COLUMN: End of semester not so bad when there’s stuff to do
As we’ve seen this week, winters in Cache Valley can be blistering cold, enough to keep you huddled under a pile of blankets studying for finals that invoke as much dread as the chill. But don’t let the frigid temperatures and finals blues keep you from enjoying the many activities available during these last frazzled weeks of school.
Kick off the holidays with the Christmas Tree Lane in the Sunburst Lounge, which will be set up until Christmas Break. New this year, there is also a big Christmas tree on the Quad, a tradition started by Nic Gordon, ASUSU Organizations and Traditions V.P.
It wouldn’t be the holidays without great sales, and the Pottery Club is starting the season off with their pottery sale today and tomorrow. Visit the Sunburst Lounge for unique gifts from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Other sales include the Print Guild Sale in the Fine Arts-Visual, Room 104, from 5-9 p.m. and the student appreciation sale, where everything is 20 percent off in the bookstore. Both of these sales are on Dec. 9 only.
As students and citizens of this community, we need to remember the aspect of service. There are plenty of opportunities to make someone else’s holiday bright, right here on campus. Donate mittens, hats, scarves, and socks to Cache Valley’s children on the mitten tree at Carousel Square starting today until Dec. 10. There will be various food drives, benefit concerts, etc., through the holiday season. Please participate.
And, of course, don’t forget to support our teams, who are playing some of the biggest games of the season this month. Wednesday, the men’s basketball team plays BYU at the Spectrum, so let’s get a full house to cheer on the Aggies. On Saturday, the basketball team plays our other major rival, University of Utah, starting at 7:05 p.m. Catch women’s basketball at the Spectrum on Dec. 20, 29, and 31. Take a look at the schedule for other sports at www.utahstateaggies.com.
For those that participate in their own sporting events, snow adds a whole new angle to outdoor sports. Take the avalanche awareness class tomorrow night from 6 to 8 and Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to learn about how to be safe while you’re tearing up the slopes this season. Contact the ORC to register.
For those ski bums, get a welcome reprieve from the stress of Finals at Beaver Mountain. As of right now, we have approximately 24-36 inches of snow from mid-mountain to peak, with a base depth of 10-12 inches. More snow is expected this week; check it out at www.skithebeav.com.
The ORC is offering a free snowshoeing trip on Sat., Dec. 11. They provide snowshoes for rental.
There will be entertainment aplenty this season, and we’ll see tons of talent right on our campus. “Hayfever,” a comedy play, will be staged at the Morgan Theatre from on Dec. 2-4 and 8-11. There’s a myriad of concerts, recitals, and festive shows going on at the Kent Concert Hall during the season as well.
During the holidays it’s easy to, shall we say, “forget” about our diets and eat too much stuffing and gingerbread? Well, get a jump on healthy habits this season with the annual Wellness Fair, featuring Rulon Gardner as the keynote speaker. There will also be health screenings and hearing tests available. This takes place Monday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For all those lucky December graduates, the Grad Fair will be Dec. 14 and 15. This is the only place to get a cap and gown, so don’t forget to attend. December commencement – the first ever – will be held Saturday, Dec. 18 at the Smith Spectrum, 10:30 a.m.
So break out of winter blues mode and get involved this season. There’s plenty to do to make Finals season whiz by and have some fun in the process!
Senior Michelle Bundy contributed to “ASUSU View” this week. A.J. Rounds, the ASUSU graduate studies vice president, can be reached at ajrounds2@hotmail.com.