This Friday, hordes of families will descend upon the Hill for the 2013 Family Weekend. To disperse large crowds and allow students to better enjoy the event, Syracuse University should host two separate Family Weekends next fall.

Family Weekend is beneficial for students. It offers a time for parents to visit their kids and attend a multitude of events. For example, the SU football game against Wake Forest University will be held in the Carrier Dome on Saturday. There are also programs specific to home colleges and events in downtown Syracuse.

The weekend also benefits the university and local businesses. The parents who attend Family Weekend often want to see a football game. This only drives more people toward the game and therefore boosts revenue for the university and SU Athletics.

Local businesses, like the ones on Marshall Street, also cater to families by offering various eateries and apparel shops. The Sheraton University Hotel and Conference Center benefits from the influx of reservations as families look to stay close to campus.

However, Family Weekend is often chaotic and overwhelming with so many visitors packed into one weekend. If the university provided two Family Weekend options, overcrowding would be reduced.

Two options would benefit students and families. Though parents can visit any time during the semester, but Family Weekend is particularly significant because of the events catered to families. Additionally, having two dates would provide another opportunity for parents who may not be able to attend one of the events.

If both Family Weekends coincide with football games, it could draw more crowds to the Carrier Dome, the university and its surrounding businesses during two separate weekends.

Family Weekend is not only relevant to freshmen struggling to adjust to SU, but also to upperclassmen who need a break from the daily pressure of college.

More options are needed for students to see their families. After all, families provide a special kind of relief that is hard to come by on a college campus.

Published on October 31, 2013 at 2:00 am

Contact: opinion@dailyorange.com