This past week, Student Union attempted to reform its previously failed attempts at having a Homecoming Week by redressing the week before the Homecoming football game as “Spirit Week.” These efforts were certainly made in good faith and had the right general idea; most students at Wash. U. certainly recognize that our school is not exactly bursting with Bear pride. Despite SU’s good intentions, however, their efforts, including selling green and red cookies and providing green and red beer at Happy Hour, did not exactly raise school spirit throughout the week. In fact, most students seemed to be unaware that changes in the week had been made or that anything at all was happening, other than the fact that they were randomly seeing the Wash. U. Bear around campus.
Just as a rivalry won’t begin with painted slogans, school spirit won’t happen with a display of colors or a mascot. If students are given something to actually be excited about, maybe more spirit will be seen around campus; if students are given something gimmicky, they’ll just respond with more apathy and indifference. After investing so much time and effort in trying to change Homecoming Week into something more exciting and interesting for Wash. U. students, the organizers would have done well to create programming and events that were actually exciting and interesting.
On the other hand, Red Alert, the organization devoted to fostering greater school spirit throughout the year, has continued to be fairly successful at its job-no small feat. Even at somewhat obscure events like a swim meet against SLU, Red Alert continues to bring out Wash. U. students to support their (often ignored) Bears. Whether it’s the free t-shirts, offers of free food or the simple enjoyment that can be had by a group of fans cheering for their school, Red Alert has clearly struck a chord with the University community, and hopefully their future endeavors will continue to be met with success and high attendance.
Perhaps those in charge of the past week’s activities could look to Red Alert for some advice and aid in planning and organizing future attempts at amassing school spirit. Red Alert has shown that, for at least some University students, there’s school spirit waiting to come out; hopefully, SU’s future efforts at tapping into this spirit will be more creative and engaging for the community.