ASF's fire burned out
Campus Times
November 7, 1997
cartoon by Stephanie Lesniak
Due to what seemed to be uncontrollable circumstances and a lack of
communication, the University of La Verne's Homecoming celebrations for
this year could not compare to those of years past.
Throughout the week leading up to Homecoming, the Associated Student
Federation (ASF) Forum sponsored a successful Illumination and Karaoke-Pizza
Bash, Monte Carlo Night, Bowling Night and Powder puff game. Still, however,
several aspects of Homecoming were lacking -- including the annual bonfire.
The bonfire has been a tradition held precious and true among the University
of La Verne community. Year after year, the Forum has worked in coalition
with the La Verne Fire Department, the University's maintenance department,
fall athletic teams and organizations to present an event which builds school
unity and spirit. The bonfire has been utilized as a manner of encouraging
participation, support and enthusiasm from ULV students, faculty and staff.
Aside from the fact that the Forum was once refused the right to hold
the bonfire due to hazardous weather conditions, the event has never been
absent from Homecoming for any other reason. This year, however, was an
exception.
Since the beginning of the school year, ASF has made plans and committees
for every aspect of Homecoming. The bonfire committee included about six
individuals, each with his or her own specific duty for the bonfire. One
person took charge of contacting maintenance for supplies, while another
was in charge of recruiting athletic teams and organizations for spirit.
It seemed the event could be pulled off with ease, but when a member
of the committee resigned and preparations were still not confirmed, ASF
panicked, and their communication slowly deteriorated. Members were forced
to pull together and plan the event at the last minute. By the time Homecoming
week arrived, there was not much progress, and the idea of a successful
bonfire was impossible. Hours before the scheduled event, flyers were plastered
on campus walls; they publicized last year's bonfire, revised with the word
"Cancelled" across each flyer.
The fact that the bonfire did not take place is still disturbing to
many people, and there is no just reason for which it could not be followed
as planned. If there was a lack of participation from the athletic teams
or organizations, as some have claimed, aren't the ASF members just as capable
of raising school spirit as anyone else?
As a whole, the Forum simply lost communication and faltered. Perhaps
this year's Homecoming celebration served more as a lesson and eye-opener
of what needs to be done in the following years.
In reference to this year's Homecoming theme, however, the bonfire definitely
did not Come to a Theatre Near You.
