Scarlet Guard creates ties between students, university with ‘The Cornhusker Compass’

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is proud of its alumni and all their accomplishments.

The Scarlet Guard is working on fostering ties with UNL while students are still on campus.

The Scarlet Guard is open to all students, including those working on graduate degrees.

"Our mission is to engage with students on campus so they have lasting relationships with the university and (other) students," said Kori Underwood, a senior psychology major, at an Association of Students of the University of Nebraska meeting Oct. 7.

One of the ways the Scarlet Guard is trying to create ties between the students and the university is through "The Cornhusker Compass."

These are books where students may put photographs of themselves and friends at events such as Husker football games or performances at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.

"It gives you the full Husker experience," said Jenny Green, assistant program director of the Nebraska Alumni Association, at the ASUN meeting.

"The Cornhusker Compass" came about because several campus officials wanted to get students off their couches or the Internet, Underwood told ASUN.

There are about 60 activities highlighted in the books.

Green said when the Scarlet Guard was choosing activities to highlight in "The Cornhusker Compass," they considered cost.

A lot of the activities are free or available to students with NCards, she said.

The books also educate students about stories having to do with Husker traditions, such as touching Herbie Husker's foot before a game or the stories about the columns outside Memorial Stadium.

While the books are available to all students, Underwood told the ASUN senators they were trying to target freshmen.

"Hopefully this will be enticing for freshmen, and they hopefully will have four years to complete that," she said.

If students complete 50 or more activities, they qualify as tradition-keepers.

The book includes quotes from distinguished alumni as well as blank pages where students can place photos of traditions they have with their friends or other mementos.

Green said the book was like a mini-yearbook, which stopped consistent publication after 1973.

"This is a great way … to document everything you've done (at the university)," she said.

kimbuckley@dailynebraskan.com