Homecoming Week is here! I believe that the significance of homecoming is to see organizations from all around campus come together this one time of year to celebrate and show that we are all true to U. Organizations including the Alumni Association, Athletics, Crimson Nights, the Associated Students of the University of Utah, the Residence Halls Association, the Bennion Community Service Center, Greek Row, the MUSS and even the Office of Orientation have been preparing all summer for the festivities about to take place. It has been quite amazing to be a part of this tradition and to be able to add my own flavor to some of the student events. This year, Senior Council has made some very exciting changes to complement the long-running traditions.
For instance, it has been a tradition for the fraternities and sororities on Greek Row to participate in the house-decorating contest to start off the week. This year, houses on Officer’s Circle are participating to spread the spirit at the Residence Halls.
The homecoming pep rally has been moved to begin in conjunction with Crimson Nights. In order to make up for the bonfire that has been done in the past, the pep rally will end with fireworks after Coach Whittingham, the football team captains, Crimson Line, cheerleaders and others get the crowd fired up. This event will be a great opportunity to hear how the team plans to stomp the Utah State Aggies. Even Big Budah from Fox 13 will be there to emcee the event. Although the pep rally has been moved from the Residence Halls to the Union, there will still be an exciting event held up at the Residence Halls with a barbecue, band and an outdoor movie (Ocean’s 13). The Residence Hall Association has worked hard to include upper campus in the festivities.
Finally, to end the week in style, the homecoming dance will take place for the first time on the evening of the football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium Towers. With the help of about 40 ASUU members, we will all come together to clean up the tower after the game in exchange for letting us hold our dance there. We are holding the dance the night of the game to give the football players a chance to celebrate with the rest of campus after the win. The dance, where students can get dolled up and dance the night away, will be unlike any other event held during the year and will be perfect to attend at the end of the week.
While we see all of these exciting events play out, we will be able to tell just how much work Senior Council and the rest of these organizations have put in to make this year’s Homecoming Week a success. If you don’t believe me, come see for yourself just how great it will be!
Nicole Nguyen is the senior class president of ASUU