Each year, Homecoming floods the campus with old people and free stuff, the latter being a little more exciting. And OK, we’ll admit: Some of us went to Homecoming events mostly–alright, only–because they advertised free food, free entertainment…or somehow used the word free in conjunction with a noun. But with this week’s unimpressive turnout, we’ve been left to question the philosophy which generally guides our Homecoming experience: Whether the pursuit of the free stuff is worth it anymore.

First, the Sushi Social at Alumni House on Tuesday. Boasting both sushi and socializing, but delivering neither. OK, so we got there 40 minutes late because we had class, but this was no excuse for the decimated trays and the awkward remnants of mingling that ensued. The fallout from a sushi war, the dismembered and indistinguishable remains of fish parts didn’t resemble even a distant relative of sushi and the five or so people in a cluster in the corner didn’t quite constitute socializing. It looked like everyone else had the same reaction to free eats: get in, feign interest, get sushi, get out.

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Yep, it’s that special time of year that’s like every other special time of year—Homecoming is back! (Though we could have gone with midterm season.) Berkeley has a Homecoming you can take pride in: Unlike other campus festivities like Caltopia, you can get lots of free things during Homecoming.

And unlike Cal Day, there will be tons of lectures by Berkeley professors that will make even the most balanced jack of all trades feel inadequate. And unlike the Big Game, read more »

The Homecoming special issue came out today, and if you missed it, you can still check out three of the stories. Former Clogger Gerald “Gerlad” Nicdao coedited the issue. (Yes, we still miss you.)

Current Clogger Krista Lane also contributed to the issue, writing a column about what Homecoming means to her (or more like what it doesn’t mean).

If you missed the issue, you can still fetch one tomorrow at the Daily Cal office, located on the 6th floor of Eshleman Hall.

The Clog recommends poring through:
1. Krista’s column, hello!
2. In Good Company, a mishmash of bios of fictional Berkeley alumni
3. Coming Attractions, a smattering of to-do’s on the back

Not Your Typical Homecoming [Daily Cal]
In Good Company [Daily Cal]