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WINTER WELCOMING

By Mike Czobit

Below-zero temperature? Check. Fresh sheet of ice? Check. Free pair of skates? Check. Sounds like the recipe for RyeSAC’s Skate Night at Nathan Phillips Square.

On Monday night, a small group of students took advantage of the free skate rentals RyeSAC was offering and took a spin around the outdoor rink at City Hall.

Lee Boyadjian, a first-year journalism student, convinced her friends to join her and skate at the famous rink. Boyadjian, 18, figure skated for 10 years. And while other skaters were falling frequently, Boyadjian said she didn’t hit the ice while skating at City Hall. “That experience is paying off.”

The free skate night was part of RyeSAC’s second annual Winter Week of Welcome, which runs until Friday. Boyadjian said she attended the event because she already skates frequently at Nathan Phillips Square. She said she enjoys the atmosphere, specifically “being outside in the cold Canadian air.”

Boyadjian hasn’t made plans to attend any of the other events RyeSAC is hosting this week, but she might go to another. And there aren’t too many events left for the week. Today, in the Hub Cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. is the Campus Caravan, where Ryerson student groups get the chance to show off their work.

Thursday’s event faces a possible postponement if the weather’s not good. If it is good, then from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. there will be a professional ice sculptor in the Quad. And there’s free hot chocolate.

Also on Thursday, RyeSAC launches its Greatest Alumni contest at 11 a.m. in the Hub. Finally on Friday is the annual ski trip to Blue Mountain. Bad news if you don’t have your ticket because they’re sold out. The good news is that there is a waiting list, and RyeSAC is considering sending another bus if the demand exists.

The goal of this week’s events, according to Gaya Arasaratnam, RyeSAC’s promotions and volunteers co-ordinator, is to get students to show their school spirit.

“We hope students have a great time, and get more involved on campus.”

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