campus opportunities

Winter Rec Library: A Great Way to Ski and Skate with Augustana

BY AMIELLE CHRISTOPHERSON/PHOTO BY SARAH LAFLAMME

Those walking through the Forum Nov. 27 would have seen a table set up in front of the Wellness Week motivational posters. Manned by Augustana Advancement staff, Assistant Director Bree Urkow and Communications Coordinator Sydney Tancowny, the two were helping spread the word about and collect donations for this year’s Giving Tuesday project.
Giving Tuesday is a follow up to the spending that happens during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, often putting funds towards community and social justice projects. This year, Augustana Advancement was collecting donations for a Winter Rec Library.
According to Jadene Mah, the Athletic Services Coordiantor, this project was encouraged by Dean Allen Berger almost three years ago. The idea is that the Winter Rec Library will be a borrowing program comprised of skates and cross country skis made available to Augustana students, “in part with the hope that we could promote an active outdoor life during the winter for our international students,” said Mah in an e-mail.
Mah said, Nordic Legend, Les Parsons, pushed the project forward and contacted Head Librarian Nancy Goebel, whom Mah said “was on board immediately!”, and Feisal Kirumira, as an International Student Advisor. Almost three years later, with much support from ED of Student Life, Randal Nickel, the project is starting to take off.
The parties involved with making this project a reality are the Augustana Library, the Augustana Vikings’ Nordic Club Team, Campus Recreation – Student Life, Augsutana Advancement, and Dean of Students’ Office.
During Giving Tuesday, the group was looking to raise $4,000 for the project, which already includes a $2,000 matching gift. They have also already received an additional grant of $7,000 from the Dean of Students’ Office to make this project a reality.
Although the bulk of the fundraising effort was done through Giving Tuesday on Nov. 27, the Winter Rec Library is still accepting gifts. Those who are interested in donating can visit the Office of Advancement (L-34D AG01 Founders Hall) or do so online, indicating the gift is for the Augustana Innovation Fund (Giving Tuesday-Winter Rec Library).
All fundraised monies will go towards costs of the project, which includes purchasing skis and skates and storage cabinets.
The group is looking to purchase 20 complete sets of cross country skis and 10 pairs of boots to go along with them and an undecided number of hockey style skates.
Although ski donations are not being accepted, skates can be donated, as long as they’re hockey skates in good conditions. The sizes most needed are men’s 8, 9, and 10. Those can be dropped off at the Augustana Fitness Centre with name and contact information.
To go along with the equipment, there will also be programming put in place. There will be Learn to Ski and Learn to Skate programs rolled out in the New Year.
“Programming will include instruction and encouragement from the Nordic and hockey teams,” said Mah, adding that, “the ‘learn to’ opportunities are critical parts of our larger plan to encourage campus rec involvement.”

Student Led Programming a New Initiative For Students to Plan Events They Want

BY HIEN NGUYEN

As a student, studying is important, but it is not everything. You build your future on relationships you establish today, the skills you practice, and the activities you get involved in. Free your mind for a while and create something different by joining Augustana’s new Student Led Programming.
A brand-new program
I talked to Sarah McCrae, our Student Experience Coordinator, to learn more about the Student Led Programming. This program was created to promote students’ ideas of planning an event themselves.
“It was thought that students know what they want, how to have fun and how to recruit their friends to do things,” said McCrae. “We want to encourage and support them as best we can”.
Funding opportunities
There are three levels of programming and their funding. The nice thing is that you can use Residence Service’s supplies.
Level one is for a smaller fun social event and is funded $20. You can plan this event with five to 15 people.
“We want a group with more than just your friends, so more people can come,” said McCrae. “The more you and your friends open to people, the larger the number of participants you will get. Your group can organize a movie night, board games with snacks, cookie baking, etc.”
Level two is $40. It is a little bigger and can flexibly be attended by a group of 10 to 20 students. Examples are a Bob Ross Paint night, a Henna party, or Pumpkin Carving.
Level three is a bigger deal and can be up to $60-$100. Your event must be open to at least 30 students.
Here, you have a chance to share your skills and cultural experiences, such as teaching your friends how to cook your lovely dishes, host a coffee house in dorms, bring in pet therapy, etc.
“It’s not just like you get money to make food for your friends,” explained McCrae.. “It’s how you teach things to other people, share what you know, and make the community from it.”
Your idea is worth it!
Whatever comes to mind may turn into an unforgettable moment, so do not hesitate to share your ideas. Begin with questions such as: what is your event, when will it start, and where? Then give more details about other supplies you may need. If you want a cookie night, have you have baking supplies? For henna, do you need more materials?
Talk to your RAs to see if they can help with these supplies and products. Think about how many people can participate in your event and ways to promote it. Will you post your event on social media, put some leaflets around dorms, or chat with others in the cafeteria? Try your best to convince people why your event is worth attending, and the value it brings to your community. I’m quite sure they would love to attend an event like this!
How can I get more information?
Now, the Student Led Programming is not on the campus website yet. The best way to seek for help is team up with your RAs or stop by the daily RA office hours from 5:30 – 8:30pm in the First Year Dorms East 101 office.