Co-sponsored by the Undergraduate Student Association, Office of Student Life and Office of Alumni Relations, this year's Homecoming and Parents Weekend events include an Academic Convocation; a carnival on the South Campus; faculty presentations and tours; "Midnight Madness," the first official NCAA practice for the Bulls and Royals basketball teams; a tent party in a heated tent and, of course, the Big Game as the Bulls face the University of Massachusetts in UB Stadium.

The celebration begins Friday, Oct. 13 with the Academic Convocation, honoring UB faculty appointed to distinguished ranks during the 1994-95 academic year and the 1995 SUNY Chancellor's Award recipients. SUNY Chancellor Thomas Bartlett will assist UB President William Greiner and Provost Thomas Headrick in the presentation of awards. The Convocation will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Mainstage.

The Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner (see related story) and J. Warren Perry Lecture also will be held Oct. 13 Sponsored by the School of Health Related Professions, the Perry Lecture will feature Steven N. Blair, director of research, epidemiology and clinical applications at The Cooper Institute of Aerobics Research in Dallas. Blair will discuss "Physical Activity and Fitness: Contributions to Long Life and High Function" at 6 p.m. Oct. 13 in the Katharine Cornell Theatre on UB's North Campus.

The Undergraduate Student Association will sponsor a series of Spirit Week events including a carnival, pep rally and bonfire from 6-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13 on UB's South Campus. (Note: Goodyear Road between Goodyear Loop and Pritchard Hall will be closed from 6 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13 to 6 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 to accommodate the carnival.)

Learn more about the university's 150-year history through William Johnson's "UB's History in Pictures" at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 in the Student Union Theater. Or get a peek into UB's fine academic facilities. Tours will include the Center for the Arts, The Center for Excellence for Document Analysis and Recognition (CEDAR) and a demonstration of the Fisk Organ. For information and a complete schedule of tours and lectures that will be held as part of Homecoming and Parents Weekend, call the Office of Student Life at 645-6125.

Bigtime football is back at UB as Coach Craig Cirbus and the Bulls take on the University of Massachusetts Minutemen at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 in UB Stadium. Tickets are $5 and $7 in advance (free to UB students) and $12 at the gate; for ticket information, call 645-6666. Halftime events will include announcement of the Homecoming King and Queen and Spirit Week winners.

The game will be preceded by "Norton North," a tent party featuring a colossal heated tent across from UB Stadium where alumni, parents, students and all UB football fans can gather for lunch and entertainment by Alpha Delta Nik, a theme band spin-off of the internationally acclaimed party band Nik and the Nice Guys. The tent party will include pizza, wings and all-you-can-drink beer and soft drinks. Proper identification and reservations are required. Tickets are $8 and $10, and available by calling 829-2608.

Top off the weekend in the Alumni Arena Main Gym with a performance by the Smothers Brothers, and featuring an appearance by the Yo-Yo Man. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $10 in advance and $14 at the door. For ticket information, call 829-2608.

And finally, kick off of the 1995-96 basketball season at "Midnight Madness," the first official NCAA practice for the Bulls and Royals. Sponsored by the Division of Athletics, the basketball season begins at 11 p.m. Oct. 14 in the Alumni Arena Main Gym, and will feature special promotions and festivities. The event is free and open to the public.