For students in Greek organizations, pomping is an activity that demands substantial time and energy. For the rest of MU, pomping is of little significance until the week of Homecoming and might even be a completely foreign word.
Pomping is the collaborative creation of a large, decorative display of tissue paper. The required materials include small pieces of tissue paper and a thin marker with red tape wrapped around the cap. The tape serves as a place marker for the tissue paper, which is then dipped in glue and placed through the board. The process is repeated until the board is complete.
Sororities and fraternities who are paired for Homecoming activities work together on the board, which is displayed outside of the sorority or fraternity house. Although the process can be tedious, students still enjoy the social aspect.
“I don’t mind pomping that much because we get to hang out with girls,” freshman Phi Gamma Delta pledge Brian Etling said.
Pomping is nothing new to MU, and Kappa Kappa Gamma alumna Donice Yeater remembers it as a “unique way to make and bond with your friends.”
“We would listen to music and pomp,” Yeater said. “It is a rather brainless activity, so it served as a nice break from school.”
Twenty-one years later, Yeater’s daughter has been preparing for Homecoming week and does not have as fond an opinion of pomping.
“I think it is a waste of time,” Kappa Alpha Theta sophomore Helen Yeater said. “I could be studying for my three tests I have next week instead.”
Although the required pomping hours vary by each sorority, the general weekly requirement is six to nine hours.
“I have only had about six required hours a week, until this week where I have 23 since Homecoming is so close,” Yeater said.
Despite the long hours, Homecoming at MU is a tradition students are proud of.
“Although I don’t really like the concept [of pomping], I really love being involved in the Homecoming tradition and can’t wait to see all of the houses decorated,” Yeater said.
_Edited by Emily Gallion | egallion@themaneater.com_
