By Jeanine RussawStaff Writer
Saturday, Sept. 29th was no ordinary time for anyone on Hofstra’s fields between the hours of 12 and 8 pm. With spectacle and prominent voices featured, Fall Fest 2012 transformed the University into an inter-generational hub of both spirit and problematic expression.
Beginning with the “American Musician” themed parade, students demonstrated pride for their clubs with a float representation of classic musicians and bands.
Riding the “KISS” float, Homecoming co-chair Julie Seal announced the dedication of her fellow co-chair and Homecoming team.
“We basically lived in the Multipurpose Room this past week building floats and putting together our SGA lip synch skit,” Seal said.
Speaking on behalf of fraternities/float contest winners Phi Delta Theta and Alpha Phi, Kolfi Bissah was excited to “pay homage to such a great artist” with their physical representation of Elvis and all things Vegas.
Alumni Claudia Cacres (2010) and Susan Mingelgreen (1979) came to the day’s festivities specifically to support their “sisters.”
When asked why she attended the festival, Minelgreen said, “I want to give back to my school and my sorority [Phi Epsilon]. It is an important part of my life and I don’t want it to end, ever,” she said while catching up with a few members of her graduating class in the parents and alumni tent.
Also returning to the campus were last year’s Homecoming King and Queen, Nick Schweerz and Nicole Burke. After the pair led the opening parade in their car, Schweerz remained on campus during Vibe Live and was able to relive his “close connection to the campus.”
Upon being crowned King and Queen of Homecoming 2012, Lawrence Daves and Liz Weeden enjoyed the performances as well.
Regaining his composure after the news, Daves realized being entitled the King and Queen “is about putting one’s foot in the door as alumni and giving back.”
On a sentimental note after describing the moment as the “culmination” of her time at Hofstra, “the purpose of homecoming court is to find two people that can bring the senior class together as we head into our alumni years,” is what Weeden had to say.
School spirit and nostalgia were only a subset of the ideas expressed by students. Adjacent to the Vibe Live stage, OSLA set up a table where students could write an issue they believe is important to be posted on campus for all to see the day of the Presidential Debate. Serious issues such as “Sustainability” and “Foreign Policy” are among them.
The purpose of the project is to “engage every student we can, as it is an important election year weather they’re a freshman or senior,” said OSLA employee David Zuniga.
Also related to the upcoming debate on campus, voter registration was heavily stressed at the festival. A voter registration tent was stationed in front of Hofstra USA for the entire festival.
In fact, Gabe Saporta, lead singer of Cobra Starship, acted as a huge advocate for it during their performance in Vibe Live, which caused heavy traffic flow surrounding the tent.
Once the concert portion of the day fully took off, the majority of students scrambled to get decent viewing spots, leaving the field designated to games and rides behind.
This caused problems for Public Safety and Events Management when another act graced the Vibe Live stage: Big Sean.
A catalyst for the hazards during the show, the artist “broke through the barrier to the audience having just having a great old time,” according to public safety employee and junior Dwayne Lindsey.
Along with the safety issues this caused as the crowd turned frantic and rushed toward the star, crowed surfing, marijuana smoking, and general pandemonium could be found on the field, particularly front row.
Additionally, the staff had a hard time taming the crowd’s tongues as much as their actions. Sarcastic shouts of “Aye aye captain” when officers tried to back up the crowed could be heard over the music of the stage.
“It could have gone so much worse, though,” said Lindsey. “If we hadn’t kept the barricades up, there wouldn’t have been a show. After that incident, when ‘Snoop’ came out, it was game over.”
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