2024 Homecoming Events Schedule
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February 3, 2024 - 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Calling all Screagles! Join us in giving back to our surrounding communities by participating in the inaugural Screagle Homecoming Service project. The day will begin with breakfast in Carter Hall followed by a brief presentation and finally your instructions for the day. We have a variety of service opportunities that include traveling to a site off campus, working on projects on campus or participating through virtual service opportunities! Registration is open to all USI affiliates (students, staff/faculty, alumni and families). There are volunteer opportunities suitable for all ages. See below for specific event information:
Time: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Breakfast starts at 9, presentation at 10, following presentation students will go to sites/projects and will be free to leave following the conclusion of their service.
Location: Begin in Carter Hall, following breakfast and instructions, students will disperse to their assigned service sites/projects, they’ll be free to go from the site.
Service Options:
- External Service Site: The Albion Fellows Bacon Center
- Maximum number of volunteers: 10
- Volunteering tasks: Deep cleaning of shelter, administrative tasks
- Volunteer shift: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- More information about the site: https://albionfellowsbacon.org/
- On campus project: Cards for Hospitalized Kids
- Maximum number of volunteers: N/A
- Volunteering tasks: Craft and sign cards of encouragement to be delivered to children who are hospitalized. All materials will be provided.
- Volunteer shift: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- More information about the organization: https://www.cardsforhospitalizedkids.com/stepsformakingcards.html
- On campus project: DIY Pet Toys
- Maximum number of volunteers: N/A
- Volunteering tasks: Crafting cat toys and dog toys with various recycled materials to be sent to various animal shelters in the community and nationwide. All materials will be provided.
- Volunteer shift: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Virtual Projects
- Free Rice: Freerice is an educational trivia game that helps you get smarter while making a difference for people around the world. Every question you answer correctly raises 10 grains of rice for the World Food Programme (WFP) to support its work saving and changing lives around the world.
- Access it here: https://freerice.com/home
- Intended for Elementary age through Adults, players can adjust difficulty level based on personal knowledge.
- Zooniverse: The Zooniverse is the world’s largest and most popular platform for people-powered research. This research is made possible by volunteers — more than a million people around the world who come together to assist professional researchers. Our goal is to enable research that would not be possible, or practical, otherwise. Zooniverse research results in new discoveries, datasets useful to the wider research community, and many publications.
- Access Here: https://www.zooniverse.org/projects
- Projects vary in difficulty, and time commitment.
February 5 - 9, 2024
Explore campus while hunting for Eagle Eggs! Throughout Homecoming Week students can search for "Eagle Eggs" hidden by the Activities Programming Board around campus to win various prizes!
February 5, 2024 - 11 - 2 p.m. - Fireside Lounge and UC 2217-18
Join us for a day of self-care and relaxation! From 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in UC East, take some time participate in some guided meditation, set your intentions with a new bracelet, stuff your own pillow or set up a kit to grow your own herbs at home!
Guided meditations will be led by Andrew Rodenburg at the top of every hour (11:00am, 12:00pm, and 1:00pm). Yoga mats will be provided.
Stuff your own pillow, express your gratitude, make an intention bracelet, and create a kit to grow basil, mint or chamomile at home all in UC East's Fireside Lounge. All items are available while supplies last.
February 6, 2024 - 12 - 6 p.m. - University Center
Organizations/teams/groups can register to participate in the Homecoming Window Painting contest. Those who registered will receive an email with their assigned window spots and competition information. Participation is limited to the first 15 registrants.
Show your USI spirit by decorating your department’s office for Homecoming 2024.
Judging will be based on:
- Use of the theme: Homecoming (Archie's Version): The Eras of USI
- Incorporation of School Spirit and Red & Blue
- Creativity
The winner of the contest will receive a trophy that will travel among winning departments from year to year. Judging will take place 12 p.m. on
Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
February 7, 2024 - 6 - 9 p.m. - Carter Hall
Think you’ve got what it takes to be Archie’s Next Top Model? Put together outfits that fit the categories and walk the runway for a panel of judges.
A judges panel will score each runway appearance to determine the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of the competition. Models will be scored on their runway presence, and how their outfit fits the themes, creativity and crowd response.
Round Categories:
First round: Humorous Couture
Where Fashion Meets Laughter. This category celebrates the whimsical fusion of style and humor. Models showcase outfits that tickle the funny bone, blending impeccable craftsmanship with comedic flair. Prepare for a runway experience that redefines fashion with a playful twist, leaving the audience in stitches.
Second round: Timeless Trends of the Eras Before Us
This category invites models to embody the iconic styles of the 60s to the 90s, paying homage to the enduring fashion legacies of each era. From groovy prints to grunge aesthetics, witness a captivating parade of retro reverie, celebrating the eternal allure of bygone trends.
Third (Final) Round: Screagle Spirit Showcase
Unleash the vibrant energy of the University of Southern Indiana! Models will proudly flaunt their school spirit, donning the iconic colors and symbols that embody the pride of Screaming Eagle Nation. Join us for a spirited runway where fashion meets university pride in a dazzling display of Screaming Eagle couture!
FAQ & Participant Need-to-Know
What is the Homecoming Donation Creation?
The Homecoming Donation Creation is a competition and food/product drive all in one! Student organizations will build a structure of their choice entirely of donated items – this includes non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products. At the end of the competition, the structures will be dismantled and all items will be donated to Archie’s Closet.
Each team will receive a gift basket for their participation, and the winning teams will be given prize baskets with a variety of USI merchandise, gift cards, and other items.
When will the event be?
The event will take place Thursday, February 8, 2024, in the Screaming Eagles Arena lobby. Teams should arrive in the Screaming Eagles Arena lobby at 1:30 p.m. for check-in. Building will begin promptly at 2 p.m. and will end at 4 p.m. Teams may leave as soon as their creation is complete.
How do I register?
Participating student organizations can register by completing this form.
- A maximum of 10 teams can participate.
- One team per student organization.
- A maximum of 5 students per student organization may participate.
- Registration must be complete by February 1, 2024.
Teams may begin collecting items for their donation creation as soon as registration is complete.
While teams should collect and bring their own items, boxes will also be placed throughout campus to collect items, which will be available to any group for their communal use. These locations include:
- Alumni Engagement and Volunteer USI Offices (UC West, near Campus Store)
- Center for Campus Life
How will the event be judged?
Public judging of the donation creations will be available from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, February 8 in the arena of the Screaming Eagles Lobby. A QR code will be created for public judging.
A panel of judges will review creations and award bonus points for use of most needed items. 5 bonus votes for each “most needed” item used, a list of most needed items can be found here.
What are the rules?
- Structures must be made from unopened, non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products with labels still intact.
- Teams will be given a 4ft x 4 ft square to build their structures; structures should not exceed 4ft tall.
- Structures must be completely self-supporting.
- Canned food can be joined using any of the following methods: clear packaging tape, double sided tape, Velcro, fishing line, wire, rubber bands, zip ties, etc. No gluing, duct tape, welding or other permanent affixing of cans are allowed.
- Methods and materials must provide easy, safe deconstruction without damaging the labels and cans.
- No alcohol, glass containers, pet food, expired or open packages of food are allowed in the structure.
Breakdown and Delivery
At 8 p.m., all creations will be broken down and delivered to Archie’s Closet to be sorted.
Winners will be announced via email on Friday, February 9.
Please reach out to Jojo Butler at cjbutler@eagles.usi.edu with any questions.
Click here to register!
February 9, 2024 - 5 - 8 p.m. - UC East (Conference Series, Fireside Lounge, Performance Center Lobby)
Friendship Bracelets with APB, Family Feud with New Student and Transitional
Programs, Karaoke, Silent Disco and more!
February 10, 2024 - 12:30 - 3 p.m. - USI Aquatic Center
You and your team can purchase a duck, personalize it at the
"duck"-oration station and work together to race your duck across
the pool with water guns. Race times will be 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30.
There will be prizes for the winners of each heat as well as three
Grand Prize Winners!
Visit USI New Student and Transitional Programs' website for more details!
February 10, 2024 - 3 - 5:30 p.m. - SEC Courts
Join us to get hyped up for the Homecoming Basketball games! Grab some
food, enjoy the music, make bracelets and signs, get your face painted or
play some games. Activities will be yours for the choosing at our Homecoming
tailgate!
Admission is free for students, and $10 for non-students.
February 10, 2024 - 5 p.m.
Come cheer on the USI Women's Basketball team as they take on Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville in the Screaming Eagles Arena!
February 10, 2024 - 7:30 p.m. respectively
Come cheer on the USI Men's Basketball team as they take on Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville in the Screaming Eagles Arena!
The Coronation Ceremony recognizing 12 USI students selected for the 2024 Homecoming Court will take place during halftime of the USI Men's Basketball Game. Two Homecoming Majesties will be crowned at the ceremony.
Learn more about the 12 members of the Court here!
