The Campus Activities Board put on ice skating for students passing by the Student Union. Participants were able to skate with friends, by themselves or just get involved as spectators. This was the first event of its kind that CAB has ever hosted, and the CAB members in charge thought that the turnout out proved it to be a success and a good idea.
Nathaniel Callaway/The Lion's Roar
The Campus Activities Board is on its third week of activities. They held the Back to School Bash on Jan. 24, and their Art Party was on Jan. 25. Their third event was ice skating, which was held outside of the War Memorial Student Union.
On Jan. 31 from 1 to 5 p.m., CAB used the term ice skating lightly, no actual ice was used. Instead, a floor was assembled just in front of the Katrina Memorial Fountain, which was covered in a light oil and students were given ice skates. This was the first time CAB had ever did something like this, and they chose it as a way to change their usual types of activities.
“We wanted something different from everything else because this is an unusual event especially in South Louisiana,” said McKenzie Tolson, a junior marketing major and the CAB member that was head of the event. “So, we were looking at other options and ice skating just felt like something a lot of other people could do. We wanted to do something really cool, and we said ice skating. I just then headed it up.”
The event was also held as a way for students to take a break throughout their day, and CAB felt that it would be a more convenient placement than other activities.
“We could put it somewhere like this where people could come do it on their way to class or wherever they were going,” said Tolson. “It wouldn’t have to be you come here and sit forever and wait.”
While they had a fair amount show up throughout the day, one of the major aspects that drew people in were to be spectators. Students laughed and smiled as they watched friends and strangers skate around on the “ice” usually resulting in them falling down.
CAB’s events are geared towards more than just the students who attend. Faculty and professors are being drawn in to enjoy the spectacle.
“This was such a cute idea,” said Nonita Valverde, Academic Advisor for Freshmen success on campus. “My kids asked ‘Can we use this as a campus connect?’ That’s one of the assignments, and I said ‘Absolutely. You know what, I’ll even let you out a little early.’”
According to Tolson, the overall event was considered a success, and everyone was having fun.
“I think this has gone really well,” said Tolson. “People have been having a lot of fun, and a lot of people have been showing up just to watch. When we were putting the signs up, we were constantly getting messages asking us more about it because it is such an unusual event.”
Nathaniel Callaway/The Lion's Roar