By Olga Mosiychuk
When it comes to Homecoming, the University of Portland is used to seeing something along the lines of a Friday night soccer game and a Saturday night dance, but this year's event will look radically different and last almost a week.
The new Homecoming celebration, running from Sept. 28 to Oct. 3, is appropriately-themed "Pump Up the Purple."
Sponsored by the Campus Program Board, UP Athletics Department and ASUP, the festivities' focus is to promote school pride.
"We really wanted to spread a lot of school spirit," said senior CPB Director Tarra McCurdy.
"In other years, we have been passive about our school spirit and I think Homecoming will give students the chance to really get into it," she said.
Homecoming will kick-off with an NCAA-sponsored alcohol speaker, Jason Kilmer, Monday.
Those who attend his presentation at 10 p.m. in the Chiles Center will receive free Homecoming dance tickets.
Medallion Madness - a school-wide scavenger hunt put on by the Student Alumni Association - will begin on Monday as well.
Tuesday has been proclaimed CPB's "Day of Rest" (there will be no activities on this day), followed by Peanut Butter and Jelly night at Espresso UP on Wednesday. On Thursday, residence halls will decorate shopping cart floats for next day's parade.
There will be a pep rally before the UP women's soccer game against the University of Montana Friday night.
Complete with a shopping cart parade, Pride Slide and chili feed, the Rally will in the Shipstad Quad at 5 p.m.
The ever popular, semi-formal Homecoming dance will in the Melody Ballroom Saturday night from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Tickets are $10 and include bus transportation to and from the dance. They will be sold outside the Commons throughout next week.
Planning next week's Homecoming activities has been a long process, McCurdy said.
She, along with Homecoming coordinators Megan Smith and Carolyn Borsch, began developing the events last April.
"We tried to do a week-long Homecoming last year, but it was too last minute," said McCurdy.
"It's going to be very different," said Smith when asked about projected student reactions to this year's extended celebration.
"But I think that people will really enjoy Homecoming. There are so many things to do," Smith said.
"It's going to be kind of like high school Homecoming," said Juliana Flores, a freshman, after being informed about the events that will occur throughout Homecoming week.
"I'm excited! I didn't even realize that UP had a Homecoming, but it seems like it will be cool," Flores said.
Sophomore Katie Kroger was equally thrilled.
"It's so awesome that they are actually going to have more events this year," she said
"I was so confused, because there wasn't much Homecoming hype last year, but it looks like this year is going to be way more fun," Kroger said.
McCurdy hopes that this year's change of pace to a week-long Homecoming celebration will become a tradition that gets even bigger.
