It was fall of 2000, and the air was just starting to turn crisp in Morningside Heights. Y2K hadn’t ended the world. Destiny’s Child’s “Independent Women” topped the Billboard Hot 100. Expedition 1 took flight from the International Space Station. And Big Sub was brought to Barnard’s campus – a tradition that is now as big in adoration as it is long in sandwiches. And by big, we mean 140 pounds of tomatoes, 80 pounds of lettuce, 120 pounds of veggies, and 90 pounds of meat.
On November 7, students lined up across campus to indulge in the College’s 25th annual Big Sub, feasting together on a chain of sandwiches. The length of the sub this year? A secret. Students had the chance to guess the total number of feet, for bragging rights and guaranteed Midnight Breakfast merch. And another Barnard secret? The specific origin of Big Sub. The inception of this treasured event is up for speculation, a campus ritual shrouded in mystery. No one can seem to pinpoint precisely when or why the tradition began. One thing is for certain, though — students always walk away satisfied.
Each year, Big Sub is hosted by the student-led McIntosh Activities Council (McAC) and carefully hand-stuffed in Barnard’s kitchen by the College’s very own dining service, Chartwells.
McAC continually finds new ways to keep the Big Sub energy alive. The student-led executive board dresses up as sandwich ingredients and designs themed merchandise for participants to enjoy. This year’s Big Sub will debut a new logo to mark the 25th anniversary — an olive garnish with a “25”.
While the ginormous sub is the real meat (or veggies) of the event, it’s the hard work and dedication of McAC that allows the tradition to prosper.
“The madness of the moments leading up to actually eating the sandwich together are what make it so memorable,” said McAC’s executive board. “Particularly the countdown and seeing everyone lined up and ready to get as much sandwich as they can.”
Noah Mullenix, program coordinator of Student Experience and Engagement is McAC’s advisor and a staunch champion of the beloved tradition. “Big Sub is uniquely Barnard, and it lands us on several top 10 lists of quirky, best, or unique campus traditions,” said Mullenix. “You see the care and compassion of our campus at work, from Chartwells to our Facilities and Grounds teams, and so many others who collaborate and support each other to make this event possible,” he continued.
To any hungry readers with dietary restrictions — no need to worry — the sub will have something for everyone. Chartwells ensures every student can savor a piece of this tasty tradition. There will be five delicious offerings: chicken, turkey, roast beef, kosher, and grilled veggie. Kosher and gluten-free offerings will also be assembled around campus, with a rabbi stationed at the kosher section. All proteins are certified halal.
“This tradition takes a special place at the College because of its ability to start conversations, create lasting memories, and connect our community across time and place,” said Mullenix. “I know we all look forward to supporting the event for its next 25 years of smiles, spirit, and sandwiches.”
“We are excited to see this tradition continue, building on 25 years of dedication from our past and current McAC student planners for future Barnard students.”
The 2025 Big Sub Experience
It was a sandwich that took 25 people eight days of planning to create, and included more than 300 pounds of meat, 140 pounds of tomatoes, 80 pounds of lettuce and 120 pounds of grilled veggies.
Kate Iza ’29 and Serena Luk ’28 greeted Big Sub diners at Barnard’s gates, lending a hand to shepherd students to their sandwiches.
This year, student volunteers donned plush hot dog hats, invoking the eternal question: Is a hot dog a sandwich? It is one of few Barnard traditions that has stood the test of time, and students’ enthusiasm for it has not waned.
“I remember when I was applying to Barnard, I searched the school’s traditions, and when I saw Big Sub, it was like – oh, wow,” said Luk. “This is a moment when people come together for a real sense of community, for this one long sandwich that everyone’s eating.”
“And I saw the costumes,” added Iza, who is diving into the first Big Sub of her college experience. “Then I thought, ‘Why not?’ In the hot dog spirit!” (But a hot dog is not, in fact, a sandwich, she argues. From a few feet away, a student chimes in, “It’s a taco!” )
Just before 2:30 p.m., students began lining up near the sandwich of their choice, waiting patiently for McAC to begin the countdown. The length remained a well-kept secret, but sandwiches created a de facto corridor between Barnard Hall and the outer edges of the Milstein Center. Standing amongst the lunch crowd was President Laura Rosenbury, another Big Sub enthusiast. The masses looked towards Futter Field for the go-ahead. “Three, two, one…. Big Sub!”
And with that, the quarter-century-long tradition lived on for another year.