For those of you that have been at Southwestern for at least a year or two, you know what the last Tuesday of October is. The time between homecoming and Halloween where no one really knows what’s happening (especially club presidents) marks SUnity Day. To my freshmen who won’t have the privilege of knowing the tales of SUnity Day, I regale you with stories. SUnity Day once was a day where freshmen presented what they worked on in their FYS, where student organizations would come together with activities, and where the dining hall would serve actually good food. It was a day for fun, and most importantly, a day free from class. 

While some of these things still remain true, the integrity and name of SUnity Day has been buried in a shallow grave. This year gives us Reading Day. First of all, what are we, British? Last I checked this was the home of Whataburger and HEB, not Tesco and Queen Elizabeth (God rest her soul). Never fear folks, freshmen will still present whatever it is that they learned in FYS, there will still be a Paideia lecture, and a poetry slam. The rest? Well the rest of the day is up to you. 

Reading Day: Relax and Find Your People. Find your people? It’s the end of October, the people have been found and no symposium or lecture can change that. Last year we had a real life carnival for crying out loud. Did I complain the whole time I ran ring toss? Absolutely, but I’m allowed to complain. It’s my right as a pirate. If you want students to find their people, maybe give them activities where they can actually interact with each other. Nothing will bond two people like whacking each other with a big stick. Some may call this inflatable jousting, but I much prefer my description. 

Genuinely, if you want to build connections, there’s no better way to do that than a carnival where people can interact with each other. I don’t get how a lecture can lead you to find your people, but what do I know? It’s only my third year here and all. 

Pirates, I encourage you to spend the day off as you see fit. Would I rather promote a carnival? Yes, but that’s apparently not in the budget. So much of your time is filled with classes and studying and homework. Having a day off to do something fun is not only allowed, it’s also encouraged. I will be working on my capstone the whole day, so I’m a massive hypocrite. Do something fun for me if nothing else. Go forth and mourn the SUnity Day you’ll never have and #besouthwestern.