The annual toga contest in conjunction with Spirit Week was canceled on Thursday.
Only one person showed up to the contest, which is open to all official on-campus fraternities and sororities, according to Student Association Entertainment Director Andrew 'AJ' Paul.
"We had some trouble coordinating with the fraternities and Greek life," he said.
According to Paul, four fraternities signed up to compete.
The cancellation is part of a larger problem, said Entertainment Coordinator Marc Rosenblitt. He suggests students are too busy academically during Spirit Week.
"That's the biggest problem I contend with, classes and tests," he said.
Club Programming Director Jeyandini Fernando agreed, and suggested that professors should lighten up on students during the week to allow them to participate in homecoming activities.
"Professors might plan tests around homecoming week," she said.
Students admitted to some frustration attending Spirit Week activities.
"I haven't had time," said freshman computer engineering major Devanshu Pandey. "This week we have all our midterms."
Not all of Thursday's activities suffered for attendance. The Homecoming King and Queen Forum, judged by a panel staffed by Student Activities and SA members, had 14 applicants. According to Paul, the pool is especially diverse this year.
"It was great. A lot of different kinds of students came out," he said.
Last year's King, Jack Niejadlik, looks forward to handing over the crown.
"It will be bittersweet, but it will be good to meet the new royalty," he said.
According to Niejadlik, the problem of student attendance during the week is normal and expected.
"We're all students first," he said.
The fact that homecoming falls around the time of midterms is an unfortunate coincidence. Paul explained that the week's festivities are planned around the homecoming football game.
"We have no control over that," he said.
Fernando was reluctant to blame low turnout on anything except the busy schedules of students.
"It doesn't have anything to do with the (football) team, people just need more spirit," she said.
Students lacking spirit may be driven by the lack of awareness of the activities.
"I've talked to people who didn't even know it was Spirit Week," Paul said. "It's hard to promote to such a large campus."
Despite the low turnout throughout the week, hopes are still set high for weekend activities including the carnival and football game against Ohio.
"I'm hoping students will come to the game," Paul said. "I think Saturday is going to be awesome."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
