Busy schedules cut back devotion but pride remains high
Ed Shipley remembers when building Homecoming floats was the thing to do.
In the 1960s and 1970s, members of his Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity adjusted a flatbed wagon trailer to make it appear as though it was being self-propelled along Ball State University’s parade route.
It was all about being creative and innovative. But things have changed since then, Shipley said.
“Floats are different,” Shipley, executive director of alumni programs, said. “At one time, floats were more elaborate, more time was spent, a lot more energy was spent.”
Melinda Messineo, assistant professor of sociology, said many of today’s college students generally feel less connected to school and community events because they have so many other social, academic and career obligations.
Sophomore Ben Mastarone said his classwork has prevented him from attending Homecoming activities and will keep him from attending today’s game.
Meryn Mahoney, secretary of the Ball State University Student Foundation, said her organization will have a parade float today. At least seven group members planned to work on the entire float Friday night because of their busy schedules during the past few weeks, Mahoney said.
“That’s why we waited the night before to do it,” she said. “I am working two jobs and work 25 hours a week in addition to taking 18 credit hours.”
But the decrease in student involvement in float building is not a reflection of student participation in Homecoming overall.
“A lot of activities are very much the same,” said Shipley, who served as Homecoming chairman in the falls of both 1966 and 1967. “They’ve been enhanced, changed. What the culture is in 1960 and what the culture is in 2000 has changed, but students being involved with the institution, students having fun, that hasn’t changed.”
Yes, we know this was another Ball State item. Blame Google. B. S. U. must have figured out how to game the search process.
