Homecoming perspectives

 Lack of  promotion makes homecoming low-key, and that is OK

Homecoming Week has descended upon the University of Idaho earlier than usual in recent years, and the result is a truer sense of the word. Students came home to Moscow a little over a month ago, and the time has come to get together with everyone in the community as well as all of the returning alumni.

It’s a time for celebration, chants and camaraderie stemmed from sport and competition. It’s an exciting time to be a Vandal.

Many students complain that UI’s homecoming is Greek-oriented, that students off campus and in the residence halls are left out of the events or forgotten in the traditions. These arguments rarely hold weight, seeing as it’s not anyone’s job to herd students to homecoming events. Students in the residence halls live a short walk away from most events — Serpentine passes right below most of their windows — and off-campus students can find out when events are happening online.

But there is one valid homecoming-oriented complaint: UI does very little to advertise or promote Homecoming Week to students in all living situations.

While some might see this as a weakness on the university’s part, I am grateful.

As a senior about to complete my four-year program, I am proud to be a Vandal, and yet I feel no need to participate in homecoming events to prove it. I’ve done the whole shebang in years past — the parade, Serpentine, the fireworks and the football game.

Because I go to a university that doesn’t shove homecoming down my throat, I can comfortably sit out of this year’s festivities without guilt or ridicule.

This isn’t to say I won’t come back to Moscow during future Homecoming Weeks. I see myself toting my kids around, taking them to get gyros at Mikey’s and making them pose for photos on the couches in The Argonaut office. I am a fan of this community, and what better time to show my kids how fun Moscow can be than during the weekend of homecoming?

But the hype of homecoming is mostly confined to two days: the weekend, Friday and Saturday. While walking to and from classes this week, even downtown to get coffee and study, I saw little evidence of homecoming. A lot of my friends caught themselves on Wednesday just realizing this week had relevance.

It’s refreshing that I can carry on my regular routine during the week without feeling obligated to write a jingle or decorate my door, because honestly, even though I’m proud to be a Vandal, I’m proud in a different way.

I am proud when I wander the stacks in the library and realize how many resources I have at this institution. I am proud when I interact with people of all backgrounds and ambitions, with the common ground that we’re all Vandals.

The university knows being a proud Vandal is not defined by taking part in every homecoming event — pride is a year-round thing.

Though the lack of homecoming promotion on the administration’s part might seem a missed opportunity to some, I see an institution that offers academic success, with a side of fun.

Lyndsie Kiebert 

can be reached at 

[email protected] 

or on Twitter @lyndsie_kiebertw

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