The student branch of the Alumni Association met to discuss next year’s Homecoming on April 23. For those of us who didn’t even know Homecoming and Spirit Week existed, there is hope.

Student Sen. Maritza Adonis is on the case. In the meeting, which is open to all students, Adonis, a junior in political science and sociology, made sure to put a bit of flare into the 2008 Homecoming and corresponding Spirit Week. Among her plans, Adonis proposed additional features to Homecoming including new events, Homecoming court and a Spirit Week with differing themes daily.

“I feel like Homecoming is a strong tradition where you’re not only appreciating the alumni, but you’re also trying to educate students on the history and values of their respective institution,” Adonis said.

This kind of thinking is a step in a good direction. Spirit Week this past year seemed like just another week. Organizers cancelled the parade because of weather. We should mix things up and show our pride in our University. There’s no point in going to college if you cannot have fun.

Maybe there’s a correlation between the University’s sports teams lack of wins and the lack of flash during Spirit Week. On that note, one of the daily themes could be devoted to just athletes. I propose students have a jock day as well as a host of other days to promote pride in our University. Along with jock day, I propose a character day, a beach day, a heritage day and a tacky day. Students should get prizes like tickets to a concert for their outfits and a place in the Agromeck.

Events such as musical concerts, comedy shows, fashion shows and perhaps an alumni v. student car show would be cool to have in addition to the parade, just in case it falls through again. More students should be able to participate in the parade. It should snake around campus and should be hard not to see. Instead of being in UNC-Chapel Hill’s shadow, N.C. State can set the higher standard by which rival universities follow.

There should be not only a Leader of the Pack. The student body should consider a Homecoming court. A Homecoming court would allow for more students to receive some recognition for not only their academic achievements, but also their service in the community and their significance in terms of their class and college. We should have a mister and miss freshman as well as a mister and miss sophomore and junior. NCSU should consider a mister and miss N.C. State. This would be the Homecoming court. There could even be titles for colleges, advisers and teachers. There could be a coronation party.

The additions to the Spirit Week and Homecoming itself would definitely help out student morale on campus. The court could even parade in a car show around campus. For such a large University we should have a larger court and more opportunities to put outstanding members of the NCSU community on a pedestal.

E-mail Mansoor about Homecoming at [email protected]