For the first time since 2019, McMaster will host homecoming festivities in hopes of creating an exciting event that brings students together
The McMaster Students Union, in conjunction with the athletics and recreation department and student affairs, is planning a full day of homecoming events on Oct 5, 2024. This will be the first time in half a decade that homecoming events will be held on campus.
The main event will be the homecoming football game, scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Ron Joyce Stadium. The McMaster Marauders will take on Western University's Mustangs. McMaster students can obtain a free ticket online or at the box office. In the evening, students can enjoy the homecoming concert headlined by Loud Luxury and featuring Lil Tecca.
MSU President Jovan Popovic has played an integral role in organizing this year’s homecoming, delivering on his 2024 presidential campaign promise to improve student events and bring back an on-campus homecoming. “Coming out of the pandemic, engagement was a major, major pillar in my platform when I was campaigning and running for this position ... We saw a lack of belonging, a lack of community. And we felt that this was a really, really strong effort to really try and reel that back in and bring something significant that could help unite the McMaster community,” said Popovic in an interview with The Silhouette.
We saw a lack of belonging, a lack of community. And we felt that this was a really, really strong effort to really try and reel that back in and bring something significant that could help unite the McMaster community.
Jovan Popovic
President, McMaster Students Union
In addition to traditional homecoming events, the MSU is also organizing its inaugural homecoming festival. Highlights of the festival will include live music, free giveaways, vendors and The Monster, a 300 metre inflatable obstacle course. There will also be a 19 and older licensed area within the festival.
“We knew that given this is something that [we] lacked on campus for so many years, that we had to bring it back big. We knew that this had to be something that students would immediately become excited by and gravitate towards,” said Popovic.
McMaster last held a sanctioned homecoming in 2019 before in-person operations ceased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When McMaster began re-opening campus in the fall of 2021, the school chose not to hold any homecoming events.
In recent years, unofficial parties, dubbed “fake homecoming” or "FOCO", have drawn thousands of students to neighborhood streets, disturbing residents in McMaster’s surrounding community.
An on-campus homecoming cannot prevent such parties from happening — street parties occurred at McMaster in 2019 and earlier, and are popular at other universities with sanctioned homecoming events. However, Popovic hopes that homecoming will be an exciting alternative that draws students to stay on campus. “There were a lot of students who weren't interested in taking part in the street parties or were afraid that there was an unsafe environment there and we wanted to offer the best possible alternative option,” said Popovic.
Popovic said he hopes homecoming will foster community, culture, and belonging among students. A key part of achieving this goal was planning a variety of events throughout the day to appeal to different students. “I think that we've really thrived in creating an event that almost every McMaster student is really going to enjoy. I'm really excited to see what the reaction is as we keep moving forward,” said Popovic.
I think that we've really thrived in creating an event that almost every McMaster student is really going to enjoy. I'm excited to see what the reaction is as we keep moving forward.
Jovan Popovic,
President, McMaster Students Union
Homecoming 2024 promises a packed schedule of events. Further information about programming can be found on the official homecoming website. Stay tuned as details continue to be unveiled.
Enacted last year, the nuisance party bylaw is again being enforced to prevent unsanctioned and destructive fake homecoming street parties
Last September, the nuisance party bylaw was passed by the Hamilton municipal government in response to an unsanctioned homecoming street party in 2021.
Homecoming street parties in 2021, unaffiliated with McMaster University's official football homecoming, resulted in the flipping and destruction of an undergraduate student’s car. This incident along with other reckless activities sparked the nuisance party bylaw initiative in the following year, led by Ward 1 Councillor Maureen Wilson.
The bylaw defines a nuisance party as featuring public disorderly conduct, public drunkenness or intoxication and damage to or destruction of public or private property, among other criteria.
The nuisance party bylaw remains in effect and will be enforced from Sept. 14, to Oct. 1, 2023. Under the University Safety District Initiative, a zero-tolerance zone was outlined within student neighborhoods where bylaw infractions result in higher fines.
The nuisance party bylaw remains in effect and will be enforced from Sept. 14, to Oct. 1, 2023. Under the University Safety District Initiative, a zero-tolerance zone was outlined within student neighborhoods where bylaw infractions result in higher fines.
Set penalties for failing to comply range from $300 to $500. If you are charged and convicted under the nuisance party bylaw within a zero-tolerance zone, you can face a fine up to $10,000 as a first offender and $25,000 as a repeat offender.
McMaster Students Union president Jovan Popovic shared thoughts on the bylaw. Popovic explained that the MSU has some concerns about the lack of specificity in the bylaw regarding how it will continue to be enforced.
“We believe that this causes potential for abuse of power and ultimately could really, really negatively impact students,” said Popovic.
Last year the nuisance party bylaw was enforced by the presence of Hamilton law enforcement during fake homecoming festivities. Hamilton police were present Westdale and Ainslie Woods streets known to garner larger crowds of students.
However, it has not been announced if this will continue to be the method of enforcement this year and to what extent.
“While we are supportive of students enjoying their time here and doing things that continue to create a stronger sense of community, the area where the line is drawn is ultimately where danger comes into play. . .as long as there is peaceful enjoyments, as long as people are being mindful and considerate of their community, as I know a vast majority of McMaster students are, we see no issue,” said Popovic.
The area where the line is drawn is ultimately where danger comes into play. . .as long as there is peaceful enjoyments, as long as people are being mindful and considerate of their community, as I know a vast majority of McMaster students are, we see no issue.
Jovan Popovic, president, McMaster Students Union
For more information on the nuisance party bylaw, visit the Silhouette for coverage from homecoming 2022.
