RYAN MILLAR
The Bishop’s University Newspaper
being incorrigible since 1944
Vol. 71, No.4 No.9
FEBRUARY 10, 2016
www.thebucampus.ca
Winterfest – what’s the point?
PHOTO COURTESY RYAN MILLAR
Is it a Bishop’s tradition, or just another excuse to drink alcohol? HAYLEY WINCH Staff Writer
W
interfest is a school-sanctioned event that is long-awaited by many students, who wind up spending the weekend out of sorts and out of doors. Rail Jam is one of the main events of the weekend and has the highest draw for students, as people come to support their friends’ efforts on the rail or simply show up in 80s style snowsuits to get drunk. This is one of the events that actually gives students the chance to showcase their skills regarding skiing and snowboarding – and it only lasts a few hours.
Students crowd into the quad annually to celebrate Rail Jam. Winterfest tickets are sold with the promise of two free alcoholic drinks to enjoy, while participating in this event. Alcohol is used as an enticing advertisement for Winterfest. Each day holds a new opportunity to get drunk (it’s not the official motto, but it very well could be), and the promotion of alcohol is what seems to drive attendance for all Winterfest events. It is a well-known fact that many students view Winterfest as an opportunity to continuously drink; Rail Jam is a catalyst for the excuse to day drink. Bishop’s students are proud of their activities,
SRC ignores Westminster PAGE 3
which only supports the drinking culture that has been cultivated over the years. Walking through the quad on the day following Rail Jam is remotely depressing after such a large and public event. Any snow related obstacles have been removed, the advertising tents are gone, and all the students have retreated to their beds to sleep off their hangovers. Garbage bins are filled with beer cases and cans with the smell of alcohol still lingering in the air. All this sums up to the remains of a successful Bishop’s event. My question is what is the point of Winterfest? Is it to celebrate the season,
or to celebrate winter-based sports? Does Winterfest strive to encourage students to showcase their potential? Or is it simply another excuse to put off the real work that needs to be done and down beer after beer? Winterfest does not actually seem to be about winter. It seems to be more about how much drinking Bishop’s students can do in a short period of time – and we all know that our reputation is already quite substantial.
Do chains and Melina Querel vs. whips excite you? the world PAGE 5
PAGE 11