Partners meet in due time

By Samantha Bayard

baya0004@algonquincollege.com

Tick, tock, tick, tock... the clock marks six minutes that are passing fast, along with the brisk beating of your nervous heart, as you get to know the possible partner of your dreams.

Speed dating has become popular for its efficiency and novelty. Cupid.com/ pre dating is the largest speed dating service in North America.

Michael Clark, events co-ordinator for Pre-dating explains it functions in a circle where the women stay stationary and the men circulate every six minutes. Every participant scores and gets a free month on the website to contact their would-be matches.

Campus of Love is their newest initiative in which they partner with university and college campuses.

“It’s a great chance for students to meet those they may not have classes with and make some new friends,” said Clark. “Overall these have been very successful.”

Jodi Samler, a first-year television broadcasting student who is single, said she thinks the school should support more singles-centered events. But she wouldn’t attend speed dating. “I’m into meeting people but not in such an individual situation. There is so much pressure in one-on-one.”

Ken MacLeod, events programmer for the SA, explained speed dating that hasn’t happened at Algonquin in the three years he has been working.

“A student group last year tried to do a [speed dating] fundraiser event but they didn’t get enough people to sign up,” said MacLeod.