Correction: Suzanne Phillips’ name has been updated so that her name is spelled correctly in this article. In a previous version, her name was incorrectly spelled ‘Suzane.’

Oregon State University leaders welcome students and alumni to register for the fifth annual multicultural alumni and friends tailgater taking place on Oct. 23 outside the Centro Cultural César Chávez.

Homecoming weekend events will commence Oct. 20 before OSU and the University of Utah kick-off at Reser Stadium on Oct. 23. 

The annual multicultural tailgater is hosted by the OSU Alumni Association, College of Liberal Arts, Educational Opportunities Program, Diversity and Cultural Engagement Office and the Office of Institutional Diversity.

The OSU Foundation and OSUAA value and celebrate every member of the university community and are excited to gather in person over Homecoming weekend with alumni and friends who identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Color before the big game.

Registration is strongly encouraged by the OSU Foundation but it closes Thursday, Oct. 21 at 9:59 PT. The event includes food and beverages for purchase. Guests over 21 years old will receive one free drink ticket.

Individuals interested in attending can register and learn more about the details on the event website. 

Director of Alumni Diversity and Affinity Groups Suzanne Phillips said everyone will gather two hours before kick-off to give campus updates, build community, reconnect and celebrate getting together in person. 

“We have yard games like large Jenga and Connect Four,” Phillips said. “We also have a DJ who will have some music going so we can build an atmosphere of fun and dancing and community. We’re just trying to offer a variety of activities that [will bring] the community back together in a fun and social atmosphere for a moment before we go to the stadium and cheer on the Beavers.”

For Phillips, gathering together in person is nothing short of exciting as last year’s event was canceled due to the pandemic. 

Still, event coordinators are being cautious to make sure people are comfortable attending the outdoor event as COVID-19 continues to cause anxiety for some who attend social events.

“In future years we will see some changes, but we understand people aren’t always going to be super thrilled to get together in large groups, so while we anticipate a good number of people, we also know that the size is going to be different than it was in the past,” Phillips said.

Phillips’s team wanted to take the leap and do an in-person event this year. They are looking towards the future for more opportunities to bring people together.

The fifth annual multicultural alumni and friends tailgater is a newer event and therefore less well-known by the OSU community, but leaders are hoping to spread the word and bring as many individuals as possible out.

“The main idea regarding this event is to create the opportunity and to truly reconnect with each other,” Phillips said. “We want it to be known that it is a space that has been intentionally created and built for various communities so we welcome one and all.”