Seal Court

Located next to the Motley coffee shop, the courtyard is a popular place for students to relax and enjoy the California sunshine. The key figures of Seal Court are the two bronze seals at either end of the pond. The seals were originally turquoise green ceramic pieces fired by William Manker, who directed the Ceramics Department at Scripps from 1935–1947. They were recast two more times, with the third and final casting done in bronze during the 1990s. Mosaic panels and depictions of sea life designed by Scripps and Pomona students cover the walls of the pond. The koi fish and turtles are a friendly staple of the pond, and are a common Instagram choice for all guests and members of the College. The courtyard is also the location of Scripps’ tea, a Scripps tradition stretching back to 1927. Every Wednesday, students and faculty gather to take tea and snacks together. The “two cookies only” rule from when tea was originally held in the individual dorms is no longer enforced.