Light May See Changes

The Aggie Pride Light on top of Old Main may shine blue fewer times next year due to possible changes in the policy which dictates when the “A” is turned blue.

Staci Mecham, ASUSU traditions director, said she feels that amending the policy about the light will help bring back some of the meaning to the light itself.

“There is a lot of confusion about when the “A” is lit,” Mecham said. “The proposal would allow us to educate and help students not assume that it is lite for some athletic event.”

According to information put out by ASUSU, the tradition of turning the “A” on Old Main blue was started by former USU president Kermit Hall. The “A” is lit whenever there is an athletic victory, Homecoming, A-day and True Aggie nights. Mecham said she feels the events at USU that hold some sort of tradition should be kept on the list to help keep that tradition alive.

“I think the ‘A’ should stay lit on True Aggie night because it is the longest and most recognized tradition that we have on campus,” Mecham said. “I also believe we should keep the Aggie Pride Light Honorees, to not light the ‘A’ for that would be contradictory to the award.”

Mecham said she feels while activities such as Homecoming, graduation, athletic victories and Founder’s Day (USU’s birthday) are important to keep on the list, she personally feels events such as student elections should be discussed for a possible drop from the list.

“The purpose of the ‘A’ is to promote tradition, heritage and pride, and somethings just don’t exemplify that,” Mecham said.

Mecham said ASUSU is not only discussing making the list more concise, but they are also discussing ways to help students know the reasons the “A” has been turned blue. Ideas have included creating a Web site students can check, and possibly placing the events in the Statesman. Mecham said she feels lighting the “A” is an important apart of USU’s traditions and she hopes that ASUSU will be able to make the blue “A” more meaningful to the students.

“I love lighting the ‘A,'” Meacham said. “Someday before I graduate I want to be the one who flips the switch to make it blue.”

Students who have ideas about what should be added or dropped from the final list can contact ASUSU.

-debrajoy.h@aggiemail.usu.edu