Did you know this week is homecoming week for Saint Xavier University? Well, the commuters on our staff did not.
For commuters, homecoming just seems like any other day.
To some there isn’t very much incentive to return to campus for homecoming festivities. There seems to be a lull in time between the Cougar 5K and the football game and corresponding tailgates.
True, some of the commuters on staff were aware that a homecoming will be taking place on Saturday Sept. 27. However, most of us were baffled that on our press night there was a hypnotist on Monday, Sept. 22.
Unless you live on campus, it seems, that it is hard to keep up with the homecoming activities of the week and be in attendance for these events.
Aside from some of the most notable events of the week (i.e. the heritage ball, the homecoming game, etc), but in regards to some of the other events going on this week.
This week our staff was, incredibly divided over the matter of homecoming: commuters vs. residents.
Most of the residents were in agreement that homecoming is one of the best weeks of the year. Living on campus does make attending homecoming events much more convenient and that lull in time between the main events of Saturday is a welcomed break to return to your room and regroup.
Although, the residents agree with the commuters that the events that take place during the week preceding the homecoming game typically go unnoticed.
However, our residents insist that the homecoming game is not to be missed; it’s even worth the drive for a commuter.
So should the university increase the homecoming hype to get commuters on board or do students just not care? Our staff agrees that it’s a little bit of both. The size of the university makes for smaller, less extravagant events and thus, somewhat curtails excitement. And the fact that our homecoming dance, the heritage ball, is invite only doesn’t help much.
It seems that your enthusiasm in regards to homecoming depends on whether or not you consider Saint Xavier your “home”.
Yet the basis on whether Saint Xavier is your home is somewhat dependant on if you have been made to feel that Saint Xavier is your home.
We cannot deny that amongst some commuters there is a resistance to get involved with things on campus.
It is surprising how often the song remains the same: people come here for class and then go home.
However, it is hard to be shocked that this is a recurring problem given how difficult it is for some to learn of the events taking place on campus.
It seems to be a problem that if one end is to be corrected, then the other must also find a way to be fixed as well.
Which problem needs to be addressed first is not for us to say necessarily. The safe answer would be a little bit of both.
If the university made more of an effort to advertise events, even homecoming, there would likely be an increase in attendance. Likewise, if commuters made a point to attend a few events or even just stick around a bit after class, Saint Xavier might feel a little bit more like home to everyone.
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