Just one week into July, this summer’s temperatures are already breaking records. Don’t despair; services across campus offer ways to beat the heat.
The health and safety office counsels employees to avoid heat-related illnesses by keeping hydrated, taking breaks out of the sun, and wearing light clothing and appropriate headgear.
The University Bookstore stocks products that can help, says marketing manager Martin Deck.
“We’ve got all sorts of light clothing—T-shirts and shorts branded with UWindsor or Lancer logos, starting at $10,” Deck says. “And to keep the sun off your head, try one of our ballcaps at a range of prices.”
He says the store sells stainless steel water bottles for $10.95 and a newer product, a $4.50 foldable water bottle.
“It’s a great way to keep hydrated,” says Deck. “It folds down small when it’s not filled so it’s super-portable.”
The bookstore can even offer personal shade, with a range of umbrellas that can be pressed into service as parasols.
Of course, public shade is widely available on campus, and Assumption University recently installed picnic tables under the trees on its north lawn, a move chaplain Chris Valka hopes will help to make the space more of a people place.
“The idea is I want students to use it,” he says. “We have this great green space, so why let it sit empty?”
Jane Meunier, a manager in Food Services, says the Marketplace food court carries a number of products guaranteed to cool you off.
“Of course you want to drink plenty of fluids and we carry a number, everything from bottles of mineral water to juices and smoothies,” she says. “We also offer a lot of fresh fruit: whole fruits like oranges, apples and bananas as well as seasonal specialties like peaches and plums and cut fruit like watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew and fruit cups.”
The outlet also boasts frozen novelties like Nestle ice cream sandwiches and drumsticks, Delmonte frozen juice bars and a variety of Coppa di Gelato flavours, including lemon, strawberry, chocolate, cappuccino and amaretto, at $2.99 for a 120 ml serving.
The Tim Horton’s outlet in the Odette Building also carries a range of drinks, but an especially popular offering is its frozen lemonade, new this summer and only $1. The sweet and tart beverage is made with real lemon and is available flavoured with raspberry, too.
The Sunset Café has a new item on its menu as well—soft ice cream cones at just $1.99. A power blowout earlier this summer has restricted its machine to just one flavour, but management hopes customers appreciate the sweet treat.