1. 12 Opinion The TOWER
Controversial Process for Selecting Homecoming Court Affects Student Participation
By AMANDA RODABAUGH inally, the committee of faculty cation and the faculty will be the been chosen.” He continued, “We
TOWER staff writer and staff was to pick Homecoming sole decision makers as to which will be recognizing the king and
The “new” Homecoming Court Court last year until an uproar of students will be on Homecoming queen; however, they do not have
selection process has led to con- several angry students forced Stu- Court. Some believe that letting to be there. The main goal was just
troversy as Bethany prepares for dent Activities Council (SAC) and the faculty decide who will be on to get people to dinner so they can
Homecoming weekend. Tradition- its then director, Heather Mul- court does not represent how the get food in their system before their
ally, students would vote for both lendore, to rethink their decision. students feel. However, Henry ex- evening activities.”
Homecoming Court as well as After hours of voting by SAC, they plained that last year the faculty’s How much did the new pro-
Homecoming king and queen. This decided to let the students pick top pick was also the students’ top cess really affect students? While
year, however, a selected commit- three candidates for court in addi- pick. few accept the new system so far,
tee of faculty and staff has the op- tion to the three chosen by faculty Members are expected to attend students are commenting on this
portunity to select three male stu- and staff. This allowed, for the first all activities dealing with Home- year’s court results as a “disaster”
dents and three female students time, six candidates to be on court. coming. Many students feel like feeling that the court is not a fair
for Homecoming Court, leaving Students then voted for the candi- they are being forced to sacrifice representation of their class.
students the chance to vote for only dates they wanted to win. their time with their friends and to Did forcing students to apply
two male students and two females Alex Henry, Major Weekend study to be on court. However, the for Homecoming Court discourage
eligible for king and queen. Chair of SAC, stated, “We decided only mandatory activity that may them from running? Past Home-
Also new to the process is the to change the way we select Home- interfere with students’ weekend coming Court members Joe Testa
requirement of submitting an ap- coming Court for two main reasons. plans is an event on Friday evening ‘09, Christian Johnson ‘10 and Alex
plication to be considered for court. First, we wanted to get faculty and starting around 7 p.m. Activities Frankenhouser ‘10 all agree that
The application includes essays staff involved. Also, we would like are not scheduled to exceed more the voting should be left up to the
such as what Bethany means to to make the process similar to that than two hours. Students believe student body and that Homecom-
you. Lastly, members of the Home- of other universities where stu- that they must attend a dinner on ing is a time to be with your friends
coming Court are required to at- dents must submit an application Saturday evening in order to be on and alumni; it is not a time to have
tend every homecoming activity. as well as be interviewed by the court. to attend mandatory events or fill
Why has the application process dean in order to be considered for Henry commented on this issue out applications. When asked if he
been changed for what seems like court.” Eventually, all students stating, “The dinner is not techni- would have applied for Homecom-
the worse? Actually, the process is who would like to be considered for cally mandatory considering the ing Court, Testa, 2010 Homecom-
almost the same as last year. Orig- court will have to submit an appli- king and queen will have already ing King, simply answered, “No.”
2011 Homecoming Events and Celebrations Showcase School Pride
By AMIE WARRICK For the weekend of October 7th than 150 former student-athletes a.m. which will start in Bethany
TOWER Co-editor-in-chief and 8th, Bethany College is ready have been inducted along with four Park, continue onto Main Street,
Bethany College’s 2011 Home- to welcome back alumni as well former coaches and the 1994 men’s then up through campus past the
coming begins Monday, Oct. 3rd, as celebrate current students and soccer national championshp team. Oglebay Gates, by the T.W. Phil-
with the offical start of Duck Hunt their school pride. After the inductions, a Reunion lips Memorial Library and finally
where students are encouraged to On Friday morning, more than Class Reception for the classes of ends across the street at the Hum-
find rubber ducks hidden around 100 golfers will tee off at 8:30 a.m. 1976, 1981, 1991, 2001, 2006 and mel Field House. The Bethany Bi-
campus, much like an Easter for the Seventh Annual Hugh “Ti- 2010, will be held from 7 to 8:30 son will be playing Westminster
Egg Hunt, for the duration of the ger” Joyce Golf Scramble. For those p.m. at Harder Hall. The Reunion College at 2 p.m. The crowning
week. Monday also brings Window having a tent for Saturday’s foot- will be followed by the Science Be- of this year’s Homecoming King
Painting from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and ball game against Westminster, comes Art: A Galapagos Islands and Queen will be during halftime
then a chance to meet the 2011 Tent Set-Up for Tailgaing is from Experience Homecoming Reception of the football game. Also, the
Homecoming Court from 6:30 to 1 to 4 p.m. Friday afternoon. Stu- in the Renner Art gallery from 8 to Women’s Tennis team will play
7:15 p.m. Both events will be held dents will be attending the Bicycle 10 p.m. LaRoche at 11 a.m. at the Mary
in the Benedum Commons. Race in the Coal Bowl parking lot Saturday morning festivities be- Ewing Tennis Center. Saturday
On Tuesday, students are en- at 5 p.m. gin with the 11th Annual Allison’s evening ends with an Awards
couraged to attend the Photo From 6 to 9 p.m. Friday eve- Run with registration at 8:30 a.m. Dinner to honor the 2011 Home-
Scavenger Hunt in Bethany Park ning, the traditional Athletic hall at the Cunningham Soccer Com- coming Court and this year’s
from 5 to 6 p.m. The Silent Li- of Fame Induction will be held in plex. The event starts officially at Homecoming King and Queen in
brary competition will be at 5 Commencement Hall. The Bethany 9 a.m. and is in memory of the late Benedum Commons at 7 p.m.
p.m. on Wednesday in the T.W. College Athletic Hall of Fame was Professor James Allison. Bethany College encourages all
Phillips Memorial Library. Thurs- founded in 1977 to honor those who Saturday continues with tours students and alumni to attend the
day’s event is a Lip Sync competi- have made exceptional contribu- of the Old Main Clock Tower from events to celebrate past and fu-
tion in the Benedum Commons at tions to the intercollegiate athlet- 9:45 to 11:45 a.m., followed by the ture friendships as well as a look
7:15 p.m. ics program here at Bethany. More annual Homecoming Parade at 11 back on the school excellence.