Commission supports Howard University’s transportation plan for homecoming

Andrew Rivers, Howard University’s director of university events and protocol, speaks at the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B meeting on Oct. 4. Rivers explained Howard’s homecoming transportation plan to the commissioners and community members.

By Delpha Carpenter

WASHINGTON – A local neighborhood commission approved Howard University’s transportation plan for its upcoming homecoming and will send a letter of support to the mayor’s office.

Commissioners and community members of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B were provided with an overview and map of Howard’s homecoming events, as well as the proposed parade route at the Oct. 4 meeting. After approving the plan, commissioners commended Howard for including the greater community in homecoming, which will run Oct. 20-28.

“When you think about traditional homecomings for universities, they’re very student-focused,” said Joshua R. Mater, the commissioner for 1B08. “The one really nice thing about Howard’s though, is that while it’s still heavily focused on the students and faculty, they do an excellent job of bringing in the community.”

Howard prides itself on its community involvement and uses homecoming to bridge gaps between the university and its neighborhood. Andrew Rivers, the director of university events and protocol at Howard, also emphasized this community aspect and invited meeting attendees to the homecoming festivities.

“Howard is right in the community. Most would consider it an urban school, but I would consider it a community school,” said Rivers. “(Howard) ensures and focuses on showing that its contributions are benefitting and moving the community forward.”

Rivers was the first community member to present at the meeting and he answered questions from commissioners and community members.

“(Howard is) coming before us for a letter of support because they have to apply for a special permit for the parade route and everything else from the mayor’s office,” said Mater. “So the letter of support from the ANC goes a long way in greasing the skids.”

Prior to the meeting, Rivers met with the commission’s Transportation Review Committee to get feedback on Howard’s homecoming transportation plan. The committee consists of community members who discuss proposals, meet with constituents and make suggestions to the commissioners.

According to Nicole Cacozza, the commissioner for 1B10, residents living near Howard have been disgruntled with street and parking closures during past events. But Cacozza said there has been minimal pushback against homecoming because community members recognize its significance for the university.

“In their plan, Howard did a good job laying out logistically how they’re going to approach homecoming and make sure ... there’s an adequate public safety presence,” said Cacozza. “As long as Howard is able to show that, we can support these events like homecoming that mean so much to the community.”

Now that the plan has the commission’s approval, the commission will send a letter of support to Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office, which is in charge of issuing the final permit. Rivers does not anticipate any issues from the office but said getting homecoming week approved is “a tedious and long process.”

Nonetheless, both Rivers and the community are looking forward to the upcoming event.

“I’ve been [in Washington] for six years and every year that they’ve had it, I’ve been traveling,” said Mater about homecoming. “I haven’t been able to go but hopefully this year!”