tower until 6 p.m. At 6 p.m. those still in line will not be permitted to enter the Bell Tower.
