More students from outside the greek community are getting involved in Homecoming this year as a result of organizers’ efforts to restructure events to increase student participation.

“We’re excited about the way we’ve restructured Homecoming to be inclusive of the whole Iowa State family,” said Erin McKeown, Homecoming committee general co-chairwoman. “The theme this year is ‘Cyclone Legacy,’ and we’re hoping we can offer people the chance to create their own Cyclone legacy through our events and activities.”

In addition to the traditional Cardinal Division, predominately composed of the greek community, there is now the Gold Division for students in the residence halls, campus organizations or groups of friends. Twelve groups are competing in at least one activity in the Gold Division, and five groups are competing in three or more events in an attempt to win the Gold Division overall.

“We created the Gold Division to cater to those students who want to participate in a less competitive atmosphere than the Cardinal Division,” said Cindy Johnson, Homecoming committee student involvement co-chairwoman.

Twelve residence hall houses decorated den windows this weekend and several campus organizations painted store windows or part of Victory Lane. Other groups are participating in community service, tournaments and improvisational Yell Like Hell.

“It’s the 92nd year we have celebrated Homecoming,” said Claire Masker, Homecoming committee public relations co-chairwoman. “We think we’ve planned great events for everyone to participate in. You can get as involved as you want or just enjoy the free food on campus.”

Last year, free food on Central Campus fed more than 1,000 students each day even though it rained. This year, food will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. All students must purchase a $2 Homecoming button to partake in the food, which includes nachos, pizza, subs, walking tacos and hamburgers. Buttons will be sold each day on Central Campus and at all events.

Another new event this year is the residence hall barbecue Monday in the Richardson Court Association courtyard from 4:30 to 6:45 p.m. A band consisting of members of the Farmhouse fraternity, Fraught, will play and there will be prizes. Oak-Elm and Maple-Willow-Larch dining centers will be closed Monday for dinner to boost barbecue attendance. Students can pay with cash, dining dollars or a meal plan.

“This was our original idea to find a way to get people in the residence halls interested in Homecoming,” Johnson said. “People weren’t participating because they didn’t know what it was about or how to get involved. We are hoping that since it is on Monday before a lot of events, people will get involved and attend events later in the week.”

Each day groups in the Cardinal and Gold Divisions will participate in Blitz Build, in which students are teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to build a house.

New this year is the entertainment Thursday night. Comedian Kivi Rogers will perform a stand-up routine in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union at 7 p.m. Singer, songwriter and keyboard player Rachael Yamagata will perform at the Maintenance Shop from 8 to 10 p.m.

“Friday is the big day we’re really excited about,” McKeown said.

Wear Red, Get Fed is also new this year. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, anyone wearing red can get free food at the Memorial Union Terrace. At 4 p.m., there will be a live band. Refreshments will be served. At 6 p.m., the Pep Rally begins south of the Campanile.

“This year, we really wanted to have activities to get everyone involved in Homecoming — the students, community, faculty and alumni,” said Megan Brown, Homecoming committee campus activities co-chairwoman. “We have events suitable for everyone, especially with the creation of the Gold Division.”