Campus and activities this winter |

Rylie Perry, Staff Writer |

The winter semester has begun and many of us are recovering from fall semester burnout. While January does not bring the same kind of back-to-school buzz as September, there is no reason you shouldn’t enjoy the winter semester all the same. With the help of the Student’s Association of Mount Royal University (SAMRU) and Cougars Athletics, the MRU campus hosts student-led clubs, initiatives, events, and athletics dedicated to enhancing the university experience.

Fortunately for us, MRU is home to a slew of events to spark connection and campus-pride in these cold months. Campus events and extracurriculars allow students to contribute to the university community in a meaningful and impactful way. To continue to make these opportunities possible, MRU is reliant on student engagement and participation.

It is through student involvement that every student is guaranteed access to information and opportunities regarding an extracurricular that interests them. Therefore, it is essential to support MRU, SAMRU, and Cougars Athletics this winter semester and indulge in the packed schedule they have provided. Offering a full overview of upcoming events on each of their websites, there is no shortage of opportunities available to get involved.

Cougars Athletics

A celebration of sports and community in Calgary, the Crowchild Classic is set to return for its 11th year. The Crowchild Classic marks the rivalry between the MRU Cougars and the University of Calgary Dinos in all regular season Canada West games, which includes basketball, hockey, soccer, and volleyball.

Among receiving bragging rights for the year, the winner of the Crowchild Classic is awarded a medal in the form of a City of Calgary manhole cover.

The hockey doubleheader is the biggest game of the season, with students from both universities packing the Saddledome in blue and red, thanks to the support of the Calgary Flames Foundation. It should be noted that the Scotiabank Saddledome is a cashless venue, and parking is available at cost with public transit available as an alternative. Puck drop is at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 with tickets available online only. All proceeds go towards campus initiatives and athletics.

Alongside this highly-anticipated event, the Cougars also have a full lineup of volleyball, basketball, and hockey games for students to attend this semester.

SAMRU

Back for another year, is the Wycked Beach Party. Since its inaugural debut, the Wycked Beach Party encourages students to celebrate the start of the semester with lively DJs and a tropical theme that is sure to melt the snow.

While this is an all-ages event, students that are 18+ and would like to be served alcohol must bring one piece of government-issued I.D. Alcohol will be served by West Gate Social.

The party is free to attend and will transform Wyckham House from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Jan. 30.

West Gate Social

Looking to unwind between classes or grab a drink at the end of a long school day? West Gate Social has students covered this semester with weekly events and activities.

Starting off the week is Trivia Tuesday, which includes prizes for each round and a new theme every week. Upcoming themes include Marvel, Disney and Pixar, Calgary Flames, Retro gaming, and more. Trivia is hosted from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., making it the perfect pick-me-up between classes. It is free to attend but a mobile device is needed to participate.

In collaboration with MRU Residence, West Gate Social is also hosting Karaoke Night every month. Free to attend and open to students not in residence, Karaoke Night is the perfect opportunity to take the stage with a group of friends and relax after a long day. Karaoke is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month with the only requirement being to bring your favourite song.

Clubs

Student-led clubs and initiatives are a pillar of the university experience. Clubs are a unique and diverse way to pursue an interest, whether it is academic, social, representational, or cultural, as well as meet new people and develop new skills.

The MRU Ski Club encourages students to embrace the winter weather and enjoy the mountains with a community of fellow ski and board enthusiasts. They organize and run events around the Calgary area which includes single and multi-day trips. Any skill level is welcome, and financial contributions are necessary for certain activities.

The MRU Ski Club can be easily contacted through the club’s directory on the SAMRU website. They can also be found at the Clubs Expo on Jan. 21 and 22 in Wyckham House from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The MRU book club—A Novel Bunch—encourages students to embrace the cold weather by cozying up with a good book. The book club meets for weekly discussions based on books voted on by club members. They hope to reignite a love of recreational reading and create a friendly community of inclusive conversation.

They can be contacted through the clubs directory on the SAMRU website and found at the Clubs Expo alongside the Ski Club.

When students are committed to getting involved, there is no shortage of events and activities available at MRU. Whether it is athletics, events, or student-led initiatives, there is something for everyone this winter semester.

Rylie Perry is a Staff Writer for The Reflector 2024-2025.