Staff Writer

Several buildings around campus will get a temporary facelift this week as the residence hall residents prepare for Homecoming with a decorating contest, sponsored by the department of residential life.

David Smith, area coordinator of residential life, said resident assistants and their residents had two options to choose from when designing their decorating theme.

They could either follow the Homecoming theme, which is "Gotta Love It," or come up with their own.

The residents of Pearce Residence Hall chose "Crush the Wolf Pack" as their theme.

Lydia Cranford, Pearce Residence Hall director and a senior elementary education major, said they used several different things to flesh out their theme.

"We usually decorate the lounge windows," Cranford said. "One of our big decorations is a bulldog crushing a six-pack [of cans]."

Hutcheson Residence Hall is going with the campus-wide theme, but is also developing their own.

"We are still going with the red and blue colors, but we are also mixing in a patriotic theme," Kris Gililland, Hutcheson Residence Hall director and a senior mechanical engineering major, said. "Our decorations resemble a flag."

Cranford said she thought it was important to take part in the contest.

"Participating shows our school spirit," Cranford said. "It shows that not only do fraternities and sororities have school spirit, but the residents do as well."

Gililland said he agreed decorating expresses pride in the university.

"We always encourage our residents to get involved because it shows school spirit and that we care."

Smith said the winner of the contest will depend on who works the hardest.

"We encourage all students to get involved," Smith said. "How much work they put into it is how much they will get out of it."

While the halls may be decorated completely, only the outside of the buildings will be judged in the contest.

The housing staff will choose the winner of the contest Friday.