CAB creates CSU Winter Wonderland

On Wednesday, Jan. 18 in the Student Center Atrium at Cleveland State University, real snow glittered outside as synthetic snow swirled around in a giant inflatable snow globe as part of Winter Wonderland, a CSU Chill Fest event put on by the Department of Student Life and Campus Activities Board.

"It's just a way to welcome back students with something fun," said Cassie McClelland, a CSU Business Administration major who volunteered for the event with CAB.

Winter Wonderland featured several amusing attractions. A live snow globe with fake snow for students to throw around and take pictures in was inflated and erected next to a giant toboggan—the Snowzilla Mobile Tubing slide.

Not only did students slide down the toboggan in inner tubes, they played arcade hoops as part of the Wolstein Center's attempts to promote basketball with radio station WKNR.

Students also made their own lip gloss, drank hot chocolate, ate free food, received giveaways and practiced glass etching.

"It took a lot of hard work," said Holly Jackson, director of CAB. "We try to put on different events for the students." She added, "We started working on this in the summer."

Winter Wonderland ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It was a hit with CSU students.

"I don't think many college students can say they tobogganed in their Student Center," said Marie Stolkowski, a graduate student majoring in School Counseling.

"I made the lip gloss," said Ayana Wilson, a major in Art and Biology. "It was nice."

"I like the pictures with the snow globe so much," said Morgann Davis, a Business major. "I took one, and it was magical."

CAB is a general fee group that pays for events like Winter Wonderland with co-sponsorships and collaboration with other student groups like the Student Government Association.

"I'm a strict negotiator," Jackson said with a grin.

On Friday, Jan. 20 in the Student Center Ballroom, CAB had Chill Fest Night at the Movies at 8 p.m. and showed "50/50," a comedy based on a true story about a young man who is diagnosed with cancer.

Chill Fest will last until Jan. 27 and will include other fun events such as Funday Monday BINGO at Bar Uno at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 23.

On Tuesday, Jan. 24 in the Student Center Atrium, Chill Fest will host Good Morning Commuters from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Free coffee, breakfast items and hot chocolate will be served while supplies last.

On Thursday, Jan. 26, Wellfest 2012, a health and wellness fair with food, demonstrations, freebies and music will occur in the Student Center Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Chill Fest will conclude with a multi-faith reception in the Student Center Atrium from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Many other events will be hosted throughout the week.