Homecoming competition rules change
Bailey McBride
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: News
All competitions now have equal point distributions. A first-place finish will earn 150 points, while second place receives 100 and third receives 50.
All buildings participating in the homecoming competition must have lawn decorations and banners to not be disqualified from those competitions.
For example, if three Greek houses are paired together, all must have decorations and banners if they wish to be eligible for points in that competition, whereas in years before, only one lawn would be decorated.
"We ask that all of the Greek organizations in each grouping decorate their lawns [if they have one] because the alumni who come back to campus most enjoy the lawn decorations," Wyatt said. "It is important to remember that homecoming represents a time to show reverence to those who graduated from the UA and return to see the campus."
Wyatt also said that alumni requested more decorations on Stadium Drive and Maple Street.
Other changes include more variety in the cook-off and a rule that requires all food items to be entirely prepared the day of the competition in the Gardens. Most events also included clauses in their rules this year that suggest judging will be much stricter than previous years.
Another change in homecoming procedures is that the homecoming blood drive - which last year generated around 1,300 units of blood, according to a Red Cross representative - will allow students to pre-register and make an appointment online to donate, instead of having to wait.
SAB members said the changes in the rules were made in order to make the competition fairer and to increase the number of groups participating in homecoming events. In previous years, smaller groups had reported that the old rules or points system were unfair because the events required a lot of resources, which was advantageous for bigger organizations.
"By streamlining the competitions, SAB is allowing more groups to compete together and combine their resources so that they may do their best work in every event," Wyatt said.
However, students have mixed emotions about the new changes.
"I feel in a lot of ways it has become too strict and the university has made a lot of unnecessary rules," sophomore Shannon Mumma said. "It's definitely going to be tougher for the residence halls."
Lacie Coburn, a sophomore biology major, said she thinks homecoming "is one of the most fun weeks out of the year on campus."
"All the different activities and competitions held on campus are so much fun to participate in, especially the unity step shop," she said.
The homecoming events kick off with the blood drive Oct. 22-23 in the Arkansas Union. Homecoming week begins Monday, Oct. 27 and will end when the Razorbacks take on the University of Tulsa Saturday, Nov. 1.
All buildings participating in the homecoming competition must have lawn decorations and banners to not be disqualified from those competitions.
For example, if three Greek houses are paired together, all must have decorations and banners if they wish to be eligible for points in that competition, whereas in years before, only one lawn would be decorated.
"We ask that all of the Greek organizations in each grouping decorate their lawns [if they have one] because the alumni who come back to campus most enjoy the lawn decorations," Wyatt said. "It is important to remember that homecoming represents a time to show reverence to those who graduated from the UA and return to see the campus."
Wyatt also said that alumni requested more decorations on Stadium Drive and Maple Street.
Other changes include more variety in the cook-off and a rule that requires all food items to be entirely prepared the day of the competition in the Gardens. Most events also included clauses in their rules this year that suggest judging will be much stricter than previous years.
Another change in homecoming procedures is that the homecoming blood drive - which last year generated around 1,300 units of blood, according to a Red Cross representative - will allow students to pre-register and make an appointment online to donate, instead of having to wait.
SAB members said the changes in the rules were made in order to make the competition fairer and to increase the number of groups participating in homecoming events. In previous years, smaller groups had reported that the old rules or points system were unfair because the events required a lot of resources, which was advantageous for bigger organizations.
"By streamlining the competitions, SAB is allowing more groups to compete together and combine their resources so that they may do their best work in every event," Wyatt said.
However, students have mixed emotions about the new changes.
"I feel in a lot of ways it has become too strict and the university has made a lot of unnecessary rules," sophomore Shannon Mumma said. "It's definitely going to be tougher for the residence halls."
Lacie Coburn, a sophomore biology major, said she thinks homecoming "is one of the most fun weeks out of the year on campus."
"All the different activities and competitions held on campus are so much fun to participate in, especially the unity step shop," she said.
The homecoming events kick off with the blood drive Oct. 22-23 in the Arkansas Union. Homecoming week begins Monday, Oct. 27 and will end when the Razorbacks take on the University of Tulsa Saturday, Nov. 1.
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