School Spirit: Hong Kong Style

As I posted earlier, at universities here there are no mascots, or t-shirts, or school spirit along the lines of U.S. universities (and no football or basketball or tailgating) . However, I recently discovered where the spirit lies -- with one's academic program.

In Hong Kong, under the current three year undergraduate degree (which will change; that is why I am here), students are admitted to specific academic programs rather than the university. In the fall the programs compete for student votes that, as I understand it, translate into recognition and resources for the winning programs.

Every morning for the past week students have been promoting their programs through orchestrated cheers, signs, and uniforms outside the main academic building. I originally mistook the noise and hubbub for a political demonstration.