For the first time in Winter Carnival’s 51-year history, students will be able to apply for scholarships to participate in the events.
When students register online to participate in the festivities, they may specify if they are seeking financial assistance. Next, advisers will determine whether the student qualifies for the assistance with a portion of the total cost. According to sophomore Sam Estenson, the DUPB Traditions co-chair, the intention is to help students not to feel excluded from DU traditions.
“DU’s Programming Board has a vision: its mission statement is to provide affordable, inclusive and entertaining programs for all DU students,” said Estenson. “We want to say it is fair and fun for everyone. But Winter Carnival has been our struggle point; it can get very expensive for students.”
Estenson also explained that members of DUPB started to discuss potential scholarship options at the beginning of the academic year.
“It fits so easily on the programming side,” he said. “But the issue is if the student uses the maximum amount of their financial aid for their tax bracket, we can’t give them a gift certificate or cash without nullifying their academic scholarships, basically.
In addition, Estenson said the scholarship will come through a combination of DUPB funds and donations.
Because of strong positive responses to the week-long extension of 2011’s Homecoming activities, Winter Carnival events will now take place over a full week.
While many DU students look forward to the jam-packed week, considering the cost, “a lot of students just can’t afford it,” Estenson said.
To promote inclusion among the Pioneer community, when students register, if they qualify for financial aid, advisers will make the decision if they can help with the cost so they can participate. While Estensen said it cannot be guaranteed that entire packages will be provided, he explained that various costs will be covered.
“We want it to be a hand-up rather than a hand-out,” said Estenson. “We would never broadcast the information on who will receive financial packages, so students don’t have to worry about that.”
For this reason, the Traditions co-chair said DUPB advisor Kerrie Montgomery and Student Life executive director, Carl Johnson, will be the only two individuals with access to individual students’ financial aid information for privacy purposes.
On Friday, Feb. 3, DUPB will work with Athletics for the DU vs. Colorado College hockey game at Magness Arena, serving as the 2012 kick-off for the festive series of events.
At the game, students may receive giveaways and in attempt to replicate last year’s whiteout, students in the crowd will be asked to don the color white.
On-campus activities will follow beginning Monday Feb. 6. This year’s activities, weather-permitting, include a chili cook-off, grill-out day on the quad and DU Grilling Society-sponsored s’mores, ice skating at Ritchie Center, a charity clothing drive, ski and board tune-and-wax and small group competitions featuring winter trivia, cookie-decorating and seasonally-themed arts-and-crafts contests.
Estenson also said a golden medallion scavenger hunt will take place across campus for three-to-four weeks leading up to winter carnival.
“We’ll release hints and narrow down where it is hidden on campus,” he said. “Our promotional award will either give the lucky winner free concert or lift tickets.”
On Friday, Feb. 10, students will head for the hills as they make their way to Winter Park for the three-day, on-mountain events. Buses will be available for round-trip transportation.
