Enjoy Greatest Homecoming on Earth, But Know Laws, Policies and Rules Still Apply

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Oct. 7, 2025) – The 99^th edition of the Greatest Homecoming on Earth is in full swing, and with it come tens of thousands of celebrants and vendors eager to be part of the fun. But all attendees should be aware that there are laws, policies and rules to abide by.

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University always makes safety its top priority during homecoming; year in and year out, campus is safe and fun throughout the week. Visitors and Aggies alike should be aware of important legal considerations as they make plans to attend:

• No firearms of any kind are permitted on the N.C. A&T campus. North Carolina G.S. §14-269.2 makes it a Class I felony to knowingly possess or carry any gun, rifle, pistol or other firearm on educational property or at university-sponsored activities. Those who bring a weapon to any homecoming activity or on the A&T campus risk arrest and criminal prosecution.
• Students should be especially mindful of that requirement and be sure that any friend or acquaintance they bring to the A&T campus, its residence halls and apartments who is in possession of a weapon can expose them to charges and potential disciplinary action.
• Students who bring firearms to campus or university-sponsored events or who invite someone to campus who has a firearm will face disciplinary action up to expulsion from the university.

Last year’s celebration drew more than 130,000 attendees throughout the week. Vendors selling licensed A&T merchandise are eager to get their products in front of those attendees, and A&T encourages those sales, as all licensing royalties that accrue to the university are devoted to funding student financial aid. But vendors are also bound by certain laws, policies and rules:

• Only licensed vendors may sell merchandise at homecoming, and only in areas where the university permits retail activity. A&T licenses manufacturers and vendors to sell products bearing the A&T name and other protected brandmarks through the CLC licensing company (com). Those who will be selling merchandise inside the stadium and at Aggie Fan Fest should bring their licensing paperwork with them and have it handy if authorities ask to see it.
• Fans interested in ensuring they are only buying from licensed vendors should look for items that have a CLC tag attached bearing the iridescent symbol for licensed vendors.
• Agents from the N.C. Secretary of State will be on hand policing sales of licensed gear. Any vendor selling unlicensed A&T products runs the immediate risk of having those items confiscated. Flagrant violations such as manufacturing unlicensed items on site or continuing to violate after an official warning could face criminal charges and additional seizure of property.

A&T encourages all Aggies to enjoy one of the most special college homecoming events in America, recognized for its quality, safety and enjoyability. A&T also encourages all participants to play a role in protecting homecoming against bad actors: If you see something, say something. Report unlawful activity such as a weapon at a homecoming event or a vendor selling gear without permission to the University Police Department (UPD).

UPD will have a large presence at homecoming, supplemented by officers from many surrounding agencies brought in to provide extra security. Officers will be easy to find at any event. The A&T campus also has numerous emergency phones located across campus for use in getting immediate attention for dangerous or unsafe situations.

Finally, as a member of the University of North Carolina System, A&T abides by the system’s Free Speech Policy (Board of Governors Policy 1300.8). The policy protects the expression of all individuals and organizations regardless of viewpoint, but does allow for content-neutral time, place and manner restrictions.

Individuals or groups planning to visit campus to engage in expressive activities are encouraged to contact UPD at (336) 334-7128 for information about current time, place and manner guidelines.