Despite many events canceled or rescheduled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Homecoming Week at NSU is still on, albeit with a couple of new events and changes to keep the community safe. This year, Homecoming Week, Nov. 2-8, will feature a combination of online events and in-person celebrations, which will allow members of the NSU community to participate despite their location.
The following are the events scheduled for Homecoming Week, with in-person events following COVID-19 safety precautions and social distancing guidelines. While some events have not announced a date or time yet, more information can be found on the Office of Campus Life’s Instagram, @nsucampuslife.
Nov. 2
On Monday, Homecoming Week launches with a breakfast kickoff to wake the Sharks up by handing out free individually wrapped breakfast meals for students walking through the University Center, starting at 7:30 a.m. Afterward, there will be giveaways in the U.C. spine from noon to 1 p.m. where attendees can win NSU swag, homecoming t-shirts and other goodies. To finish off the first night of Homecoming Week, there will be the Bleed Shark Blue prep rally in Rick Case Arena, featuring a DJ battle, an introduction of Homecoming royalty and the reveal of the newest design of NSU’s mascot, Razor.
Nov. 3
To show support in the upcoming election and encourage students to vote, the day will start off with the Office of Residential Life and Housing shuttling residential students to the voting site. Then, at night, in collaboration with the Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement and the Student Government Association, an election event in the Flight Deck backyard will be held from 5-7 p.m. The event will include free food from Shark Cage businesses, radio giveaways and a drawing for numerous prizes including a 32-inch television and an Amazon Echo.
Nov. 4
Hosted by the Veterans Resource Center, members of the NSU community can drop by Flight Deck for the NSU for Veterans event, where students can meet NSU veterans and fill out a letter to be sent to troops serving our country. Additionally, this event will be held in a virtual format as well, where anyone interested in writing a letter can go to the website tinyurl.com/NSUforVeterans and fill out a card to be sent. At night, there will also be open mic night in collaboration with Shark Talent, where students can win $300.
Nov. 5
To showcase some greek life pride, the Miss Phi Beta Sigma Pageant will take place both in-person and online. The crowning of the winner will take place in person, but anyone interested in watching the pageant can join one of the two viewing parties in either Mako Hall or Flight Deck.
Nov. 6
The day will start off with a special Homecoming edition of Shark Pride Friday in the U.C spine from 12-1 p.m., where students have a chance to win a variety of giveaways. Then, at night, the Homecoming Bash will be held, featuring food trucks and other activities. The Office of Campus Life and Student Engagement is looking to make that event as safe as possible by holding the event in the library quad with more details to come.
Nov. 7
A brand new event for Homecoming, the Office of Residential Life and Housing will hold a drive-in movie night, featuring the film “Shark Tale” in one of the residential lots.
Nov. 8
To finish off the week, Razor’s Reef and Shark Dining will hold a cooking class for students to make a special brunch to cap off their week.
Additionally, Homecoming Week will feature a variety of events for NSU alumni. Another change for this year is that the Office of Campus Life and Student Engagement is collaborating with NSU’s Alumni Association to include Alumni Week as a part of Homecoming. The Alumni Association will host events, such as the Virtual Trivia and Scavenger Night on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. and other exclusive invite-only events to recognize distinguished alumni.
Gerard Wheeler, the director of campus life and student engagement, says that, due to recent events with COVID-19 and the ever-changing nature of the virus, the current schedule is not entirely finalized and is subject to change. Anyone who wants to stay updated with all the events happening throughout Homecoming Week is encouraged to follow the Office of Campus Life and Student Engagement on Instagram @nsucampuslife.
