Families visiting Ball State University for Family Weekend may be staying in hotels in other towns, as many local establishments are already booked.
Family Weekend moved to Sept. 22 to 24, the same weekend as the Jewish New Year Rosh Hashana and a James Dean festival in nearby Fairmont, causing a lack of hotel rooms in Gas City and Muncie.
An annual event on the Ball State campus, Family Weekend traditionally has been held in November. According to the Campus Programs Web site, the date is based on the football schedule and other fall events.
There are six home football games in this year's schedule. The first game was Thursday night and was too early for Family Weekend, the Ball State vs. Indiana game on Sept. 9 has high attendance without help from Family Weekend visitors. Sept. 30 is Cardinal Varsity Club Day, Homecoming is Oct. 21 and both generate alumni and student interest. The last home game of the year is the day after Thanksgiving, resulting in low student and family attendance.
Sue Waples, General Manager of Muncie Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites, said that full hotels in the area can be discouraging to families coming to visit students and campus,
"Well, obviously it's not good for us," Waples said. "We lose out on another full weekend of revenue because the two are combined. I'd like to see the two coordinate it better,"
The L.A. Pittenger Student Center Hotel could have been an option for overnight stay, if the reservation were made months ago. The Pittenger Hotel has been booked solid since the start of summer, desk staff said.
Other hotels with zero vacancy on Family Weekend are America's Best Value Inn, Bestway Inn, Hilltop Motel, Lees Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express-Gas City, Best Western- Gas City.
Families can stay with students in their residence hall rooms, depending on the particular hall rules. Most halls limit overnight guests to staying three consecutive days.
Hillel, the Jewish student organization, has taken action to make sure that Jewish families still feel welcome to attend Family Weekend on Rosh Hashana.
"We've talked about it because it is a concern," Ben Goldenberg, Hillel secretary, said. "This holiday is similar to Easter and Christmas. People generally go to church on those days and people were concerned because they go to temple on these days,"
Temple Beth El is allowing students and their families to attend services while still participating in Family Weekend activities, Goldenberg said. Ball State is sending letters to any student's parents who are interested, Goldenberg said.
"If anyone would like more information contact Hillel." Goldenberg said. "We encourage anyone to give [Ball State] their home address, and Ball State will send a letter home to explain their oversight and what is being done to fix it."
Despite the conflicts, students are encouraged to have fun and enjoy all the things Family Weekend has to offer. According to the Family Weekend Web site, activities on Friday include a Gretchen Wilson concert at 7:30 p.m at Emens. Afterward, University Program Board's Friday Night Filmworks will show "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" in Pruis Hall at 9:30 p.m.
On Saturday, there will be activities specific to a student's interest or major. Aditionally, there will be museum tours, department open houses, nature walks, booths, performances and the Cardinals vs. North Dakota State football game.
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