Colleen Coleman-

Get ready to show your creative side, Gusties! It’s that time of year where window painting rolls around and student organizations get the chance to shine! On Monday, Sept. 18th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the Campus Activities Board is hosting Window Painting in the Caf as a part of the Homecoming festivities! Student organizations will use provided paints and brushes to create a design that showcases their group on a window in the Caf. Window painting serves as a great opportunity for student organizations to be able to share their message and build camaraderie within the group. “The window painting competition is an opportunity for student organizations to spread the word about their groups,” CAB Traditions Co-Executive Elizabeth Orton said.

Especially at the dawn of a new academic year, it appeals to those looking to get more involved, try something new, or just learn more about opportunities on campus. Participating in window painting is important to student organizations looking to gain exposure and share their message with other students on campus. “It is a fantastic way to advertise one’s organization to the greater student body, like who doesn’t like pretty windows?” Student Senate Co-President Gabe Maurer asked jokingly.

Given the high-traffic location of the window painting, this event is a great opportunity for Gusties to get immersed in student life on the Hill. “I remember as a First-year entering the cafeteria after what was frankly a rough first week and seeing all of the vibrant paintings on the windows and thinking, ‘This really is a fun community that I am a part of.’ I doubt I am the only one who felt this way, and I bet that this year when all of the art goes up on the windows again, it will be a fantastic reminder of the excellent and fun community that we Gusties are so lucky to partake in,” said Maurer.

The winners of the competition will be chosen by 3 faculty members, who were voted on last week by the student body. The first, second, and third place winners will receive $500, $300, and $100 of funding, respectively. Brand new this year will be a “Student’s Choice” award that will be voted on by the student body via a poll on CAB’s Instagram account. “The winning org [of Student’s Choice] will receive $100 towards their organization,” Orton said.

Haven’t signed up yet? Act fast, sign-ups will be at the info desk in the Campus Center until the end of the day today, Friday, Sept. 15th. Demand is high for this long-standing homecoming tradition – if all available slots are filled, organizations will be put on a waitlist. Slots are first come, first serve to registered student organizations on campus. Please coordinate with your group to only have one person from your organization sign up. Last year, 32 student organizations participated, such as Pan-African Student Organization, Queers and Allies, and Student Senate, along with many others.

Kick off homecoming week by getting creative and showing pride in your student organization. Come to the Caf throughout the week to see the creative designs from many of the different student organizations on campus, and potentially branch out and try something new that you see!