When I checked the ETSU Web site to find out what the upcoming Homecoming activities were, I was sorely disappointed. There wasn’t a single event listed that I found to be of interest to me aside from those events listed as being part of the Buccaneer Bash. But as I got out and about last week, I noticed that a few organizations on campus were having their own Halloween-themed activities. These were places that I didn’t stop by on a regular basis, so why hadn’t these events been advertised more prominently? I also wondered why these events had not been included on the Homecoming roster.
Yes, they are Halloween-based events, but our Homecoming falls so closely to this holiday that it makes sense to utilize it for Homecoming. And since ETSU’s Homecoming isn’t really based around a specific sporting event, why not make the week a “spirit” week; a week that’s about bringing students together and planning some fun activities for them?
I think that it’s great the university supports fitness and friendly competition by including events like dodge ball, basketball and Frisbee tournaments, but where are the activities for those of us who are not sports enthusiasts?
Off the top of my head I can think of several activities that would have been perfect for Homecoming: pumpkin carving contests, scavenger hunts incorporating ETSU history, apple bobbing, a “haunted” tour of the campus, a scarecrow-decorating contest, a horror film festival, and actually giving away food and prizes instead of coupons and brochures.
Although it’s admirable that different organizations on campus are trying to host fun activities, I think it’s time the SGA and the administration stepped up and brought these groups together and made Homecoming a true university-wide event. Events should not be sponsored solely by one organization. Each event and the entire week should have the full backing of the university as a whole.
Hopefully next year the SGA and the university administration will get it together and try to foster a real sense of community throughout the campus. Homecoming can be a much more unified event if they get some more varied activities, advertise the event better, and really put some effort into giving students an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Author