Spring Week at ISU returns to something like a normal tradition

The Greek pairing Alpha Phi and Sigma Phi Epsilon pose before their Spring Sing performance on April 6, outside of the Alpha Phi pod in Reeve Hall at Indiana State University.

The first notes of Soulja Boy’s “Crank That,” pumped through the speakers at Hulman Center on April 6, and dozens of ISU students wearing their Greek letters hopped onto the stage set up on the basketball court.

Onstage, they danced between team performances to get the Spring Sing crowd hyped. The mood was lively, carefree, and mask-free after two years of virtual meetings and social distancing.

The crowd dances along with phone lights waving during the Spring Sing performances on April 6. Photo still of video by Indiana State University at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpi0D8ggoPE

Kevon Christian, advisee of the student Union Board which sponsors the event, has overseen the committee for the past eight years.

He said the past few years have been a major challenge.

“In Spring 2021, there were a lot of strict guidelines to follow. Although I faced some challenges, my group and I were able to still do whatever we could for our students to still participate. This spring, it was a lot easier to move past COVID-19 and bring Spring Week back to life,” Christian said.

Sycamores came together to compete in the traditional lip syncing contest, Spring Sing, to celebrate Spring Week, which includes the lip syncing contest, a race of co-ed pairs on tandem bikes, a blood drive, and a community service project.

Spring 2021 would have been the 50th anniversary of Spring Week at Indiana State. Due to COVID-19, Spring Week events were revamped to comply with the strict health guidelines the university imposed. Spring Sing was optional, and it consisted of individual groups creating a dance that required masks, 6-feet blocking, and a recording of the performance instead in-person with a live audience.

This year’s Spring Sing was a return to normal. No masks were required, groups were allowed to choreograph dances that did not interfere with social distancing, and lip syncing was optional and worth bonus points instead of being required.

Not only do Greek members participate in Spring Week, but other campus organizations including Residence Hall Association, First Class, Blue House, Sycamore Spirit Squad, and other groups play a huge role in the campus culture.

“As a whole, it has been hard getting students to participate in things again,” Christian said. “I hope moving forward we can see more people participate in our Spring Week events, especially non-Greek affiliated members.”