HOMECOMING 2014 #MAVSPIRITunomaha.edu/homecoming

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HOMECOMING

Welcome Letter from Bill Pickett...................................................................................................3

Purpose of Homecoming................................................................................................................3

Homecoming Week Schedule.........................................................................................................4

Spirit Points, Awards, Maverick Money...........................................................................................6

Royalty Process.............................................................................................................................8

Royalty Timeline.............................................................................................................................9

Battleship ....................................................................................................................................10

Banner Contest............................................................................................................................11

Service Project: Extra Life...........................................................................................................12

Competition Rules & Expectations ..............................................................................................13

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTACT INFORMATION

Office of Student Activities 402.554.2711

Bill Pickett Homecoming Advisor wpickett@unomaha.edu unomaha.edu/homecoming

#MAVSPIRIT Connect with us online during Homecoming week using #MAVSPIRIT.

As you already know, UNO has tons of great ways to get involved here on campus, and Homecoming 2014 will be no exception. This year’s theme of Maverick Spirit speaks to the incredible growth UNO has experienced over the past couple of years. We’ve got plans for a bigger and better Homecoming than ever before, and we can’t wait for you to join us because there has never been a better time to be a Maverick.

Homecoming 2014 will start Sunday, October 5th and go through Saturday, October 11th. Whether you’re gunning for Homecoming Royalty or you’re stoked for this year’s office decorating contest, we’ve got you covered.

The biggest update to Homecoming this year is that the Office of Student Activities will now oversee the entire week of events, just like they do for Durango Days. Student Activities is proud to now be partnering with Maverick Productions, Athletics, Campus Rec, UNO Alumni, and all of our student organizations to plan our biggest Homecoming to date.

This Homecoming Participation Packet contains all of the information you need to get involved in each event UNO has planned for Homecoming 2014. Make sure to pay close attention to the important dates, registration forms, guidelines, and rules (especially the rules) found in this packet. We can’t stress enough the importance of reading over all of the information carefully, as several things are different from years past.

Thank you in advance for your participation. You are paving the way for a new era of #mavspirit. Go MAVs!

Bill Pickett Senior Director for Student Involvement

HEY THERE MAVERICKS,

PURPOSE OF HOMECOMING

UNO Homecoming is an opportunity to support your Mavericks and show your school spirit. It is a week of fun and engaging events that will pump up your Maverick Spirit and bring you closer to your peers. Students should wear UNO gear and be proud to be a Maverick. Homecoming week gives the entire University an opportunity to show their spirit and rally together at the end of week to cheer on the Mavericks at the annual hockey games and royalty announcement.

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HOMECOMING WEEK SCHEDULE

Sunday, October 5th Bonfire, Pep Rally, and Fireworks7:30 pm–10 pm | Center Street Campus – North of Indoor Dome

Monday, October 6th Spirit Lunch11 am–1 pm | MBSC Ballroom

Free Mavwich sandwich, chips, and drink. Wear something that shows off your Maverick Spirit and get a free lunch! Also, vote for the banner contest. More information on the banner contest can be found on page 11. Bring your spare change or money. All proceeds benefit the Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation.

Hypnotist Jim Wand8 pm | CPACS 101

Check out Jim Wand at hypnotism.com.

Take the Bull by the Horns11 am–1 pm | HPER Plaza

Come rub the Maverick Monument for good luck, take a selfie, and win Maverick Prizes! $1.00 donation will earn you a FREE pizza lunch. All proceeds benefit the Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation.

Comedian Pete Lee8 pm–9 pm | Scott Conference Center

Pete Lee, a Last Comic Standing Semi-Finalist, will be performing at the Scott Conference Center. More information on Pete can be found at petelee.net.

Tuesday, October 7th

Show your #MAVSPIRIT by wearing UNO apparel and get free food!

Wednesday, October 8th Extra Life Service Event12 pm–12 am | Community Engagement Center

Individuals and organizations can pledge money to play games all day long. Board games, cards, video games, yard games, and much more are available for this event. All proceeds will benefit Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation.

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Thursday, October 9th Maverick Mayhem 7 pm–9:30 pm | Caniglia Soccer Field

A celebration of Mavericks athletics, a salute to the fans and the UNO community, and a kickoff to the UNO hockey season, Maverick Mayhem is a mashup of a block party, pep rally, carnival, and concert. The event is free to students, faculty, staff, fans, and the community. The first 500 people will get a free Maverick-themed fan kit. Live music and other entertainment, games, food from local food trucks, and a free shuttle to Aksarben for after party events at participating bars and restaurants. It’s bound to be the event of the year.

Bring your Maverick Money and cash it in for Maverick Spirit prizes! The Homecoming Court will also be introduced during this event.

Reception for Homecoming Court and Families6:30 pm | CenturyLink Center

A reception will be held with snacks and drinks for the Homecoming Court and their families to get together and celebrate the end of Homecoming week.

Homecoming Hockey Game & Royalty Crowning7:37 pm | CenturyLink Center

Buses will shuttle students to and from the CenturyLink Center and UNO for the Homecoming Hockey Game. After first quarter, Homecoming Royalty will be announced. Make sure you wear all your Maverick gear. Go Mavs!

Friday, October 10th

Homecoming Hockey Game7:07 pm | CenturyLink Center

Buses will shuttle students to and from the CenturyLink Center from UNO for the Homecoming Hockey Game. Make sure you wear all your Maverick Spirit gear and support your Mavs.

Saturday, October 11th

HOMECOMING WEEK SCHEDULE

Wednesday, October 8th Battleship8 pm | HPER Pool

More information on Battleship can be found on page 10.

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MAVERICK MONEY

The concept is simple: show your Maverick Spirit, attend Homecoming events, and get Maverick Money. Collect Maverick Money during various Homecoming events and cash it in for Maverick Spirit prizes at Maverick Mayhem on Thursday, October 9th.

Each event will have Maverick Money to give out. Once the Maverick Money at each event is gone, it’s gone. Maverick Money is not guaranteed, so it’s smart to arrive on time for each event. Homecoming volunteers and the Office of Student Activities staff will be distributing Maverick Money.

So, what can you get with all of that Maverick Money you collect throughout the week? Why, UNO swag of course!

• Seat Cushions

• Window Decals

• Key Chains

• Pennants

• Face Paint and Spirit Hair

• Stadium Cups

• Cowbells

• Tattoos

• Thunder sticks

• “O” T-Shirts

• License Plate Holders

During the first 15 minutes of each event, your group can sign in at the Spirit Points table to receive points for your organization, fraternity, sorority, or residence hall. After the first 15 minutes, points will no longer be awarded. You must have at least 5 people from your organization present to receive points.

ATTENDANCE POINTS 50 points will be awarded at the following events:

• Bonfire, Pep Rally, and Fireworks

• Free Mavwich Lunch

• Jim Wand

• Take The Bull By the Horns

• Pete Lee

• Extra Life Game Day

• Battleship

• Maverick Mayhem

GO MAVS!

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SPIRIT POINTS

BANNER CONTEST

1st place

2nd place

3rd place

Participation

250 points

200 points

150 points

100 points

ROYALTY

Court

Participation

250 points

200 points

EXTRA LIFE PLEDGES

Over $500

Over $250

Over $100

Participation

250 points

200 points

150 points

100 points

BATTLESHIP COMPETITION

1st place

2nd place

3rd place

Participation

250 points

200 points

150 points

100 points

Spirit Points are awarded to organizations participating in Homecoming 2014. Attending, participating, and placing in events throughout the week can earn your organization Spirit Points. Each event gives your organization an opportunity to collect them, and the team with the most points at the end of Homecoming week will win the Spirit Award. Spirit Points will be calculated at the end of the week to find our Spirit Award winners.

There will be four Spirit Award winners. One fraternity, sorority, residence hall, and student organization will be awarded first place and receive a $250.00 credit in the Student Activities office. Decisions of the Homecoming Committee are final.

Only officially recognized student organizations, fraternity and sorority chapters, and residence halls may participate in Homecoming competition events. To participate in any of the Homecoming events, your organization must complete all of the required forms for each event on MavSYNC.

All other activities are open to all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the general public.

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ROYALTY PROCESS

Important Dates

Friday, September 19th

All Homecoming participation and event forms must be submitted by 11:59 pm.

Monday, September 22nd

Candidate Informational Meeting Council Room, Third Floor, MBSC | 5 pm

Tuesday, September 23rd

Professional candidate headshot and bio must be submitted to Bill Pickett at wpickett@unomaha.edu by11:59 pm. Headshot must be in a .jpg format.

Monday, September 29th–Tuesday, September 30th

Student Body will vote via MavSync for Top 10 candidates. Information on each candidate can be found on the Homecoming website.

Candidate Eligibility

Only registered student organizations, fraternities, sororities, or residence halls in good standing with the Office of Student Activities can have the ability to nominate two eligibile candidates (regardless of gender). This is not a requirement, but an option if you would like to have two members of your organization participate in the Homecoming Royalty. Candidates must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA as of September 2014 and must be a registered UNO student. Candidates cannot be on University disciplinary probation from the time of nomination through the date in which they are crowned.

Every year a Homecoming King and Queen are chosen. UNO is starting a new tradition this year, asking that the crowned King and Queen of 2014 positively represent UNO for one year following their crowning.

Important Information

Candidates must attend all mandatory meetings and functions per the Homecoming Committee. If there is a class conflict, a member of your organization can be sent in your place.

Royalty selection will be decided solely on student votes and alumni interviews. Candidates are NOT allowed to campaign. Candidates will be disqualified if there is campaigning of any kind. Candidates are required to make sure their organization members follow this rule.

Voting dates will be advertised and promoted by the Office of Student Activities and the Homecoming Committee.

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HOMECOMING 2014 ROYALTY TIMELINE

Monday, September 8th Homecoming Informational Meeting 11 am, 2 pm, or 6 pm | Gallery Room, Third Floor, MBSC

Tuesday, September 9th Homecoming forms available via MavSync

Friday, September 19th All Homecoming participation and event forms must be submitted by 11:59 pm.

Monday, September 22nd Candidate Informational Meeting5 pm | Council Room, Third Floor, MBSC

Tuesday, September 23rd Professional candidate headshot and bio must be submitted to Bill Pickett at wpickett@unomaha.edu by 11:59 pm. Headshot must be in a .jpg format.

Monday, September 29th Student Body will vote via MavSync for Top 10 candidates. Information on each candidate can be found on the Homecoming website.

Tuesday, September 30th Student Body will vote via MavSync for Top 10 candidates. Information on each candidate can be found on the Homecoming website.

Thursday, October 2nd Professional pictures taken by Raechel Meyer, Graphic Designer for Student Affairs.Stop by anytime between 12–2 pm. | Welcome Center (Dodge Campus)

Wednesday, October 1st Homecoming Court (five King and five Queen candidates) will be announced via email.

Monday, October 6th Candidate interviews will take place with UNO Alumni.Time TBA | Location TBA

Tuesday, October 7th Candidate interviews will take place with UNO Alumni.Time TBA | Location TBA

Friday, October 10th Reception for Homecoming Court and families 6:30 pm | CenturyLink

Crowning of King and Queen After the first period | CenturyLink

Thursday, October 9th Homecoming Court introduced at Maverick Mayhem.7 pm–9:30 pm | Caniglia Soccer Field

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BASIC RULES OF BATTLESHIP

• Teams must have 4 participants.

• 4 teams compete at a time.

• The canoe with the least amount of water wins.

• Teams will use provided buckets to swamp each other’s canoes with water – nothing else may be used to block or throw water.

• Throw water, not buckets.

• Do not physically contact other canoes: no ramming, tipping, pushing, or grabbing.

• Hands are to be used as paddles.

• Lifejackets and helmets are optional and cannot be used as buckets.

• No bailing out of your boat is allowed – participants must stay in their canoe until swamped.

• Swamped boats and competitors must move out of the competition area after being swamped, without interfering with the other teams.

BATTLESHIP

Battleship has become a UNO Homecoming tradition, and we’re excited to say it’s back again this year.As always, teams of four will compete in a real-life game of Battleship. Using canoes as your battleship, teams will try to sink the other ships using buckets of water. Each round will last five minutes, and the boat with the least amount of water (measured at the center cross bar) is the winner. Not competing? Come cheer on your friends and peers from the stands and get attendance points for your organization.

Below you will find the basic rules and regulations for participating in the Battleship competition. If you are interested in participating, make sure you sign your team up on MavSYNC by Friday, September 19th. Links to the forms can be found on the Homecoming website.

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One of UNO Homecoming’s more popular traditions is the banner contest. This year, however, we’re mixing it up a bit. Similar to previous years, your organization will decorate a banner that fits into the Homecoming theme. This year, the banner material will be a twin-sized bed sheet, and they will be decorated to show your Maverick Spirit. The banners will be hung in the MBSC Ballroom during Homecoming week, and students will vote on them during the event on Monday.

Below are the basic rules and regulations for participating in the Banner Contest. If you are interested in participating, make sure you sign your organization up on MavSYNC by Friday, September 19th. Links to the forms can be found on the Homecoming website.

BANNER CONTEST

Voting

Students will vote for their favorite banner on Monday, October 6th during the Mavwich Monday Homecoming lunch. There will be a table at the event with a jar for each organization participating in the Banner Contest. Students will vote for the banner they like best by dropping change into the corresponding jar. The banner that has the most money collected will be deemed the winner of the Banner Contest.

One penny = one vote. One dollar = 100 votes.

All money collected during this event will go to Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation.

Rules of the Banner Contest

• Use your organization’s talent and creativity to develop a creative banner that shows your UNO and Maverick Spirit. Be creative and have fun with the design!

• Any residence hall, fraternity, sorority, or recognized student organization may enter the contest.

• Only one entry per participating organization.

• Maximum size allowed is a standard twin-sized bed sheet.

• Grommets must be put in each corner of your banner.

• Your team’s banner must be dried and delivered to the Office of Student Activities on Friday, October 3rd, 2014.

• No late entries will be accepted.

• Name of organization must be easily identifiable on the banner.

• The Office of Student Activities will not accept any banner that they deem inappropriate.

HOMECOMING2014

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UNO has selected Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation as our partner for Homecoming 2014. We’re excited to announce that all funds raised during Homecoming 2014 will go towards the construction of the Carolyn Scott Rainbow House, a facility that provides accommodations for families and patients undergoing acute, long-term treatment at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. There are tons of ways to get involved in service during Homecoming week.

SERVICE PROJECTS

Registered student organizations, fraternities, sororities, residence halls, and individual students can sign up to raise money for Extra Life. Sign up, and people can pledge money to you while you play games. Sign up online at extra-life.org.

Monday, October 6th

During the free lunch event in the MBSC, bring your spare change (or spare bills) and vote for the best banner of Homecoming 2014 by placing your money into the corresponding jar.

Tuesday, October 7th

Come Take the Bull by the Horns, rub the Maverick monument for good luck during Homecoming 2014, and donate $1.00 to receive free pizza and a drink.

Wednesday, October 8th

Come to the Community Engagement Center for a service event where organizations and individuals can gather pledges and play games all day long. Individuals can also donate $5 at the door for unlimited games, food, drinks, and prizes. There will be board games, cards, video games, yard games, and much more.

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1. The University of Nebraska at Omaha is dedicated to fostering an appreciation and understanding of cultural, ethnic, and gender diversity by creating a community that celebrates our many beliefs, traditions, and values. It is an expectation that all 2014 Homecoming participants contribute to the enhancement and maintenance of a campus climate that reflects the principles of inclusivity, equity, civility, and mutual respect and understanding by embracing diversity on our campus which includes but is not limited to race, ethnicity, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, and ability.

2. The University of Nebraska at Omaha students are expected to obey national, state, and local laws; to respect the rights of members of the campus community; and to accept responsibility for the consequences of their behavior. In the event students fail to demonstrate such behavior, The University of Nebraska at Omaha reserves the right to take necessary and appropriate action to protect the safety and well-being of the campus community. Such action may include pursuing disciplinary action for violations of University rules and regulations, policies, violations of national, state, and local laws that occur on campus, off campus, or on the internet that adversely affects the educational interest of the University.

3. The University of Nebraska at Omaha expects the University community including students, faculty, staff and guests to make responsible decisions about the use of alcohol. The illegal use of alcohol will not be tolerated at The University of Nebraska at Omaha. The law serves as the basic guideline for all citizens of the community. The University of Nebraska at Omaha encourages all members of the campus community to make informed decisions regarding their personal use of alcohol. Those who legally choose to use alcohol must use it in a responsible manner that will not interfere with the rights of others. Alcohol is not permitted at any on-campus Homecoming event.

4. All decisions of the judges are final. Organizations are not permitted to view judging scorecards after an event is over.

5. Individuals or organizations who fail to adhere to the general rules and expectations will be disqualified and must meet with the Homecoming Committee advisor.

COMPETITION RULES & EXPECTATIONS

The theme for the UNO Homecoming 2014 is “Maverick Spirit.” This theme was chosen to show pride for UNO, while celebrating our University and our athletic teams. The Homecoming Committee and Office of Student Activities encourages you to have fun, create new memories, and be as full of school spirit as possible.

The following rules were put in place to provide clear regulations for the events, participants, and competitions. Please read all rules and expectations carefully, prior to the week of Homecoming, to avoid any misunderstandings and possible disqualification from Homecoming events. Any questions can be sent to the Homecoming advisor, Bill Pickett at wpickett@unomaha.edu.

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The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) shall not discriminate based upon age, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, gender-identity, sex, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran’s status, marital status, religion, or political affiliation.

Senior Director for Student InvolvementBill Pickett Homecoming Advisorwpickett@unomaha.edu