Case Western Reserve University

About Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University (also known as Case Western Reserve, Case Western, Case, and CWRU) is a privatedoctorate-granting university in Cleveland, Ohio. The university was created in 1967 by the federation of Case Institute of Technology (founded in 1881 by Leonard Case Jr.) and Western Reserve University (founded in 1826 in the area that was once the Connecticut Western Reserve). Time magazine described the merger as the creation of "Cleveland's Big-Leaguer" university.

In U.S. News & World Report's 2015 rankings, Case Western Reserve's undergraduate program ranked 37th among national universities. The University is associated with 16 Nobel laureates. Other notable alumni include Paul Buchheit, creator and lead developer of Gmail, founder of FriendFeed, and Partner at Y Combinator; Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist.org; Pete Koomen, the co-founder and CTO of Optimizely; and Peter Tippett, who developed the anti-virus software Vaccine, which Symantecpurchased and turned into the popular Norton AntiVirus. Case Western Reserve is particularly well known for its medical school,business school, dental school, law school, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing (named for former U.S. Representative Frances P. Bolton), Department of Biomedical Engineering and its biomedical teaching and research capabilities. It is also a leading institution for research in electrochemistry and electrochemical engineering. Currently (2016), both the Editor for the Journal of the Electrochemical Society and the President of the Electrochemical Society are Case professors, and the university is home to six Electrochemical Society fellows. Case Western Reserve is a member of the Association of American Universities.

The university is approximately five miles (8 km, 4.34488 nm) east of downtown Cleveland in the neighborhood known as University Circle, a 550-acre (220 ha) area containing numerous other educational, medical, and cultural institutions. Case Western Reserve has a number of programs taught in conjunction with University Circle institutions, including the Cleveland Clinic, the University Hospitals of Cleveland, the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland Institute of Music, theCleveland Hearing & Speech Center, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Institute of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and the Cleveland Play House. Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Orchestra, is also on the Case Western Reserve University campus.

The famous Michelson–Morley interferometer experiment was conducted in 1887 in the basement of a campus dormitory by Albert A. Michelson of Case School of Applied Science and Edward W. Morley of Western Reserve University. This experiment proved the non-existence of the luminiferous ether and was later understood as convincing evidence in support of special relativity as proposed by Albert Einstein in 1905. Michelson became the first American to win a Nobel Prize in science. The commemorative Michelson-Morley Memorial Fountain as well as an Ohio Historical Marker are located on campus, near where the actual experiment was performed.

• Case School of Engineering

  An internationally renowned provider of engineering education and research for more than 125 years, theCase Western Reserve University Case School of Engineering is well-positioned for an even brighter future. In addition to an impressive record of developing a new breed of engineers and engineering leaders, Case faculty and students possess the potential and the propensity to solve society's most pressing problems of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

• College of Arts and Sciences

  The College of Arts and Sciences houses educational and research programs in the arts, humanities, social sciences, physical and biological sciences, and mathematics. Students in the college can choose a major or minor from almost 60 undergraduate programs, design their own courses of study, or enroll in integrated bachelor’s/master’s degree programs. In addition, the college offers graduate programs in several fields where small size and special expertise allow it to make a distinctive contribution to advanced education and research.

  The college is organized into 21 academic departments and several interdisciplinary programs and centers, including Childhood Studies, International Studies, Evolutionary Biology, History and Philosophy of Science, and Women’s Studies. Undergraduates as well as graduate students are encouraged to conduct independent research, in their chosen fields or related ones, within the college, in other units of the university, or in nearby medical and cultural institutions. The academic experience can extend into the community in the form of service-learning projects as well as internships in research institutions, businesses, cultural institutions, and governmental agencies.

• Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing

  The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University provides leadership in innovative research, education, and practice to promote health and reduce the burden of disease. Dedicated to interdisciplinary scholarship, we are committed to the pursuit of excellence in service to local and global communities.

  Our vision is to create and nurture a learning environment that builds on our tradition of scientific inquiry and commitment to the highest standards of excellence in research, education, and practice in the world community, and to continue our rich history of innovation and global contributions.

• Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences

  For 100 years, a Mandel School education has been more than just preparation. It is an opportunity to join a national network of scholars and practitioners who are shaping the course of social work and nonprofit management in communities throughout the world.

  Our Mission

  Advancing leadership in social work and nonprofit education, scholarship, and service to build a more just world.

  Our Vision

  Students are central in all that we do, and they actively participate and contribute to a dynamic learning community that develops leaders of social change in direct practice, community practice, and nonprofit management.

• School of Dental Medicine

  Founded in 1892 as the Dental Department of Western Reserve University, the School of Dental Medicine at Case Western Reserve University is a private dental school located in Cleveland, Ohio.

  The school has undergone many changes through the years, but since 1969 the facilities of the school of Dental Medicine have been located on and highly integrated into the Health Science Campus of Case Western Reserve University, adjacent to the schools of medicine and nursing and University Hospitals of Cleveland.

  Students select our school because of our reputation for excellence, our first class pre-doctoral and post-doctoral dental educational programs that include our preceptor model of clinical instruction, and our strong commitment to patient care, research, interprofessional education and community service.

  Upon admission, our students are presented with a rigorous and fulfilling educational experience that features strong clinical experiences, an evolving and dynamic Relevant Experiential Active Learning (REAL) Curriculum, state-of-the-art dental simulation clinics, extensive community service components, and opportunities to specialize tin various post-doctoral programs, all delivered by highly skilled faculty and staff.

• School of Graduate Studies

  Graduate school is a significant life and lifestyle decision. It requires two or more years of dedicated study in a concentrated program of learning. The rewards, of course, are noteworthy. They vary from career enhancement and financial success to personal growth and accomplishment.

  The School of Graduate Studies at Case Western Reserve University helps manage your world-class path to these objectives. At CWRU you’ll prepare to be a leader in your field and community. You’ll also build your contributory potential by learning from and engaging in research with some of the world’s most innovative minds.

  Post-baccalaureate degree programs are available in more than 80 disciplines. These lead to the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts , Master of Science, Master of Public Health, Master of Engineering and Management, Master of Engineering, Master of Science in Anesthesia, Doctor of Musical Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy.

  Beyond meaningful graduate programs, the campus offers a holistic learning experience. Graduate students will feel comfortable in a diverse environment of 10,000+ students. Of those, only 45 percent are undergraduates, while the balance are in graduate and professional programs. Meanwhile, nearly 20 percent of students are international, representing more than 90 nations. Domestic students represent all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

• School of Law

  We are a nationally recognized law school in the heart of University Circle, a thriving cultural neighborhood near downtown Cleveland, Ohio.
  
  Our international law, health law and intellectual property law programs are among the top in the nation. Leadership courses and real-practice experiences are infused throughout our innovative curriculum. All students begin working with real clients in their first year and participate in a semester-long full-time practice experience during their third year.

  We offer JD, LLM and SJD degrees, as well as nine dual-degree programs. During the third year, JD students may study abroad and complete a foreign LLM degree at one of four partner schools: Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid, Middlesex University in London, University of Paris Dauphine, and Zhejiang University Guanghua Law School.

• School of Medicine

  Since 1843, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, based in Cleveland, Ohio, has been dedicated to enhancing human health as a leader and innovator in the fields of medical education and biomedical research. Building upon this proud history, our mission is threefold: providing excellence in medical education, advancing discoveries from our laboratories to patients, and improving the health of our community.

  This mission is accomplished, in part, through the School of Medicine's unique curriculum, Western Reserve2. The WR2 Curriculum unites the disciplines of public health and medicine into a single program of study. Key themes include:

  • Flexibility
  • Independent scholarship and research
  • Self-directed learning
  • Interactive teaching.

  Each year we train more than 800 MD and PhD students in three different tracks: the University Track (MD), the College Track (MD)and the Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD).

  Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine is affiliated with some of the best hospitals in the United States and is committed to developing a research portfolio that is aligned with their strategic clinical initiatives. In addition to our primary affiliate for over 100 years, University Hospitals, we have formal partnerships with the Cleveland Clinic, Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, and the MetroHealth.

• Weatherhead School of Management

  Weatherhead is respected, locally and globally, for research of enduring consequence. We are recognized for attracting and educating managers to design novel solutions to the most complex issues facing business and society. Our learning environment is a hub of creative thinking, innovative teaching and trans-disciplinary research, filled with excitement and a strong sense of community.

  Strategic Goals

  • Foster a research climate that supports and rewards excellence in both disciplinary and interdisciplinary research.
  • Redesign and align all graduate programs to link to our distinguishing themes to build programmatic synergies.
  • Build on the currently exceptional undergraduate experience by leveraging the resources of the school, the university, University Circle and the Cleveland community.
  • Nurture relations with our external constituents to create a value-added experience.
  • Serve as a model of a well-managed, sustainable academic organization.

History of CWRU

Case Western Reserve University was created in 1967, when Western Reserve University and Case Institute of Technology (formerly Case School of Applied Science), institutions that had been neighbors for 81 years, formally federated.

Western Reserve University

Western Reserve College was founded in 1826 in Hudson, Ohio, which, at the time, was the region's most populated area and named for the Connecticut Western Reserve, out of which the area arose. The nearby city of Cleveland, located about 26 miles (42 km) to its northwest, had only begun to grow. Western Reserve College, or "Reserve" as it was popularly called, was the first college in northern Ohio.

By 1875, a number of other schools had been established nearby, and Cleveland had emerged as clearly the dominant population and business center of the region. In 1882, with funding from Amasa Stone, Western Reserve College moved to Cleveland and changed its name to Western Reserve University.

Case Institute of Technology

In 1877, Leonard Case Jr. began laying the groundwork for the Case School of Applied Science by secretly donating valuable pieces of Cleveland real estate to a trust. He asked his confidential advisor, Henry Gilbert Abbey, to administer the trust and to keep it secret until after his death. The Case School of Applied Science was issued a charter by the state of Ohio in 1882, four months after Case's death.

For the first four years of the school's existence, it was located in the Case family's home on Rockwell Street in downtown Cleveland. Classes were held in the family house, while the chemistry and physics laboratories were on the second floor of the barn.

Amasa Stone's gift to relocate Western Reserve College to Cleveland also included a provision for the purchase of land in the University Circle area, adjacent to Western Reserve University, for the Case School of Applied Science. The school moved to University Circle in 1885.

During World War II, Case Institute of Applied Science was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program which offered students a path to a Navy commission.

Over time, the Case School of Applied Science grew to encompass a broader vision, adopting the name Case Institute of Technology in 1947 to reflect the institution's growing stature.

Creating a federation

Although the trustees of Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University did not formally federate their institutions until 1967, the union had been seen by many as inevitable for decades before that. The institutions already shared buildings and staff when necessary and worked together often. One such example was seen in 1887, when Case physicist Albert Michelson and Reserve chemist Edward Morley collaborated on the famous Michelson–Morley experiment.

There had been some discussion of a merger of the two institutions as early as 1890, but those talks dissolved quickly. In the 1920s, the Survey Commission on Higher Education in Cleveland took a strong stand in favor of federation and the community was behind the idea as well, but in the end all that came of the study was a decision by the two institutions to cooperate in founding Cleveland College, a special unit for part-time and adult students in downtown Cleveland.

By the 1960s, Reserve President John Schoff Millis and Case President T. Keith Glennan shared the idea that federation would create a complete university, one better able to attain national distinction. Financed by the Carnegie Corporation, Cleveland Foundation, Greater Cleveland Associated Foundation, and several local donors, a study commission of national leaders in higher education and public policy was charged with exploring the idea of federation. The Heald Commission, so known for its chair, former Ford Foundation President Henry T. Heald, issued its final report, "Vision of a University." The report predicted that federation would create one of the largest private universities in the nation, with a combined faculty larger than that of Princeton, Chicago, Stanford, or Johns Hopkins.

Case Institute of Technology, a school of science and engineering, and Western Reserve University, known for its strong liberal arts and professional programs, came together in 1967 to form Case Western Reserve University.

Accreditation

Case Western Reserve University has been accredited since 1913 by the Higher Learning Commission, one of the six regional agencies that accredit U.S. colleges and universities at the institutional level. In 2015 Case was reaccredited by the Commission for ten years, the maximum period possible. The university's next site visit by a Commission team will be in 2025.

Rankings

• In 2016, Case Western Reserve was ranked 37th in the category American "national universities" by U.S. News & World Report.
• In 2014, Case Western Reserve was ranked 38th in the category American "national universities" by U.S. News & World Report.
• In 2014, Washington Monthly ranked Case Western Reserve University as the 9th best National University.
• In 2013, Washington Monthly ranked Case Western Reserve as the nation's 4th best national university for contributing to the public good. The publication's ranking was based upon a combination of factors including social mobility, research, and service.
• In 2009, the school had ranked 15th.
• In 2014, The Times ranked Case Western Reserve 116th worldwide.
• In September 2009, "BusinessWeek" ranked Case Western Reserve's Weatherhead School of Management as one of the 30 best Design Thinking schools in the world.
• In 2008, the National Science Foundation ranked Case Western Reserve #23 in the country for producing the highest percentage of undergraduate students that go on to earn Engineering and Science Ph.Ds.
• Case Western Reserve is among the Top 25 LGBT-Friendly Colleges and Universities, according to Campus Pride, a national organization that aims to make universities safer and more inclusive for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. The recognition follows Case Western Reserve’s first five-star ranking on the Campus Pride Index, a detailed survey of universities’ policies, services and institutional support for LGBT individuals.
• Case Western Reserve ranks 13th among private institutions (26th among all) in federal expenditures for science and engineering research and development, per the National Science Foundation.

Student life @CWRU

Residence halls are divided into two areas: one featuring suite-style rooms for second-year students in the South Residential Village, the other featuring double, single and suite style rooms for first-year students and upperclassmen in the North Residential Village. Both have gigabit ethernet network access and the wired network is one of the fastest that exists. A wireless campus network is also available in all buildings on campus and ranked as one of the fastest by Intel in 2005. Suite style housing, known as the Village at 115th, was opened in fall 2005 for upperclassmen and features one- to nine-person, "apartment-style" residence halls that come with air conditioning, a full kitchen area, and full-sizedbeds.

Residence Life at Case Western Reserve has a recent history of being liberal in its policies, including allowing co-ed suites (an option offered to non-freshman students, when requested and agreed upon by all occupants of a suite) and several co-ed floors for freshmen, as well as a three-day guest policy. Pets are allowed except for dogs, cats, ferrets, and a few other small mammals, but requests are granted discussion.

3rd year students who are allowed to live off campus through graduate students have several university owned, university controlled, and independent apartment options.

A campus shuttle runs to Coventry Village, a shopping district in neighboring Cleveland Heights. Cleveland's Little Italy is within walking distance. Legacy Village, Severance Center, and Shaker Square shopping centers are all within driving distance or accessible by RTA.

Tragedy struck the university on 25 August 2014, when a Cessna 172R plane with 4 students on board, including the pilot, crashed shortly after taking off from Cuyahoga County Airport, killing all four.

Music

WRUW-FM (91.1 FM) is the campus radio station of Case Western Reserve University. Its motto "More Music, Fewer Hits" can be seen adorning the rear bumpers of many vehicles in the area. WRUW broadcasts at a power of 15,000 watts and covers most of Northeast Ohio 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

WRUW is staffed by Case Western Reserve students and community volunteers. The station's format can be classified as non-commercial "variety."

Case Western Reserve is also home to several performing ensembles, including a cappella groups such as Dhamakapella, the Case Men's Glee Club, Case Women's Glee Club, Case in Point, Speakeasy, Bigger Than A Breadbox, and Solstice. Other ensembles include the Case/University Circle Symphony Orchestra, Camerata Chamber Orchestra, Case/CIM Baroque Orchestra, Concert Choir, Early Music Singers, Jazz Ensemble 1 and 2, Marching Spartans, Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, University Singers, Collegium Musicum, New Music Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and Chamber Music.

Case Western Reserve has two main rehearsal spaces for performing arts music majors and school ensembles. Hadyn Hall contains practice rooms with Steinway pianos, along with the department offices. Denison Hall serves as a rehearsal, practice, and teaching space for the music students and school ensembles, and is attached to Wade Commons. The Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony also rehearses in Denison Hall. Music majors take lessons at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

For performances, all students, ensembles, and cappella groups use Harkness Chapel. The bands and orchestra also perform at Severance Hall (the on-campus home of theCleveland Orchestra) and CIM's Kulas Hall.

Computing

Case Western Reserve had the first ABET-accredited program in computer engineering.

In 1968, the university formed a private company, Chi Corporation, to provide computer time to both it and other customers. Initially this was on a Univac 1108 (replacing the preceding UNIVAC 1107), 36 bit, one's complement machine. The company was sold in 1977 to Robert G. Benson in Beachwood, Ohio.

Project Logos, under ARPA contract, was begun within the department on a DEC System-10 (later converted to TENEX (BBN) in conjunction with connection to the ARPANET) to develop a computer-aided computer design system. This system consisted in a distributed, networked, graphics environment, a control and data flow designer and logic (both hardware and software) analyzer. Graphics and animation became another departmental focus with the acquisition of an Evans & Sutherland LDS-1 (Line Drawing System-1), which was hosted by the DEC System-10, and later with the acquisition of the stand-alone LDS-2.

Case Western Reserve was one of the earliest universities connected to the ARPANET, predecessor to the Internet. ARPANET went online in 1969; Case Western Reserve was connected in January, 1971. Case Western Reserve graduate Ken Biba published the Biba Integrity Model in 1977 and served on the ARPA Working Group that developed theTransmission Control Protocol (TCP) used on the Internet.

Case Western Reserve pioneered the early Free-net computer systems, creating the first Free-net, The Cleveland Free-Net, as well as writing the software that drove a majority of those systems, known as FreePort. The Cleveland Free-Net was shut down in late 1999, as it had become obsolete.

It was the first university to have an all-fiber-optic network, in 1989.

At the inaugural meeting in October, 1996, Case Western Reserve was one of the 34 charter university members of Internet2.

The university was ranked No. 1 in Yahoo Internet Life's 1999 Most Wired College list. There was a perception that this award was obtained through partially false or inaccurate information submitted for the survey, and the university did not appear at all on the 2000 Most Wired College list (which included 100 institutions). The numbers reported were much lower than those submitted by Ray Neff in 1999. The university had previously placed No. 13 in the 1997 poll.

In August 2003, Case Western Reserve joined the Internet Streaming Media Alliance, then one of only two university members.

In September 2003, Case Western Reserve opened 1,230 public wireless access points on the Case Western Reserve campus and University Circle.

Case Western Reserve was one of the founding members of OneCleveland, formed in October 2003. OneCleveland is an "ultra broadband" (gigabit speed) fiber optic network. This network is for the use of organizations in education, research, government, healthcare, arts, culture, and the nonprofit sector in Greater Cleveland.

Case Western Reserve is also known for its Virtual Worlds gaming computer lab, which opened in 2005. The lab has a large network of Alienware PCs equipped with game development software such as the Torque Game Engine and Maya 3D modeling software. Additionally, it contains a number of specialized advanced computing rooms including a medical simulation room, a MIDI instrument music room, a 3D projection "immersion room," a virtual reality research room, and console room, which features video game systems such as Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii. This laboratory can be used by any student in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department, and is heavily used for the Game Development (EECS 290) course.

Case Western's Internet Technology Service also runs a High Performance Computing Cluster (HPCC) utilizing 2684 processors over 200 computer nodes interconnected with gigabit fiberoptic ethernet. The HPCC is available for research utilizing a wide array of commercial and custom scientific software packages and computer languages including: Matlab, Mathematica, Ansys CFX Fluent and ICEM, Schrödinger, LAMMPS, Gaussian, NEURON, MCell, Python, Qhull, Sundials, Charmm/qchem, Rosetta, Gromacs, NAMD, C, C++, Fortran.

Housing

First-year students are grouped into one of four residential colleges that are overseen by first-year coordinators. The Mistletoe, Juniper, and Magnolia residential colleges were established when the "First Year Experience" system was introduced, and Cedar was created in the fall of 2005 to accommodate a large influx of new students. In the fall of 2007, Magnolia was integrated into Mistletoe, however, it was later re-separated in the fall of 2012. The areas of focus for each college are – Cedar: visual and performing arts; Mistletoe: service leadership; Juniper: multiculturalism and Magnolia: sustainability. Magnolia now includes Clarke Tower, which also houses second year students as well as first year students.

The residential colleges plan events together and are run by college councils that take student input and use it to plan social and community service-oriented activities.

Greek life

Nearly one-half of the campus undergraduates are in a fraternity or sorority. There are nine sororities and seventeen fraternities currently on campus. Greek organizations are governed by an Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council. During the 2010–2011 school year, fraternities and sororities at Case collectively raised over $45,375 for philanthropy. In September 2010, the Delta Chi fraternity joined the Greek community, achieving chapter status in October 2012. In September 2012, Pi Beta Phi sorority began a colonization effort. In the Spring of 2013, Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity began colonization efforts as well. In the Spring of 2014, a colony of Pi Kappa Phi was opened. In the 2014-2015 academic year a chapter of the sorority Sigma Sigma Sigma will join the campus along with the return of the fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

The fraternities are:

The sororities are:

Safety and Security

Office of Emergency Management

The Office of Emergency Management prepares for various levels of emergencies on campus, such as chemical spills, severe weather, infectious diseases, and security threats. RAVE, a multi-platform emergency alerting system, is operated by Emergency Management for issuing emergency alerts and instructions for events on campus. The Office of Emergency Management also performs risk assessment to identify possible safety issues and aims to mitigate these issues. Additionally, CERT is managed through Emergency Management, enabling faculty and staff members to engage in emergency preparedness. The Office of Emergency Management works closely with other campus departments, such as Police and Security Services, University Health Services, and Environmental Health and Safety, as well as community resources including city, state, and federal emergency management agencies.

Police and Security Services

Case operates a police force of sworn officers as well as a security officers. Starting as security only, the university expanded the role of protective services to include sworn officers who have arrest power and carry firearms. Some officers have additional training, such as SWAT training. On top of routine duties such as fingerprinting, traffic control, and bicycle registration, police and security also conduct investigations, undercover operations, and community outreach. Police and Security operate a fleet of vehicles, including police cruisers, scooters, and Smart cars. Police and Security are dispatched by a 24/7 campus dispatch center, responsible for emergency call handling, alarm monitoring, and video surveillance. Additionally, the dispatch center can send RAVE notifications and manages CWRU Shield, a mobile application allowing video, image, and text tips, safety checks, and viewing emergency procedures. CWRU Police also works closely with RTA transit police, University Circle Police, Cleveland Police, East Cleveland Police, Cleveland Heights Police, University Hospitals Protective Services, and other surrounding emergency services. Police and Security, with conjunction with the Emergency Management Office, conduct tabletop drills and full-scale exercises involving surrounding emergency services.

Emergency Medical Services

Case Western Reserve University Emergency Medical Services (CWRU EMS) is a student-run all volunteer ambulance service and a National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation member. Covering University Circle with particular emphasis on campus housing, CWRU EMS provides free basic life support level treatment and transport to University Hospitals Case Medical Center and Cleveland Clinic Foundation Main Campus. CWRU EMS started as a quick response service but has since become a transport service with two ambulances. Crews consist of at least at least two Ohio EMT-Bs and receive medical direction from University Hospitals. CWRU works closely with the Office of Emergency Management and Police and Security Services. Additionally, CWRU EMS plans and executes an annual full-scale Mass Casualty Incident Drill where other campus and public agencies participate in simulated patient treatment and incident command. When not in service or when additional resources are required, Cleveland EMS, Cleveland Fire, or Cleveland Heights Fire can be called.

Traditions

The Hudson Relays is an annual tradition at Case Western Reserve University that occurs on the last weekend before finals every spring semester. It is a relay race between teams drawn from each class year. The race is a distance of 26 miles (42 km). Originally, the race was run from Hudson, Ohio, the original site of Western Reserve University, to the present location of the school in University Circle. Since the mid-1980s, the race has been run entirely in the University Circle area. University tradition is that if a class wins the relay for each of its four years, the team will be rewarded with a champagne and steak dinner with the president of the university. The most recent class to achieve this was the class of 2011. However the class of 2017 has won their first three years of contention and seems on the path to winning the reward. The winning class for each year is carved on a boulder located behind Adelbert Hall.

Springfest is a day-long concert and student group festival that occurs later in the same day as Hudson Relays. The Springfest Planning Committee brings in several bands and a beer garden, student groups set up booths to entertain the student body, and various inflatable carnival-style attractions are brought in to add to the festive atmosphere. Occasionally, due to adverse weather conditions, the festival must be moved indoors, usually to Thwing Center or Adelbert Gym.

Halloween at the Farm is a tradition established in the fall of 2002. Halloween at the Farm takes place at the Squire Valleevue Farm in Hunting Valley, Ohio. Students, their families, and faculty are invited to enjoy games, a bonfire, an open-air concert and hay rides. Organized by the members of the Class Officer Collective, HATF is one of the biggest events of the year. In the fall of 2009 the event was moved to the main campus and renamed "Halloween at Home".

Since 1974, the Film Society of Case Western Reserve University has held a science fiction marathon. The film festival, the oldest of its type, boasts more than 34 hours of non-stop movies, cartoons, trailers, and shorts spanning many decades and subgenres.

Athletics

Case Western Reserve University is a founding and current member of the University Athletic Association (UAA). The conference participates in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division III. The university offers ten men's sports and nine women's sports.

DiSanto Field is home to the football, men's soccer, women's soccer, and track and field teams. All 19 varsity teams wear a commemorative patch on their uniforms honoring Case alumnus, M. Frank Rudy, inventor of the Nike air-sole. The Spartan's primary athletic rival is Carnegie Mellon University.

The Case Western Reserve football team finished the 2007 season with the school's second UAA Championship in football, first playoff appearance, and first playoff win against Widener University. The team lost to Wabash College in the second round. Case Western Reserve football had another undefeated regular season in 2008 but lost in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs to Wabash College. In 2009, the team finished its 3rd consecutive undefeated regular season and won the UAA. It earned a 3rd straight playoff appearance, losing in the first round to Trine University. In the 2014 season, the football team began competing as an associate member of the Presidents' Athletic Conference. All other sports continue to compete in the University Athletic Association.

In recent years, the Case Western Reserve baseball team has made appearances in the NCAA post-season. In 2014, the Spartans advanced to the NCAA Mid-East Regional Final before losing to Salisbury State 3-2. The 2014 team set a school record for victories in a season with 34, and also won a UAA title. In 2011, Spartan third baseman Chad Mullins was named the D3Baseball.com Player of the Year after hitting .437 with eight home runs and 71 RBIs. Mullins also ranked in the Division III national top ten in hits, runs scored, and total bases.

In 2014, the Spartan men's tennis team was ranked in the Division III Top 10 for most of the season, and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight before falling to Middlebury College.

The Case Western Reserve Men's Soccer team finished their 2006 season with a 17–2–2 record and a UAA championship. The team reached the Sweet 16 in their first-ever NCAA Division III tournament appearance and concluded the season ranked 12th in the nation.

Case Western Reserve has an excellent cross country program, as evidenced by their finishes at the NCAA national competition over the past three years. The Case Western Reserve's women's cross country team finished the 2006 season with a UAA Championship and a bid to the NCAA Championship. The Lady Spartans finished 10th in the nation. The women's team went on to finish even higher at nationals in 2007, earning a sixth-place finish at the NCAA DIII national championship. Both the men's and women's Cross Country teams qualified for and competed in the NCAA DIII national championships in 2008, with the women's team coming away with two All-Americans and a 16th-place finish. In 2009, they had two All-Americans and finished 15th. In 2010, the lady Spartans finished 19th, with one all-American, senior Justine Jeroski.