The week of Homecoming is quickly approaching, and the Council for University Programs (CUP), as well as numerous other student groups, is working to rile up some Husky pride in a student body that, in past years, has failed to turn out large numbers for the annual event.
With an expanded parade, carnivals in Krentzman Quad and Centennial Commons and comedian Lewis Black performing in Blackman Auditorium, CUP President Allyson Savin said she is confident this year’s Homecoming will be one to remember.
“Our goal every year is to push the envelope, to do things a little more edgy than last year,” Savin said.
CUP spends around $40,000 on programming for the entire week, Savin said, and the money for the budget comes from the Student Activities Fee, a contribution from the President’s Office and CUP’s budget.
Savin said the figure may seem high at first glance, but the money is spread over a multitude of events, supplies and merchandise. The budget also provides for the rental of flatbed trucks for floats in the parade, the court, king and queen’s accessories, promotional material and advertisements, free T-shirts and food and buses to and from Parsons Field for the Homecoming Day football game.
“There are so many different things to pay for, small and large,” said Brooke Tempesta, CUP’s advisor. “It’s almost like a grocery bill; at the end of the day you see a lot of things add up.”
Savin said the Northeastern student body is a challenge to program for and it’s difficult to get large numbers of students to come to the events, but CUP has continued to make progress and is not going to let up anytime soon.
“The NU student has eight million things going on at one time, and I don’t think they’re apathetic. I don’t think it’s because the NU students don’t want a Homecoming,” she said. “It’s just where does Homecoming fit into their schedule?”
The theme for the week is “Northeastern: Where Everybody Knows your Name,” and CUP is making an attempt to bring students together, Tempesta said.
“We’re NU, we’re all a community and maybe we don’t know each other by name, but we’re one community,” Tempesta said. “We’re very different, but we’re all from Northeastern.”
Savin said many things contribute to the lack of student support, including a large number of off-campus students and a home field that’s over 20 minutes away. However, CUP is working to increase the number of students who attend activities every year.
“I don’t think you’re going to see a huge change from year to year, I think it would be more indicative if you compare this year to five years ago,” she said. “We had about 400 students attend the carnival last year, and I would love to double that. But to change this university, it’s a five-year process, you have to start with the freshmen.”
The parade route has been changed to travel through the freshmen quad, so as first-year students who have never experienced Homecoming are waking up and heading to the dining halls, they will see the parade and want to join in the activities, Savin said.
The events kick off on Tuesday, Oct. 26 with Court TV, taking place from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Curry Student Center Ballroom. Students will have a chance to see the 15 court members compete in school spirit and talent competitions, and Tempesta said she expects a large turnout of people cheering their friends on.
The voting process for king and queen has also been converted to an online system, Tempesta said. Students will not only be able to vote for their choice for king and queen online, but will be able to access their pictures and personality profiles before casting their vote, she said.
Thursday, Oct. 28 has been dubbed “Celebrate NU Day,” with free food, giveaways and prizes in Krentzman Quad from 2:50 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Midnight Madness will mark the start of Homecoming weekend on Friday, Oct. 29 at 10 p.m. in the Cabot Physical Education Center. Students and faculty will kick off the 2004-05 basketball season with music, food, contests and giveaways and the faculty and staff will take on the Student Government Association in a basketball game.
Saturday, Oct. 30 is Home-coming Day, and a multitude of events will be taking place, including the parade at 11 a.m., the carnivals from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lewis Black at 7 p.m. and a men’s ice hockey game at 7 p.m. in Matthews Arena.
