Students planned Kansas University’s homecoming events this year for the first time, and organizers hope to make next week’s festivities more visible than in the past.

The week, which ends in Saturday’s football game against Colorado, includes new activities and a pre-game parade.

“People need to take pride in their school and be excited to be here,” said Genevieve Gordon, a Wichita junior and homecoming co-director. “Everyone should be excited to be a Jayhawk.”

The biggest change this year will be the parade, which will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday instead of 2 p.m. Friday. It will run along Jayhawk Boulevard.

“Saturday makes it so more people can attend,” Gordon said. “No one was able to get out of classes to see it.”

The students also scheduled a pep rally from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the south end of Memorial Stadium. Coach Mark Mangino, football players, spirit squad and Crimson Girls will attend.

Organizers also tried to get more involvement from faculty, staff and the community. First-graders at Lawrence Catholic Schools drew Jayhawks to be displayed in the Kansas Union, and KU offices will sponsor a decorating contest.

Richard Johnson, dean of students, said students still were considering adding homecoming royalty to the festivities in upcoming years. Such a move, he said, could give homecoming a more traditional feel.

“I’m going to let the students decide that,” he said.

Other events planned next week include:

“Jog for Jubilee,” a 5K run/walk, 8 a.m. Sunday in the Burge Union parking lot. It will raise money for Jubilee Cafe, a breakfast program for the poor.

“Chalk ‘n’ Rock” sidewalk chalking contest, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Wescoe Beach.

Jayhawk Spirit Sing, 9:30 p.m. Friday at Allen Fieldhouse.