In an effort to cut down on the length and time of Penn State's Homecoming parade, the Homecoming Committee has determined to limit each student group to 20 walkers and one vehicle, no matter the size of the participating organization.

There is no doubt that the parade is long and in frigid fall weather, the parade seems extra long to those watching from the sidelines. So, making the parade shorter will definitely be a popular move, but the Homecoming Committee's method to cut down on length is flawed.

To cut down on the time of the parade, businesses and non-State College organizations such as high school marching bands from the surrounding areas will not participate in the parade.

Ironically the Penn State Alumni Association, which has complained about the length of the parade in past years, will have more chapters in the parade. If the university and Homecoming Committee want to decrease the time of the parade, then supplementing non-Penn State groups with additional alumni groups does not solve the problem.

The committee will register greek and alumni groups separately from their governing bodies, specifically the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council and the Alumni Association. But shouldn't all of the greek groups and alumni chapters be part of the larger organization? Why isn't the Alumni Association held to the same standards as student groups?

Homecoming Overall Kristin Smead said the focus of Homecoming is the alumni, and that the committee does not want to take away from that.

With all due respect to the alumni, many of whom give money that funds scholarships and university programs, they've had their four years to celebrate and participate in Penn State's Homecoming celebration. This is our time and as many students as possible should be able to participate in the festivities.

Cutting down on the number of participants from student groups by limiting each group to 20 walkers does not promote heavy student involvement. Many students look forward to Homecoming festivities each year, and now some will be forced to watch from the sidelines because of the new rules.

Furthermore, how is it fair to simply create a limit of 20 participants per group? Some groups have less than 20 students total, while other groups have hundreds of members. Why not make it a percentage instead of a flat number?

In another attempt to shorten the length, the committee has also decided to cut a block off of the parade route. If the committee wants to shorten the parade, then they should. However shortening the parade by one block and adding more alumni will not solve the problem.