Our campus is in need of tradition. It’s the one thing our campus community can agree upon. Our University is lacking in that department, but another concern which has been nagging me is Halloween. The question that’s been persistently asked as the holiday approaches is, “What are you doing for Halloween, Matt?” and to be honest, I was perplexed until I got a Facebook invitation for the Halloween Hike on Hillsborough. At first, I unconsciously blew it off thinking it would be another failed attempt to make history, until I realized how it could impact the University and the town.

The Halloween Hike on Hillsborough could change our campus for one night and leave in it a wake of tradition for years to come. It could be an experience where students could share their favorite characters with one another and celebrate together. It would be no mere tailgate but the gathering of an entire campus, where we could let our personalities reflect our childhood love of Halloween and our youth could be given an outlet to run rampant through Wolfpack territory.

Hillsborough Street is pleading for use, once a semester is not often enough. Convenience is one of the best qualities it has to offer. There is no traffic stretching far beyond the exits, the dorms practically overlook it and campus is only a brisk pace away.

It has a variety of bars, shops and places of entertainment just begging to be taken advantage of.

We should take the reins and give the local establishments on Hillsborough our always needed business. Support them because their loyalty to us and our University has never strayed.

Most importantly it also offers our school the chance to stick-it to our rival, which is enough reason for most. If we created an event in lieu of theirs, a tradition that’s made almost in spite of theirs, it would burn them as long as it lasted. The cherry topping the sundae, if you will.

We must stop being content with commuting over to our rival’s place of partying and work to build our own celebration — the work is as easy as showing up in costume and having a good time. I hope most of us can get that right (I probably can’t).

Our student body walks to its individual beat, keeping to itself and putting its personalities in reserve in place of work ethic and goal oriented agendas. Our time is overworked on assignments and studying. We rarely get a chance to create something, let alone stick to it, but the Hillsborough Halloween Hike could set a precedence for a University-wide celebration on Oct. 31.

The power is in our hands to create a tradition, shame our rivals and bask in the festivities as one. Help our student body leave a mark for the school we love, and above all else enjoy your Halloween on Hillsborough Street. If you see a stumbling guy wear a “World’s Best Designated Driver” T-shirt as his costume, then raise a glass. I’ll raise mine back and so will everyone else.

Are you going to stick it to our rivals and stay on Hillsborough Street on Halloween? Let us know at viewpoint@technicianonline.com.