COLUMN: Don’t kill a part of school pride
Utah State tradition. We’ve got True Aggie night – a gruesome hormonal display of love at its best. It also seems like we’ve had the same security guards since 1992. That’s been pretty steady. And each new school year brings in the tradition of limited parking, which also complicates matters when the traditional HOWL party is held in October.
But overall, the USU traditions that are strong are the traditions that should keep on going.
One tradition that has been around since 1997 is the lighting of the Aggie Pride Light, otherwise known as the “A” atop Old Main. This “A” is lit blue during times of success for the university and includes, but is not limited to, the following events: Homecoming, athletic victories, True Aggie nights, Aggie Pride Light Honorees, A-days, Robins Awards, Utah State Carnegie Professor of the Year, student elections, first day of classes and Founder’s Day.
Deciding which of these events deserve an Aggie Pride lighting is now being debated by members of ASUSU. Some think the light has lost its meaning since it is used so often. But that is only one group’s opinion on such a well-established tradition. Have USU students been able to comment on possible changes concerning the “A” lighting? No. Not yet at any rate, and not on any large scale. While nothing is finalized yet on the fate of the “A,” we hope students are able to comment before anything does become final.
Although ASUSU has not decided which lighting events should be dropped, a tradition of being a USU Aggie is at stake. This isn’t some random, new tradition like the Library Howl, which takes place during Finals Week, and which, honestly, is a lame thing to do in a place reserved for studying.
So why the change all of a sudden on such an integral part of being an Aggie? As far as we’re concerned, the “A” isn’t lit blue enough. There’s something special about seeing the “A” blue. It provides pride in being an Aggie. Let’s face it, white is kind of a bland color, but the blue “A” is something special to USU. Not only that, the blue “A” can clearly be seen coming out of Sardine Canyon at night. Sure it can sometimes be confusing trying to figure out exactly why the “A” is blue, but at least students know something special happened. Eliminating events to eliminate confusion probably won’t solve the problem. ASUSU’s ideas to better announce why the “A” is blue are much more valuable. Let’s not kill a part of school pride.
An old adage seems to apply well in this situation: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Well, it ain’t broke, so put away the legislative pens.
Students, let your opinion concerning this tradition be known. Maybe most students don’t mind the changing of the Aggie Pride light, but for those who do, make sure you present your arguments to ASUSU.