Homecoming Weekend is awesome — in theory. The idea of meeting Binghamton University graduates who are more used to calling the school SUNY-B or Harpur College is great. In execution, however, the event falls short.

This weekend’s festivities were disappointing. And while us students had a blast drinking beer and hanging out at the tailgate, there weren’t too many alumni to be seen hanging out in the West Gym parking lot.

When looking at alumni gatherings at other universities, ours is laughable by comparison. At Princeton University, nearly 25,000 people — made up of alumni and their families — show up to Reunions Weekend. There, they participate in parties and lunches, volunteer projects and a parade. Look, we know that BU isn’t Princeton — we aren’t even suggesting that we can be — but the fact of the matter still stands that Princeton has created an event that people want to go to. At a more comparable school, such as the University of Delaware, there are events specifically for the children of alumni, as well as a 5K and a huge party called the Dela-bration.

What we’re trying to say is this: if BU wants to drum up alumni support and — in turn — get alumni to donate money, it has to throw a party that they won’t want to miss. By bringing graduates back to their alma mater for a weekend of fun, they will feel like a part of the University again. And if the green and white is flowing through their veins, their money will flow into BU’s coffers.

Most of the Editorial Board members are seniors. The way things go now is that the graduating class returns the following fall to see their friends still at the University, and then don’t come back until their 25th anniversary — if they feel so compelled. If the University and the Alumni Association could make Homecoming Weekend a bigger draw, we would all pay a little more attention to that Homecoming invitation in our email.

Do whatever you have to do, BU. Hire a party planner, buy all the kegs at Beer Depot on Main Street, have Baxter barbecue more burgers — make this the biggest party of the year. Sure, alumni care about the University’s expansion and our national ranking, but alumni also care about having a good time. They want to relax, party and re-live their college days.

BU has a large, thriving alumni base. The University can’t let them get away.