Here we are again — the end of another semester, another year gone. And with the hangover of Mayfest and impending finals looming over our campus like a dark, gray cloud, we all — oh wait, that’s an actual gray cloud — rain all week.

So upon reflection of another year of life on the Hill, what can we conclude? That SU kind of, well, began to suck. Here’s why:

Homecoming. Can we even call it that? I’m not even sure how I’m supposed to define it in terms of what a homecoming is supposed to be. While other universities have tailgates, bonfires, cookouts, rallies, fairies that sprinkle fairy dust to help alumni remember the magic of their alma mater, what did our Homecoming have? A parade? At 8 a.m. on a Saturday? That’s so far from realistic it makes me want to transfer to Le Moyne. I could try an in-depth analysis of why our Homecoming 2011 was a major fail, but I still have a 25-page research paper that I have yet to start, so we’ll just chalk this one up to our sh*tty football team. Sorry guys you lose…again.

Actually, I’m sorry, you guys did win the Pinstripe Bowl. So, now that we know you have the potential to not suck, let’s try to sell out a football game, or at least Homecoming.

Connective Corridor. I still have yet to fully understand the benefits of this bus and construction project. Maybe the hundreds of thousands of dollars we’ve raised for this seemingly pointless route of transportation could be better used for Homecoming festivities. Or for scholarship money. Or renovate E.S. Bird Library. At the very least, maybe just equip every table at the library with outlets. Schine Student Center could probably use a little sprucing up as well. And while we’re on the topic of renovation, how did the first floor of Bowne Hall get left out in its remodeling? Poor little guy probably feels so ugly underneath its shiny, new counterparts.

MayFest — you knew this was coming. As the last class that experienced the real Mayfest in all its Euclid Avenue glory, we’ll be the only ones left with the institutional memory necessary to bring it back. We’ve had some failed attempts, but I don’t think that means we should give up. Obama said ‘Yes, we can!’ and look what happened over the weekend. He captured the bad guy, upstaged the royal wedding and interrupted the television program that the goon who badgered him about his birth certificate so ironically hosts. See kids, fairytales do come true. C’mon 2012, let’s bring back the magic of MayFest.

Smoke-free campus initiative. Excuse me, how else am I expected to survive midterms and finals without the occasional cigarette study break. I regret letting it become a staple for all-nighters, but it has. I’ve seen the pictures, I know it’s a nasty habit, and I understand the long-term effects. We all do. But when you’re looking into the gruesome eyes of two all-nighters when you have four research papers to write, a final to study for and two presentations to complete, the nicotine really helps in not throwing yourself in front of a bus. Oh wait… is that the Connective Corridor?

Let’s focus on more important things, things that the majority of students would actually like to see go into effect. Like I don’t know… revitalizing Homecoming, fixing SU facilities, or bringing back Mayfest to its former glory.

I love you SU, truly I do. I’m looking to have an epic senior year. But at the rate we’re going, I’ll be writing another disappointing reflection column this time next year. I don’t want to have to do that. Time to rally rising seniors — what better legacy could we leave than as the class that brought SU back.

Lauren Tousignant is a junior writing and communication and rhetorical studies major. Her column appears occasionally. She can be reached at letousig@syr.edu

Published on May 2, 2011 at 12:00 pm