Some of you are keenly aware of my attempt to create #GreenandGoldFridays at USF. I tweet about it. I share it with other staff members. I pass it along to students. I wear Green and Gold on Fridays. And yes, I disparage people who don’t.

Why does #GreenandGoldFridays matter? It all starts with the three Cs: Community, Connectedness, and Climate.

Community I had the experience recently of applying for jobs at two large research-1 schools in the area. One of the things that struck me at both institution was the amount of school-specific swag that the interviewers wore. It wasn’t uniform. They didn’t have the same shirt on. In fact, there were different versions of the shirts with variations of the school’s’ name on them.

On campus, as I walked from venue to venue, I experienced the same thing. Students wore swag head to toe. They were not many opposing school shirts to be seen. Back on campus, and needless to say, I did not get either job, and I’m completely okay with that, I see not only a smattering of USF gear, I see our competing schools’ gear. THIS IS NOT OKAY! I know your best friend goes to that school and she hooked you up with the shirt, but still.

Community means that we share things in common – knowledge base, a sense of place, or a love of the same aspects. Pride in one’s school is a powerful thing – and seeing someone else with those same letters emblazoned on a shirt is like a secret handshake. I know what’s up with that school, you say to each other when making eye contact, and it’s nice to know you’re down with that school too.

Connectedness Similar to community – have you ever wore any USF gear somewhere and someone stopped you and asked about your relationship to USF? It happens to me all the time. No matter where I am – airport, different cities/countries, just walking down the street – someone will stop me and ask me about USF.

Showing your letters, like any greek organization, implies that you have shared knowledge. I won’t even begin to tell you about how many times people say, “You went to USF? Do you know so-and-so?” Alumni are the best – “What’s new on campus?” Parents are fun too – “My kid goes there!” I don’t mind engaging in those conversations because between the two of us, we’re connected in a way that only USF can bring people together.

See, how fetching these young folks are in Green and gold. Photo courtesy of @shawncalhoun

Don’t get me starting on people who say “University of Southern Florida?” No one ever does. Just sayin.

Climate Ever walk into a room and everyone is dressed in a particular manner…and you’re not? Imagine the power of being one of those folks who is dressed similarly. Now, I’m not saying we must all conform and wear the same thing every day (oh, fashion divas, wipe the sweat from your brows). What I’m saying is that it feels good to be part of the in crowd, even when the crowd isn’t even “your” crowd.

Pride matters. It makes you feel like a part of something bigger. Students athletes, at events away from home, I’m sure are, keenly aware of the Green and Gold in the stands. The seats in Memorial Gym are green, but once the seats are filled, the shirts tell the story. Why don’t we wear Green and Gold on game days? Because it’s not part of our culture. So I’m proposing to change that. Immediately.

Creating #GreenandGoldFridays So this is how I want this to roll. Every Friday. All throughout the year. Every Don – and that means Faculty, Staff, Students, and yes, even Administration. Wear something Green and Gold. You don’t need to floss that cute sweatshirt you bought downstairs in the bookstore. A green shirt? Check. A green and gold tie? Check. Something that says USF? Extra credit. Wear a department shirt. Wear your campus org shirt. Something, anything, that shows your Green and Gold.

That’s all it will take. But more importantly, know that your USF Green and Gold is more than just school spirit. It’s about creating a shared identity and a fostering a school tradition. It’s about showing support for your school, and when you’re out in the wild off campus, you’re showing off your pride in your school. Just floss that gear. Let people know you love your school, and that every day is #GreenandGoldFriday.

Charlene