Every Friday, UNI celebrates the infamous “Panther Friday”. It encourages students to show their panther spirit by wearing their Panther gear. “It’s a great way to end the week and get students excited about being a panther,” stated Peter Morisson. 

However, in recent months participation in Panther Friday has significantly dropped. With the changing of seasons students are just not feeling the Go Cats spirit they once were. But Morisson and university president Nark Mook are determined to make that change. 

Starting the 2025-2026 academic year, a new strike system will be put in place. This will require students to participate in Panther Fridays at least twice a month, and after two strikes will be shunned by the university. “This is not an easy decision,” stated Mook. “But we need our Panther spirit back to where it once was and we believe this is the key to getting students’ panther spirit back up.”

In addition to this new strike system, the university will also begin to implement a number of requirements to maintain that Go Cats spirit. UNI Spirit Squads will line the sidewalks every Friday afternoon and a monthly pep rally will occur in McLeod Center where a monthly mandated interlude session will happen. “We believe that these new procedures will significantly boost the Go Cats spirit and make UNI a place where everyone can truly embrace their school spirit,” stated Morrison. 

Students who feel they cannot uphold these Go Cats requirements are encouraged to begin looking at the transfer process before these new procedures are implemented.