Student groups present Harry Potter Ugly Sweater Tea Party
The University of Guelph’s Central Student Association (CSA) and Off Campus University Students (OCUS) gave Gryphons the opportunity to unwind during a Harry Potter-themed disorientation event on Dec. 1.
Peter Clark Hall, in the basement of the University Centre, was decorated like the Great Hall from Hogwarts—complete with banners and house tables—and was filled with fun events, thanks to the efforts of several contributors from the campus and community.
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The event was the brainchild of Zoey Ross, the CSA’s communications and corporate affairs commissioner. Ross told The Ontarion that the theme began as something mentioned at a general staff meeting, which originally got a bit of a laugh, but was soon spearheaded by Ross, Royston Singh, and Jack Fisher and brought out approximately 600 people.
“It’s not really often that a whole bunch of clubs come out like this, so it’s really nice to have everyone collaborating,” said Singh, president of OCUS.
“OCUS ends up doing a lot of smaller events throughout the year. Disorientation is this one event that we’ve held for four years, which is kind of like our end of semester event, and to be able to collaborate with CSA and other clubs like this is awesome,” Singh added.
Sweet Temptations hosted a cupcake design contest. Brass Taps served up muggle food and butterbeer. FLASH Club and Games Club combined to offer board games, colouring, movie viewings, and mad libs.
Entertainment was also offered throughout the evening. The Making-Box put on a Harry Potter improv show. The College of the Arts hosted trivia based on the Wizarding World; after some sound difficulties, teams wracked their brains to remember obscure facts like Gilderoy Lockhart’s favourite colour. The Drama Students Federation performed fanfiction; one piece was written in an “add-a-line” format by party-goers and possessed a hilarious literotica twist.
The College of Biological Science Student Council (CBSSC) walked people through how to make a lava lamp: a concoction made of baking soda, oil, coloured vinegar, and sparkles.
Harry Potter Alliance Guelph offered the chance to “Pin the nose on Voldemort,” Harry Potter mug-making, and a magic photo booth.
Guelph’s Quidditch Team offered a hoop toss while Nerf Club offered a nerf blasting contest, which let players shoot at cardboard boxes bearing the image of villains from the Wizarding World.
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“I think that students are really academically focused right now—and that’s great. We have some of the best scholars in Ontario. But everybody needs a break once in awhile from studying to come and just relax at something enjoyable and that’s all this event is; it’s really just to let people have a good time,” Ross concluded.