The beautiful, tree-lined Boulevard is one of SMU’s many known aesthetically pleasing features. SMU’s grounds are always perfectly primped and primmed. From the moment anyone enters Bishop Boulevard, they are guaranteed to be overcome by the beauty and grace of the Boulevard’s cosmetics.

President R. Gerald Turner described it best when he said, “Life is too short to be an ugly campus!” This is true.

Combine this sentiment with the unique tailgating tradition that SMU calls “Boulevarding” and you have what makes game days on campus one of the best benefits of attending or visiting SMU.

SMU puts on a party and game day celebration unlike any other. From fans dressed in their Sunday’s best to alumni and food tents elaborately decorating the Boulevard, nobody does it better than the Red and the Blue.

However, during the days following the football festivities, those remaining on school grounds know to hold their noses. Empty beer cans, overflowing trashcans and litter scattered across campus cause many to say “pee-yew!”

Following the especially hyped the DFW Duel Battle for the Iron Skillet, which brought in a record Ford attendance of 35,481, SMU’s beloved Boulevard was left in ruins.  The classy campus was transformed into quite a trashy one to say the least. The beautiful Boulevard was unrecognizable; even the beloved fountains were polluted with waste.

Considering the increased game day attendance, the mess is slightly understandable; however, clean-up procedures after poster-plastered games such as this one should be taken into consideration far in advance.

While the art of “Boulevarding” is filled with fun and games, the aftermath is not. The SMU vs. TCU game fell on the same weekend as Family Weekend, a time when students are able to show off their lovely four –year humble abode to their parents. However, following Friday’s event, trash remained scattered across the lawn until Monday morning.

Those who purchase lawn space ought to clean up after themselves without being told to do so. If they are spirited enough to set up a tent, that same spirit should be reflected following the game by cleaning up the mess they’ve made celebrating.

The biggest trash dump left behind after the SMU vs. TCU game seemed to be at the top of the Boulevard, where alumni and Greek organizations gathered.

In efforts to keep our campus clean, the school and students should not take the SMU scenery for granted. Whether increased efforts are made to tidy up campus by maintenance, or one of SMU’s many school organizations pitches in to help, something must be done to return our campus to its original glamorous state.

Homecoming weekend is just three weeks away, and we as Mustangs should be able to guarantee that all in attendance experience SMU at its best, both before and after the game.

Whether you attend the football game or not, it is crucial that you show your Pony Pride by picking up after yourself and others.  Our elegant campus is worth showing off at all times, and it takes everyone to make to that possible.

Just a few added trash cans, recycling bins and pickup crews could be the solution to pollution. Pony Up!