Seeing how this weekend is what brings the most damage to Queen's University's reputation, I felt it necessary to write a post for this.

Homecoming: an annual school or university reunion for graduates.

So how did it become a reason to wreak havoc in the streets of Kingston, causing disruption to the residents of the city? Personally, I already feel that many holidays there were once, or are still, thought to represent something of importance have become just another reason to party. The one that gets me the most is how there are people who have said, "Oh, it's Easter weekend. Time for some good partying!" How on earth is the rebirth of a significant figure a cause for drinking alcohol until we pass out? I'm not Christian and I'm offended by this.

Homecoming is not about the current students here at the university. Sure, it is an opportunity for alumni to come back and hang out with the current students, but this only proves that it's the alumni's weekend, not ours. And it's not fair to the alumni that we, as students, are ruining their opportunity to come back to a place that holds many precious memories and to meet up with old classmates.

I remember in my first year, or the last year that they held homecoming during the fall, I went to the homecoming football game. I do not enjoy football. NOT IN THE LEAST. But seeing old graduates make theirway around the track during the extended halftime was super amazing. You look up to these people, and it's only right that they get this. And then there was the halftime rush, which will probably happen anyway. It represents that school spirit that is impossible to find anywhere else.

What I find still dumber is how many people are doing this because they feel it is unfair that their fun is being ruined by police officials and the like. The last time I checked, fun does not involve broken glass or garbage littering streets enough to shame junkyards. Fun is good company in a bar with a couple of drinks.

Then there is the argument that the majority of people who are here causing trouble are not even university students. This may be true, but many are here by invitation of Queen's students. It's pretty much an invitation to some random people to come and ruin our city and our school's reputation with no consequence or responsibility, all the while depreciating the value of the degrees we obtain here, having paid good money for them.

I know that almost all of us students would like for homecoming to be returned, but many seem the only want it for the wrong reasons. Homecoming is supposed to be what it is now. It is not a reason to start a street party, because let's face it, there is no homecoming this weekend, but these parties are still going on. The fact that students are rebelling only goes to prove how selfish and ridiculous we are. Aren't we supposed to be learned individuals who know better than to do this?