Homecoming Week. Seeming to always land on a beautiful week in October when the leaves are turning colors and a fresh crispness falls over Champaign-Urbana, it is a perfect time for alumni to return to campus and get reacquainted with the place where they spent way too many hours studying and probably way too many more hours partying.

However, when alumni return this year, they may see a campus that they are not familiar with. For better or for worse, here’s the lowdown on the new 217.

1. Alma Mater is still gone.

Yes, there is still no one serving as protectorate over the University. While Alma was supposed to return last semester, she is still being repaired and is scheduled to return to campus before graduation in the spring — or so the seniors hope.

2. Ikenberry Commons is being transformed.

Oh right, excuse my formal language — the “Six-Pack” is being transformed. Trying to find your beloved Garner or Forbes halls? Sorry, those have been obliterated in the past couple of years. They have been replaced with the state-of-the-art Nugent and Bousfield halls, which put most off-campus apartments and houses to shame. Next on the list is the construction of “Residence Hall #3,” which will begin in Spring 2014.

3. What the heck is State Farm Center?

Bigwig insurance company State Farm bought the naming rights to what was Assembly Hall last spring for $60 million for a 30-year deal. Pros? That’s a good chunk of cash that can go toward the renovations that will start at the arena in the spring. Cons? Hardly anyone is going to call it State Farm Center. #longliveAssemblyHall.

4. What is that massive structure in the horseshoe at Memorial Stadium?

That, Illini fans, is the new video board. Measuring 36 feet tall by 96 feet wide, the screen is high-definition and the audio quality has greatly improved. It just goes to show that you don’t need to have a winning football team to have nice things.

5. Apricot Lane? Ragstock? What happened to Follett’s?

Follett’s Bookstore, which hadn’t sold textbooks since 2010, closed its Champaign location in May. In its place currently are Apricot Lane, a boutique with cute yet pricey clothing, and Ragstock, a new- and used-clothing store. Be on the lookout for Panda Express later this year, which will occupy the rest of the vacant space in the building.

6. Green Street is becoming an apartment-building haven.

In addition to the already-existing Green Street Towers and various other apartment buildings, a new apartment building is being built on the corner of Green and Sixth streets, where Gameday Spirit used to stand (don’t worry, Gameday still exists — it’s now located across the street at 519 E. Green). Eventually, another apartment building will be constructed at Green and Fourth streets, where the now-closed IHOP stands.

7. No smoking on campus starting in January. Is that really going to work?

I have the same question. As of Jan. 1, 2014, smoking will not be allowed anywhere on campus. This decision was made mainly to avoid the effects of secondhand smoke and to prevent tobacco-related litter. The information regarding how this policy will be enforced has not been released yet.

8. Wendy’s?!

Finally, an outlet to get Frostys. Located north of Green Street on Sixth Street, this is a fast-food chain that offers cheap eats — something always appreciated on a college campus.

But even if campus doesn’t feel exactly the same as when alumni went here, there are still some things that haven’t (and may never) change: Kam’s is still intact, the Morrow Plots are still a mystery and students are still as party savvy as they are book savvy.

Welcome home, Illini.

Kirsten is a junior in Media. She can be reached at [email protected].