Approximately 500 students are taking an off-term this fall, according to the Registrar. Homecoming is starts off with Dartmouth Night, an event introduced by former College President William Jewett Tucker in 1895 to promote class spirit and welcome the freshman class.
Kate Bradshaw '14, who is currently on an English foreign study program in Dublin, said her favorite event is the bonfire.
"I've especially loved seeing the shift that's happened over the past couple years as the crowds heckle less and cheer more for all the freshmen running around the fire," she said in an email.
Shannon Draeker '16, who is participating in the language study abroad program in Beijing, said she is upset that she will not be able to see the freshman class run.
"My favorite event from last year's Homecoming was the bonfire for the tradition of it and the sheer number of students who participated in it," Draeker said.
Dartmouth Night is just the first of many school-sponsored activities during Homecoming weekend. There will be well over 20 gatherings, including the Dartmouth versus Yale University football game.
Some students away this term expressed a sadness at not witnessing the traditional field rush during halftime.
Though Dartmouth traditions have remained important to students and alumni over generations, some current students who will miss Homecoming are not as affected.
Jill Horing '15, who is currently studying in Copenhagen, Denmark, said one weekend does not compare to how great an experience her study abroad has been.
"I'm a little sad to be missing it, but to be honest I hadn't give it much thought," Horing said. "Homecoming is a fun weekend to be at school, but then again so are most weekends. I think it is more important to some of the alumni and just an excuse for current students to party."
Bradshaw expressed a similar sentiment, saying that though she is nostalgic about missing the weekend's festivities, the opportunity to study abroad was worth missing one big weekend.
Nicholas Parillo '15, who is also on the English FSP, said that both Homecoming and study abroad programs are about meeting new friends and pushing the limits of one's comfort zone.
"In forcing me out of Hanover and into a small group of people I mostly didn't know previously, I think my FSP experience represents the spiritof Homecoming," he said.
Off-term students are not the only ones missing out on Homecoming.
Men and women's cross-country, soccer, golf and equestrian teams have off campus games over Homecoming weekend.
Jeffrey Lang'17, who is missing his first Homecoming to play in a golf tournament at Temple University, said missing Homecoming will be rough, especially after hearing stories from upperclassmen during trips.
"It's a huge bonding point for the class, so to miss it will make me feel slightly removed. Hopefully, I'll get a couple snapchats though to make me feel like I'm there," Lang said in an email. Corey Delaney'16, a member of the women's soccer team, will miss Friday and Saturday due to a game against Yale.
"I am upset that we are missing Homecoming because we are missing out on a Dartmouth tradition. We should be playing in front of our home crowd on Homecoming, especially with parents and alumni coming to Hanover," Delaney said. However, the majority of students will be present throughout Homecoming weekend to welcome the Class of 2017 and celebrate the return of the school year.
"Homecoming means a bonfire, football, lots of fun, lots of noise and a really tough Monday," Draeker said.
