Students move to diversify Homecoming

Black Student Union President Courtney Williams said she thinks some students in the past had the mentality that "black people just didn't do" Homecoming events like Yell Like Hell and IU Sing. \nWilliams and other BSU members want to change that.\nIn past years, the organization hasn't been known to participate in campuswide Homecoming activities. But this year, members are becoming active in festivities such as Yell Like Hell, creating a float for the parade, painting a window at Dagwood's, 1799 E. 10th St. and interacting with alumni. \nWilliams said Homecoming is a great time for alumni to see how the BSU is participating with the campus as a whole. She said she thinks there is no reason why black students should not participate in the events.\nJunior D'Anna Wade attributes BSU involvement to its enthusiastic leaders and participants. \n"Our goal is to expose our fellow black classmates to as many opportunities as possible," she said. "Our visibility and active involvement in traditional IU events is crucial." Wade wants to expose all students to BSU, and at the same time expose its members to IU events. She said in past years, the BSU didn't put as much effort into float design as she would have liked. This year, the float will include the IU letters in black, red and green to symbolize African cultural roots. To go along with the Homecoming theme, "Coming Alive in 2005," they will play the disco song "Stayin' Alive" while wearing 1970s attire. \nThe window art at Dagwood's portrays "Dr. Playgood" wearing a stethoscope around his neck and charging an IU football with an electric shock. \nSophomore Constance Buggs helped choreograph BSU's skit for Yell Like Hell. While she doesn't want to reveal too much about the skit, she said it will include three main parts, depicting black students at IU in the past and present.\nShe said last year she wasn't very involved with the BSU and decided this year to participate. "I enjoy the campus more when I get involved," she said, adding she'd like to see BSU's Homecoming efforts to continue and expand in future years. \nWilliams thinks this year's efforts are a step in turning the BSU image into one that represents the IU community. \n"We want to show we're as active and organized as other campus groups, and people can be proud to be a part of BSU and IU," she said.