Eastern Michigan University is where we interact with people.
It’s where we eat, where we study and, even if you don’t live on or near campus, where we find ourselves sleeping. It’s where we root for our “brothers” on the football field. EMU is our home and that’s why homecoming is our opportunity to party it up and celebrate the fact that its fall and we’re finally home.
The EMU family is welcomed to start off spirit week with a kickoff party in front of Buell Hall Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. The party will be hosted by Residence Hall Association and Resident’s Life. The event is meant to inspire and stir enthusiasm among EMU students for the programs throughout the week.
Putnam Hall Graduate Hall Director Jhonika Green said, “I’m very excited to be involved in all the homecoming events. The students here are great and I feel like they have a lot of energy.”
On Monday, Oct. 1 from 6-9 p.m. there will be “House Calls” at all of the resident halls. This is an opportunity for Resident’s Life staff to ask students about their time at EMU and allow residents to ask questions. Residents must be in their rooms to have an opportunity to win three credit hours of in-state tuition for an
EMU course in Winter 2013 semester and EMU apparel.
On Tuesday, Oct. 2 there will be an opportunity to exchange gently used college or university clothing for an EMU T-shirt, as well as a Texas Hold‘em tournament later in the day. The T-shirt exchange will be in front of Pray-Harrold between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Texas Hold‘em will be at the Rec/IM at 7 p.m. with a $4 entry fee, which will allow participants to enjoy food, drinks and prizes.
Wednesday, Oct. 3 is Green and White day. There will even be “Spirit Police” going around giving people a “ticket” if they’re not sporting EMU colors or paraphernalia. People who choose to deck themselves out in spirit wear will have opportunities to win prizes.
To continue the fun on Wednesday, between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. there will be a picnic at the Student Center’s North patio where EMU President Susan Martin will be welcoming students. Later, between 5 p.m. and 7p.m., EMU residents will be able to participate in a room decorating competition. To enter the competition, residents should e-mail mmirasbo@emich.edu by Monday with their name, room and phone number.
Thursday, Oct. 4 alumni kick-off the weekend with “TRUEMU Alumni Happy Hour” at Ypsilanti’s Corner Brewery, located at 720 Norris Street, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. While the older Eagles are enjoying themselves, the “Young and Successful” will be taking place in room 300 of the Student Center from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event will offer students the opportunity to merge with EMU alumni through a workshop format. Finally, between 8 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. will be the “TRUEMU Homecoming Pep Rally” at University Park. Rain or shine, students will have an opportunity to meet the homecoming King and Queen finalists, see the marching band and win giveaways and prizes.
Friday, Oct. 5 will be sponsored by EMU Black Alumni Chapter, NPHC and Celebrating Y.O.U. (Your Opportunity to Unite). Okay, maybe they’re not sponsoring Friday, but they’re sponsoring three of the events that will be taking place on Friday. “Homecoming Club House Jam” will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Club House, 1275 Huron St. in Ypsilanti. From 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. will be “Bringing Back Tradition,” an opportunity to stress the importance of higher education to high school students.
Brandon Britt, who works with these groups and their involvement in homecoming, said “We’re trying to give back to the community. We have $1,500 in scholarships to give to freshmen.”
Friday evening at 7 p.m., the same previously mentioned group will be hosting the “Homecoming Yard Show.” The “Yard Show” is a step show at Big Bob’s Lake House. Britt said that EMU is “The first ever predominantly white institution in history to have a resident hall step team.”
Britt is also working with the “Black Homecoming Tailgate” on Saturday, Oct. 6 at Rynearson Stadium.
“We wanted to try something new,” Britt said. “We’re not trying to segregate ourselves. That’s not the case at all … We try to come up with new creative things to get people engaged.”
Over 200 nations and 100 flags will be seen at the “Parade of
Nations.”
Kaitlin Loomis, orientation program coordinator for international students, said “It’s one of the most popular events all year. It’s a way that Eastern shows it pride.”
This year, the parade is set up in a similar style to the Olympic ceremony.
Loomis said, “Everyone is welcome to participate. We have lots of student from study abroad representing the countries they visited … the vast majority are international students carrying their own nation’s flag … We also have internationally-minded domestic students.”
Students are encouraged to sign up before the game at www.emich.edu/ois/, and are welcome to ask for special order flags.
For more information about homecoming events and activates, see www.emich.edu/homecoming/index.php.
