Our picks for Winter Welcome Week 2012

Winter Welcome Week 2012's advertising pictures the Mason statue with a scarf on it. We decided to emulate that, in real life, with our own scarf. (Jake McLernon)
Winter Welcome Week 2012's advertising pictures the Mason statue with a scarf on it. We decided to emulate that, in real life, with our own scarf. (Jake McLernon)

Weekends at Mason has posted the list of events and freebies for Winter Welcome Week 2012, and we’ve selected our favorites (including an opportunity to take pictures in a gigantic snow globe).

The full schedule of events notes activities on the Fairfax and Prince William campuses that take place during the first week of classes, Jan. 23 – Jan. 29. (The week precedes another event-filled week, Homecoming.)

All events are described on the Winter Welcome Week website. Our favorites for each day are posted below.

Monday, Jan. 23
New Year, New Semester Celebration

What it is: The Office of Housing and Residence Life is celebrating the opening of two new dorms on campus, Rogers and Whitetop. In addition to offering a chance to tour the buildings, there’s supposed to be hot chocolate and chocolate fountains, along with other festivities.

Why it’s our pick: Three words: Giant snow globe. In addition to chocolate, there’s supposed to be a 16-foot tall inflatable snow globe, one that you can take pictures inside of with your friends. How often do you get to do that?

Where: Whitetop Lobby, 4 – 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 24
Blizzard Bingo

What it is: The Resident Student Association is sponsoring a night to reconnect with friends, learn about RSA and “get buried in an avalanche of prizes.”

Why it’s our pick: We don’t know what the prizes are, but we do know that this is probably the closest place to your dorm wher you can play raucous rounds of bingo. (Here’s a quick Google return for bingo halls near Fairfax, in case you can’t come and can spare the drive.)

Where: The HUB Ballroom, 8 – 10 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 25
CAUTION: Winter Weather Travel Ahead

What it is: Off-Campus Student Programs and Services is holding an event to help better prepare students traveling to and from campus by car over the next couple months. The event looks to educate about the necessities for driving in bad weather.

Why it’s our pick: Remember the “snow lows” of last January? We don’t want anyone else spending another seven hours on Patriot Circle stuck in their car.

Where: Side Pocket, The HUB, 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 26
MLK Evening of Reflection

What it is: The Office of Diversity Programs and Multicultural Services is hosting campus’s annual celebration commemorating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event also celebrates the 20 years of Mason’s African and African American Studies Program.

Why it’s our pick: Celebrating the life and contributions of MLK should be more than just having a day off from work or school. This event provides a nice opportunity for the Mason community to reflect on the legacy of Dr. King.

Where: Johnson Center Dewberry Hall, 6 – 9 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 27
Mason on Ice

What it is: Weekends at Mason is providing an opportunity for you to ice skate on the Fairfax campus. There’s also a hot chocolate bar.

Why it’s our pick: Saves the gas money to get to Reston Towne Center.

Where: Arts Plaza (between Mason Hall and the Center for Fine Arts). The severe weather location is JC Dewberry Hall. 7 – 11 p.m.

This event is also scheduled for Saturday at the same time, 7 – 11 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 28
Men’s Basketball vs. JMU

What it is: The Game of the Week. The Patriots take on the Dukes on our home turf, right before homecoming.

Why it’s our pick: It was tough between this and snow tubing. But what can we say? We just have to support our team.

Where: Patriot Center, 2 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 29
Happy Feet 2

What it is: Program Board sponsors free showings of movies for students each weekend, and for Winter Welcome Week, the selection is appropriately themed.

Why it’s our pick: Look at how dang cute this is.

Where: JC Cinema, 6 p.m.

Really, don't skip that last link.

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