School spirit
When you read that, what did you picture? If you pictured March Madness or the Rose Bowl, then you have a pretty good idea of how exciting being at university can be. If you pictured nothing, then feed your imagination!
The University of Manitoba is often criticized for having a lack of school spirit. People say that because we are a commuter campus, students just want to go home after class. I don’t think that is a fair argument. If we build it, they will come and stay.
I’m talking about building exciting programming that creates community and establishes tradition.
The lack of perceived school spirit is indicative of the need for established tradition and opportunities for students to feel part of the campus community.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world,” goes the familiar Ghandi paraphrasing. Sure, he was referring to world peace, but if you think about what elements comprise world peace you would probably come up with a sense of belonging, community, love, and promoting the welfare of your peers.
If we want the University of Manitoba to be a place where students have a sense of belonging, are active members of the community, love where they are, and promote the welfare of their peers – then we need to be the change.
If we want great traditions that are part of a larger culture of pride associated with being a Bison, then there is no time like the present to help develop unfurgetable (pun intended) traditions.
With so many upcoming events, 2014/15 is shaping up to be a year to remember. In 20 years, students will wander the basement of Helen Glass and see pictures of what we did this year. Students will press their faces against the glass frames of the photos and, with cheeks ruddy with passion, exclaim, “Gee, I wish I could have been there!”
Below you’ll learn more about some major events at the University of Manitoba that are not only great traditions, but will help build community on campus.
Pep rally
On Friday, Sept. 12 at the football home-opener, the second annual university pep rally will make sure the game is a night to remember.
The first 6,000 students in attendance will receive a free gold U of M shirt. Everyone in attendance will be treated to the official unveiling of the most electrifying fan tradition in sports entertainment history.
Homecoming Push Cart Derby Championship
On Saturday, Sept. 20, homecoming will change forever, in a good way.
Starting at 11 a.m., all ticket holders for the homecoming football game are invited to join the pregame party at the Investors Group Field. Beer, food, games, a student group exhibition, and an inaugural Push Cart Derby Championship make up this great new event. You will be the first Bisons in campus history to be part of this incredible new tradition, which pits faculties against each other in a test of endurance, creativity, and design.
Frosh Fest
The biggest and best concert on campus, Frosh Fest is an annual concert organized by UMSU. The University Stadium is transformed to accommodate a great outdoor concert with a variety of artists and genres on display. This is a can’t-miss experience for all Bisons.
Big Horns
In addition to these exciting upcoming events, there is also a new student group on campus. The Big Horns are a friendly group of Bisons who want to create a positive culture of school spirit. The Big Horns support all of our athletes with some of the best heckling in Canada, help student groups with programming, volunteer at university events, and attend student socials as a group.
