Christopher Lai | Creative Director
Featured illustration courtesy of Christopher Lai
Our winter semester is here, everyone. As usual, it’s dark, it’s wet and most of all, it’s cold. Still, that hasn’t stopped a few enthused students and the YFS from trying to get the party started.
This past week, the welcome back celebration known as Frost Week took place. The week-long event, organized by the YFS, featured a variety of events and activities. Jordan Madeira, vice-president campus life, says that their aim is to provide a “winter semester orientation, as well as accessible and cost-saving events for students arriving on campus in the winter semester.”
Hoping to brighten students’ morning routines, the YFS put on a bagel breakfast last Wednesday in conjunction with York Lanes’ Canadian Bagel. Anastasia Romanovsky, a third-year children’s studies major, certainly appreciated it.
“[The] bagels were awesome. I had class in Vari Hall, and [they gave me] coffee and bagels. Really cheered my morning.”
The activities were not limited to the Keele campus, as the YFS planned an outing to go snow tubing at Snow Valley ski resort in Barrie this past Friday. Amid the fun and excitement of the event, the importance of inclusivity and accessibility were not overlooked.
Nadeen Majid, a third-year law and society and criminology student, expresses her gratitude towards the YFS for their commitment to planning student recreation that is accessible to all students.
“Last year I went to Snow Valley and I was truly moved by the level of accommodation the resort holds. The employees, along with Chenthoori Malankov and Alexandria Williams from the YFS, assisted me onto a tube and I was able to participate,” says Majid.
“It was one of the most thrilling experiences and I’m very thankful for it. [The] YFS has always been accommodating for me. If needed for a trip, they fund accessible taxis to get me there. Furthermore, they have a policy that students with disabilities do not have to wait in line. I am truly pleased and moved by how the Federation handles accessibility.”
Madeira states that the resort where the activity was held has a strong commitment to ensure accessible accommodations, a commitment that extends to the YFS.
“The Federation holds accessibility in the utmost importance when planning and executing our services, events and campaigns.”
For those not willing to brave the cold, Frost Week featured indoor events and attractions, such as the raucous and lively DJ Battle held on Thursday evening. For over three hours, the Student Centre shook with the battling beats of the DJs.
“I am a student myself, so I know what my people want to listen to,” says DJ Havil, one of the participating DJs. “My DJ career started in my first year at York in 2013. I used to DJ from my laptop […] at friends’ birthday parties for free. My first major paid gigs were given to me by the Nigerian Student Association. From then on, I’ve been playing at different clubs and parties in the GTA.”
DJ Havil feels that university students enjoy these types of events as students can come out and support a favourite DJ artist, have the opportunity to socialize and be entertained on campus.
“Everyone simply loves a good [competition].”
“At first I was nervous but I got comfortable with my set and my supporters came out to cheer me on. It was also an opportunity for me to learn from my competitors. I was impressed.”
The competition was loud and fierce, but ultimately it was DJ Havil who was victorious and walked away with the grand prize.
Other activities planned by the YFS included a trip to Medieval Times, clubs fair in Vari Hall, Networking Meet & Greet, Hip-Hop Karaoke and a Casino Night.
However, not all students were feeling enthusiasm for winter-time activities.
“I didn’t participate and I never really found any of it interesting. But it’s good [that] there’s opportunities for students to meet other students and enjoy their experience at York,” says Stephen Crucio, a third-year professional writing student.
“I don’t know what these things cost, but maybe that’s a sign that interest in the inner workings of what the YFS does isn’t that high, at least for students like me just trying to get through their program.”
Other students simply didn’t have time to fit in recreation alongside all the demands of university.
“I don’t participate in that stuff, I don’t have time. I just go to classes and leave because I need to do homework,” says Stephen Giordano, a Faculty of Education student in his final year.
Vanessa Caruso, third-year professional writing student, offers her thoughts on school spirit and recreation at York.
“I do think it’s important to hold events or activities around campus. Otherwise, the whole university experience can become this sort of dull trudge through nothing but work. University is a time of growth and change for a lot of people, and so hosting events like this can be a good way for the [YFS] to pitch in with everyone’s social development and needs.
“I wouldn’t really consider myself someone who overflows with school spirit, but I do want to consider my time at York to be worthwhile in more ways than just the work I do and my experiences with the programs.”
With Frost Week, Madeira says that the YFS wished to cater to York students by providing a range of opportunities for students to foster school spirit.
“Affordable and accessible events to welcome students into the winter semester sets a tone for the entire semester.”
Madeira asserts that the YFS is pleased with the results of Frost Week, stating: “All events were well attended and students were highly engaged in how they can become more involved in the services, events and campaigns of the Federation.”
