Programming Board organized Winter Week, a series of winter-themed and seasonal events during the first week of February, for the Tufts student body. The week officially started on Friday, Jan. 30 with the unveiling of a banner to celebrate the 30th birthday of the Mayer Campus Center, and will culminate with Winter Ball on Saturday, Feb. 7.
The Junior Class Council had a Super Bowl event on Sunday evening. On Tuesday, Sophomore Class Council is holding a mask decoration and giveaway event. On Thursday, Tufts Film Series will show the film "Cool Runnings" (1993) and on Saturday, the Sophomore Class Council is hosting Winter Ball at the Royale Boston, where it was held last year.
Monday'shot chocolate bar, hosted by the Senior Class Council, was postponed as a result of Monday's campus closure.
“We asked all the groups to do at least one event this week so that we can incorporate all that into Winter Week, making this a whole week of events rather than just having Winter Ball," President of Sophomore Class Council Prastama Perkasa said.
Many new elements have been added to this year's festivities. Perkasa explained that the Sophomore Class Council wanted to give a new twist to Winter Ball, while also retaining the essence of last year's Winter Ball, which was known as Winter Bash in previous years.
According to Perkasa, DJ Irie, who is the official hype DJ for Miami Heat, will perform at Winter Ball this year. He also said this year's Winter Ball will have a new masquerade theme, hence Tuesday's mask giveaway.
“Lastly, there is a surprise that we will reveal during the Winter Ball,” he said.
Sophomore Class Council member Michelle Bornstein said the Council released a survey in the beginning of the year to ask people if they would prefer to have a DJ or a band. The results suggested that students wanted both, she said.
“A great local Boston band Louie Bello, who has played for Tufts before, is coming, and also a DJ to hype it up a little bit," Bornstein said.
Sophomore Class Council member Anastasia Antonova mentioned that the Royale Boston was selected as the event's venue again because it is spacious and conducive to a party atmosphere. She also said while this year’s menu will differ from last year’s, its quality will be just as high; for example, gourmet appetizers such as burgers and flatbread will feature on the menu.
Bornstein explained that having events for the entire Tufts student body is a way of bringing people together. Antonova added, “There will be dancing and socializing, and it's very inclusive because we try to invite as many people as possible."
Antonova said that despite not being able to put posters around campus because of inclement weather, the organizers have strived to ensure that first-year students know about the week’s events, as it offers a unique opportunity for students to socialize.
"There are people that you kind of know and get an opportunity to interact with better. Also, it’s a chance to dress up, because you don’t really get to dress up in college that much," she said.
“We want to solidify the class unity and create somewhat of a school spirit," Perkasa added.
The five members of the Sophomore Class Council have been planning Winter Week since September, Bornstein noted.
Programming Board organizes Winter Week
2/1/15 – Medford/Somerville, MA – Students mingle and eat during the Superbowl Party: Winter Week Kickoff event hosted by Junior Class Council as part of Programming Board's Winter Week in the Campus Center on February 1st, 2015. (Nicholas Pfosi / The Tufts Daily)
