Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Homecoming and Family Weekend canceled; possible alternatives to follow

Saturday, August 22, 2020
Daniel Bergholdt and Chase Urhahn playing a game of cornhole at the SEMO football tailgate on Saturday, ‎Sept. ‎21, ‎2019.
Photo by Jelani Days

On Friday, Aug. 21, Southeast decided to cancel two of the biggest university events of the fall; Family Weekend and Homecoming.

Prior to the decision, the Ohio Valley Conference moved all fall competitions to the spring, including the Redhawks Oct. 31 Homecoming bout against Austin Peay. The OVC has not yet released details on how moving fall sports to spring will work for scheduling.

University officials, including a newly formed task force under the Southeast Emergency Response Team, will gather to discuss alternatives to both events. Family Weekend could still be held virtually, while Homecoming could be postponed to the spring with the OVC schedule.

Southeast President Carlos Vargas said the decision was not made lightly, but the university’s focus is on maintaining a safe, virus free environment.

To help garner engagement while in person events continue to be cancelled, a Subcommittee on Virtual Engagement Events has been formed. The purpose of the committee is to help transfer canceled events into virtual activities, or do the same with events that have yet to be canceled.

The end of October is now being reformed into an alumni appreciation week, with several events meant to honor or recognize alumni and donors. All events will continue on the path of virtual attendance.

More information about Homecoming, Family Weekend and the new OVC spring schedule will follow.

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