Texas Southern University has announced that it will end all Homecoming activities this year at 7 p.m. The decision, brought on because of “safety concerns,” has sparked frustration and backlash from alumni who say the abrupt curfew threatens to dim the spirit of one of Houston’s most celebrated HBCU traditions.
TSU President James Crawford announced the new restriction this week, citing safety concerns after two recent shootings at Jackson State and Alcorn in Mississippi, both connected to homecoming celebrations. One person was killed and several others injured. Crawford said national trends show that earlier closures can help prevent incidents that could jeopardize community well-being.
“Every fall, institutions of higher education across the country invite their own to come home,” Crawford said in a statement. “HBCU homecomings are well-known for celebration, pageantry and enduring hope for continued growth, progress and accomplishment. But we must remain vigilant to maintain this history and this joyous occasion.”
Crawford said the decision came “after careful personal discernment and consultation with the TSU Department of Public Safety,” adding that “evaluation of national trends and local data indicates that early closure is an effective deterrent to incidents that could compromise celebration and safety.”
The president said all campus homecoming activities on Saturday, October 18, 2025, including tailgating, will end at 7 p.m. “It is my charge to host annual homecomings that bring generations of Tigers together for years to come,” Crawford said. “No unwarranted incident can be allowed to jeopardize the ability of the University to do so.”
While the university maintains that the decision prioritizes safety, many alumni argue that the early cutoff demonstrates a lack of consideration for the community that supports and funds the event.
“Unless there is some imminent threat, this was the easy way out.”
Andrea Odom
Lifetime alumni member Andrea Odom called the move “the easy way out.”
“Instead of running in fear and shutting it down, add officers and give safety plans and protocols,” Odom said. “They had already shortened it to end at nine. Vendors have paid upwards of $750 per space to be there all day and evening, and people have also paid for tailgate spaces. This decision comes after financial investments have already been made. Unless there is some imminent threat, this was the easy way out.”
Odom said she was also frustrated that comments were disabled on TSU’s official social media posts about the change.
“They don’t want to hear from the people at all,” she said, adding that this will be the first homecoming she’s ever missed. “Zero consideration for those who make plans and spend money to be there.”
One of those frustrated over expenses is Ally Jackson, who was coming from Dallas along with her sorority sisters from the Delta Gamma chapter of Delta Sigma Theta at TSU.
“We look forward each year to coming home and celebrating with our Chapter Sorors, past and present,” Jackson said. “Our chapter has spent months planning a memorable tailgate, and receiving such short notice forces us to change everything — from vendors to catering to group photos. It’s truly unfair to face this disruption after months of dedication and preparation.”
Alumna Suzanne Mari questioned the logistics of enforcing the early closure.
“I wonder how they plan on making everyone leave by seven when people have spent their money and flown in,” she said. “The concert usually doesn’t even start until seven-thirtyish. This is not a good look and will probably be much worse than if they just got more security.”
Jarrod Rector, owner of Stuff’d Wings, a beloved small business in Houston’s Midtown/Third Ward, was eagerly anticipating a boost in sales following a slow season and a recent rebrand timed with their grand re-opening on the weekend of November 1st.
“I appreciate the concern for community safety and the excitement of everyone returning home to celebrate the TSU Legacy,” Rector shared. “But shutting things down early disrupts the nightly concert, hurts food vendors who’ve already paid upwards of $750 in fees, staff and inventory and prevents tailgaters from staying through the hours they agreed to when purchasing their spots. It’s a setback for small businesses like ours who rely on these moments to reconnect with customers and drive business.”
Other alumni expressed mixed emotions, saying they understood the safety concerns but feared the move would change the atmosphere of the event.
Longtime attendee Eric Lockett said the decision reflects a broader cycle affecting Black cultural gatherings.
“It’s like anything else with social activities with us,” Lockett said on social media. “The event blows up and becomes super popular, then others come who don’t know how to act and next thing you know, they shoot up the place. Then you have to decide if you want to go because it’s not the same event anymore. It’s the life cycle of all Black entertainment activities—from Freaknik to Kappa Beach Party. The question is, how can you differentiate between college kids and alumni versus cousin Pookie and them?”
Adding to the concern are reports of potential outside agitators targeting HBCUs this fall. A campaign called the “Educate to Liberate Tour,” backed by conservative group Turning Point USA and its BLEXIT initiative, is planning stops at several historically Black colleges during homecoming season. Critics have described the tour as a politically charged effort to provoke controversy under the guise of “dialogue and free thought.”
“Crawford is a Navy guy so he understands operational risk very well. However, as a leader he is making a decision based on what his staff is presenting him,” said alum Micheal Hollins. “As a safety professional, I don’t mind the move as long as the data supports the decision. If they are being proactive with predictive modeling it still doesn’t add up. Most incidents occur between 9 and midnight at college campuses. I would be okay with an 8 pm closure with everything being cleared out by 9. The proposed time is extremely conservative.”
Crawford said TSU remains committed to preserving the “spirit of homecoming” while ensuring safety for all who attend.
“The University is working closely with students, alumni and event organizers to ensure the spirit of homecoming remains vibrant,” he said. “Music, fellowship and Tiger pride will continue to thrive within a schedule that prioritizes community well-being.”
Still, many Tigers say the new policy feels like an overcorrection.
“The students and alumni need to use their voices on this one,” Odom said. “Take a stand against this. We are the ones who built this legacy.”
