The creation of a board to oversee all Homecoming Weekend events has left some nervous about the fate of one Ohio University scholarship, but student leaders insist the scholarship is not at risk.
The Blackburn/Spencer Scholarship, which was established in 1979, is partially funded each year through money the Black Student Cultural Programming Board's Homecoming Coronation raises.
The coronation, which is currently run solely by the board, crowns a king and queen each year; the titles go to those who raised the most money for the scholarship fund. But, beginning next year, the Homecoming Steering Committee must approve all homecoming events, which some board members fear will mean the organization will lose control of the coronation.
There are 350 student organizations; there could be 100 candidates (to run the coronation)
said Linda Daniels, OU's director of multi-cultural programs.
The creation of the committee could force the scholarship fund to find alternative ways to raise money, Daniels said. The coronation currently provides between $4,000 and $6,000 a year for the scholarship.
Student Senate President Robert Leary, one of the architects of the new Homecoming Steering Committee, said funding for the scholarship is not in danger. He added that plans for the new coronation are not concrete but will not likely force BSCPB to host its own coronation.
If this coronation is the only homecoming coronation and the scholarship has historically been tied to it then the scholarship could still be tied to coronation. Leary said.
In fact, Leary believes the reorganization will ultimately benefit the scholarship.
The goal is to have a bigger more inclusive homecoming
which means greater attendance
he said. (The amount of money raised) has the potential to be increased.
Daniels said the board's coronation always has been inclusive.
We've never said it's a BSCPB homecoming queen
she said, adding that a number of students from different organizations and ethnicities have been crowned homecoming queen.
Student Trustee Chauncey Jackson, who also helped form the steering committee, said protecting the scholarship money has been a priority throughout the effort to reform Homecoming.
(The steering committee members) understand
and frankly they want to see (the scholarship funding) grow
Jackson said. There is a fundamental understanding that the scholarship is not in jeopardy
he added.
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