Augustana’s very own Homecoming: “Welcome to Hollywood” is beginning on Monday, Oct. 10 with the Kick-Off Bonfire on the Quad. There will be multiple competitions throughout those next four days at Centennial Hall and PepsiCo. Participating groups use these opportunities to earn points for their team. Homecoming 2022 ends with the awarding of the Augustana Homecoming Cup. 

Of the six competitions discussed in the packet sent to the entire student body, a majority use three categories for judgment: fraternities, sororities and other student organizations. The question is: what other student organizations participate in Homecoming? For me, the answer is few to none. 

With the overwhelming expectation that those involved within Greek life must actively participate in all events their organization signs up for, there is little room for individual involvement. Other student organizations could join in, but amongst the competition of fraternities and sororities, it seems like a waste. All Homecoming activities have a minimum number of participants for each category. Those not involved in large-scale campus activities are excluded as a consequence. 

The Talent Show, The phrig making competition, Rope Pull, Regatta, and Sing–these events focus solely on the participation of fraternity and sorority members. While the Homecoming Co-Chairs make a written effort to say that any organizations are welcome and encouraged to participate, this provides no incentive for individual student participation in the events. 

So, what could better the non-Greek affiliated student Homecoming experience here at Augustana? Perhaps a less serious competition or just dismissing the idea altogether. Within this brief four day timeline, is there something that better accommodates the entire student body?

Students around campus perceive ideas that evoke nostalgia for their high school days, such as hosting a schoolwide dance. In an attempt to draw in the most participants, this gala could immediately follow the Homecoming football game, or potentially the Sing Competition. With that being said, galas have been held at Augustana before, for fundraising purposes and such. One was as recent as April 2022–all were invited, yet it was the Zeta Phi Kappa (Zeta) sorority who hosted it. 

I don’t believe that this would provide the change that some are looking for. Homecoming is too deeply viewed as a Greek life event for others to ever have any part in it. Even something as simple as a homecoming dance creates barriers between those affiliated with organizations like Greek life and disincentivizes those who are not.

Other colleges use homecoming as publicity for one of the biggest football games of the season. The University of Iowa takes any and every student organization, including Greek, athletic, or academic groups, to the streets of downtown Iowa City for a Homecoming Parade. To me, this could be a fun opportunity for not only student organizations to participate but also encourage individual students to support the Augustana community by viewing or even walking in the parade. 

I believe focusing less on Greek life and more on student-led activities and events around campus will change the environment of campus. The stigma that you can’t have a college experience without joining Greek life ruins the atmosphere of Augustana. There are plenty of other organizations that want to provide students with life-changing experiences, new-found friendships and confidence skills for the rest of their lives.