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NEWS
| SEPTEMBER 15, 2005
Traditions
Fridays declared Spirit Day at university
Students, faculty and staff are
encouraged to wear UTA apparel and show pride.
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| Photo Illustration: Mark Roberts |
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By Megan
Magaña
Contributor to The Shorthorn
The university is taking another step toward becoming more traditional
by adopting Spirit Day every Friday, when the campus community is
encouraged to wear UTA apparel.
Any UTA clothing is acceptable, including organizational T-shirts,
hats and other spirit items.
Frank Lamas, vice president for Student Affairs, said he adapted
the idea from an annual “College Colors Day” done nationally.
According to http://www.collegecolorsday.com,
the Collegiate Licensing Company introduced the holiday at the beginning
of September to kick off the school year and football season.
“I talked to some of the leadership team and students and
thought, ‘Why do that once a year?’ ” Dr. Lamas
said. “Why not show every week?”
He said he picked the last day of the school week as Spirit Day
because it would fit in with the idea of “casual Friday.”
“We thought it would be a nice tradition to start to show
off who we are,” he said.
Students and staff whose departments fall under Student Affairs
began participating Friday.
Student Activities Director Mardie Sorensen said she would like
to see all organizations get involved and for faculty and staff
to encourage student participation.
“Anything that we, either as individuals or departments, can
do to promote campus unity and spirit is a positive step toward
strengthening our campus community,” she said.
Music business senior Donald Ezell said the idea could be made better
by building it up to other events occurring during the weekend.
He suggested sports games or volunteer events.
“We need better community service and better community recognition
of UTA,” he said.
Megan Ridley, music education junior and EX.C.E.L. Campus Activities
secretary, said she thinks Spirit Day is a good idea.
“Some students might be bummed because we don’t have
a football team, but that doesn’t mean we don’t need
school spirit,” she said.
Michael Poole, finance senior and EX.C.E.L. marketing student director,
said he thinks it is important to show the campus and city that
students do have pride.
“This isn’t just a commuter school,” he said.
“Granted we have commuter students, but every university does.”
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