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Homecoming is for everyone in the Tuskegee Family, and that certainly includes you… My fellow Alumni. Please accept this as my sincerest apology for any statements made that would contradict this fact: Homecoming is for everyone in the Tuskegee Family. I accept full responsibility for this miscommunication.
During the first few minutes of our Zoom meeting last week, I shared my enjoyment of my own Homecoming experiences since graduating in 1986. Therefore, my goal was to highlight all that we have planned for you when you return this year. It was also my goal to communicate the various measures taken to balance the safety and security of our students, fiduciary responsibilities, and the beloved traditions of our school.
We started the conversation by sharing why we wanted you to return to Homecoming. This is an accurate summary of why we believe your participation is vital and based on many traditions that we do not plan to change. For example, you are still able to come to the yard and socialize on Friday and Saturday, still able to tailgate inside the stadium, and we also highlighted why you should return.
Changes like parking and time limits on events are necessary to support crowd management, safety, and security for all attendees. We are investing heavily in shuttle services to minimize the inconvenience. Similar changes are happening like this throughout the country, especially at large gatherings. I welcome all feedback on these changes.
The term “Students First” is the center platform of my Presidency and has been even before I officially started. That is not intended to be exclusive of any other vital member of the Tuskegee Family. It is intended to emphasize that the Tuskegee Graduate deserves our best efforts to prepare them for a changing, increasingly competitive, volatile, and even potentially hostile world. The world awaits our students, and you and I want them ready. That only happens by prioritizing rigorous academics, disciplined habits of mind, the best, and when applicable, modern facilities possible, and certainly their safety and security. This also includes their responsible social and emotional development. To that end, there are a number of events focused on students throughout the entire Homecoming Week. I want them to see and meet you. I routinely mention the accomplishments of alumni when speaking to students. We must all provide examples for them worthy of emulation. That has not changed and is not unique to this coming year or years past.
Finally, we have assembled the answers to clarify questions that were asked during the one-hour Zoom session. They will help you to better understand the new guidelines, because this will be different from your previous Homecoming experience. It is the first in a series of “Know Before You Go” communications that you can expect from our team.
The University is entering a Renaissance Period focused on growing and expanding opportunities and resources for our students. Growth certainly involves change, and change can be difficult. As our growth continues, the involvement and presence of our alumni is necessary not just at Homecoming but throughout the year. This must happen if we are to continue producing students who solve the world’s most complex problems.
Remember: We are the help that we need, and we are enough!
The remaining questions are noted below. I'll see you on the yard!
Tuskegee University hosted a call with alumni to prepare for Homecoming 101: The Renaissance. Here are a few FAQs to help clarify outstanding questions.
Everyone is welcome. The university is focused on ensuring students and alumni are able to enjoy Homecoming activities while following university protocols. The guidelines to visit campus have changed, but the university is accommodating all who would like to come. RV tailgating, school and department events, Young Alumni events, Reunion class events, bus shuttles, Vendor Village, and expanded stadium amenities are being planned for alums.
No. Tuskegee University has over 2,000 students in campus housing and another 1,200 students off campus. Given the faculty, staff, and students have permitted and paid parking, the inventory of public spaces can no longer accommodate thousands of vehicles.
On Friday, Oct 31, the university will provide free shuttle service to and from campus from Tuskegee Institute Middle School (TIMS) (currently the City of Tuskegee Police Department). Shuttles will run from 7 a.m. to 11:59 pm.
On gameday, Nov. 1, the university will provide shuttle service to and from campus from two paid gameday parking locations: Booker T. Washington High School and Tuskegee Institute Middle School. Details to purchase parking can be found here or on the website. The lots are all prepaid parking. Shuttles will run Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
No. Visitors will be allowed on campus on Friday. You will be allowed through the free shuttle from TIMS or the pedestrian gates. Approved vendors will be allowed on the Logan Hall lawn in a newly created space called Vendor Village.
Shuttle service on Friday is free and available at Tuskegee Institute Middle School (currently the City of Tuskegee Police Department).
ADA parking will be in two locations: Both paid lots (BTW and TIMS) will have two ADA-compliant buses that will take guests directly to the ticketing gates and TU golf carts are available post-ticketing to take you to your seats. ADA designated spaces in those lots are available (preferred and faster).
All university lots are paid. ADA parking is within the university’s paid parking lots.
University authorized golf carts will transport ADA visitors to their seats.
The venue is Cleve Abbott Stadium and for parking you can select either paid parking location (TIMS or BTW) and will be shuttled to Logan Hall.
Instructions for All Sports Pass holders have been sent via email. The team will resend instructions for securing your IDs and the location of All Sport Pass parking.
The university has issued an 11 p.m. end for all events to allow visitors and students an opportunity to enjoy the campus activities and return to shuttles and their vehicles safely. The shuttle will run until 11:59 p.m. to return guests to their cars.
The university has contracted additional support from some cell phone providers to improve cell service.
In short, yes, mobile wallets work without Internet access. Once a ticket is downloaded to a mobile device it is stored within the memory of the phone. We are encouraging all fans to download or print your ticket before arrival.
Yes.
As a general rule, Season Ticket holders will park in TIMS parking lot. Tailgaters will be contacted about guidelines for parking and stadium access to schedule drop-offs before parking in the TIMS parking lot. It’s important to follow the schedule timelines.
On Saturday, the city will block Old Montgomery Road from Franklin Road to Brimmer Hall. The ride share service will be able to drop you off at either of those locations.
The shuttle will run from 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Friday and from 11 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Saturday.
The university paid parking is not the entirety of parking options in the City of Tuskegee, just the most convenient. Please buy your parking pass early.
No. Parking on campus Friday and Saturday will be restricted to students, faculty and staff due to limited space availability. Shuttles and pedestrian gates will be open to alumni until 11 p.m. both days.
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