With demolition set for North Area at the end of the spring, the future is uncertain for the annual dip into Lake Mary Nell set for Jan. 13 at noontime.
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A January tradition returns to Elon University this Friday for its ninth and perhaps final year as students “take the plunge” in the annual Polar Bear Plunge sponsored by the North Area Council and the Resident Student Association.
Students will jump into Lake Mary Nell to win prizes, receive a free long-sleeve shirt and enjoy free food as the community comes together outdoors in a relatively balmy January.
Date: Friday, January 13
Time: 12 p.m. (registration opens at 11:30 a.m.)
Where: Lake Mary Nell on Elon’s campus (off of Williamson Avenue behind the Center for the Arts)
The plunge is free and open only to Elon students. The event is the only time of the year where students are given permission to enter the water of Lake Mary Nell. About 150 people signed up in 2011.
All students MUST wear close-toed shoes and bring a towel to participate (Crocs do not count). Free long sleeve shirts will be distributed on first-come, first-served basis to anyone that jumps. The shirts will also be available for purchase for anyone who doesn’t plunge.
Free hot chocolate will be served and prizes include gift cards to local places around the Elon and Burlington area (Barnes and Nobles, Chiles, Target, Starbucks, Sonic).
Organizers say this Friday will almost certainly be the finale to the winter tradition because of construction set to begin after the school year ends. The North Area Council has sponsored the Polar Bear Plunge since its inception, but with dorms scheduled to be demolished this summer to make room for a new Global Neighborhood residential complex, it may be at least two years until a similar program takes shape.
“The students are really excited because it’s the last polar bear plunge of the original North Area,” said Taryrn T.C. Njagu, assistant director of Residence Life for North Area & housing operations manager. “The plunge will likely be on pause for at least a few years. And when these buildings go up, they could be positioned in a way where there isn’t the space we have now to have the plunge.”
Other residential areas on campus already have traditions, Njagu said, and there does not currently appear to be a group that will succeed North Area in sponsoring the day.
More information on the Plunge can be found on the Facebook page for North Area: facebook.com/ElonNorthArea. As of Monday midday, 91 students had indicated they would attend. Twitter users can also keep tabs on the North Area by following twitter.com/ElonNorthArea.
Additional student contacts:
Sarah Hoopes (Resident Area Coordinator)
Email: shoopes@elon.edu
Anthony “Alex” Caruso (North Area Council Governor)
Email: acaruso2@elon.edu
Hannah Allen (North Area Council Lt. Governor)
Email: hallen6@elon.edu