Cicy Guimond is an Associate Director with Student Financial Services, and she was previously a Financial and Business Analyst. Some of her bigger projects include budgeting for Enrolment Services, allocating tuition revenue to faculties via the Tuition Allocation Model (TAM), and ensuring the annual tuition and student fee increase goes through the proper approval process and is implemented into the student system (SISC) as smoothly as possible. Cicy’s favourite part about Enrolment Services is getting to work with her amazing team – “I love that everyone always bands together to do whatever it takes to get the job done.”
First question – where have you recently gone to?
I traveled to Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, because I had been eyeing the Free Spirit Spheres ever since I read an article about it online a couple years ago. They’re amazing spherical treehouses that are absolutely gorgeous on the outside and super cozy on the inside. I wouldn’t normally stay in a treehouse, because I’m a bit spoiled when it comes to washroom requirements, but these spheres have a separate, very modern facility so I was convinced. Glamping is great!
What are the must-sees or must-dos in Qualicum Beach?
The must-do at Qualicum Beach is visiting the Horne Lake Caves. We went on a tour where we got to experience absolute darkness, climb an underground waterfall, and go through a “cheese grater” (a really narrow squeeze between two rock walls).
Tell us about your most memorable moment during your stay at the Free Spirit Sphere?
My most memorable moment was playing Phantom of the Opera in the sphere with the door open and noticing that two deer were leaping around just under the treehouse. I snuck downstairs and sat with them, maybe 10 feet away, while they chomped away happily on the grass. It was like something out of a fairy tale!
Did you have a favourite meal / restaurant you went to?
We went to Bistro 694, and my favourite dish was the brie bruschetta. You really can’t go wrong with carmelized onions and melted brie!
Lastly, any advice to someone who wants to go to the Free Spirit Spheres?
Definitely book well in advance. There are only three spheres (we stayed in the Eryn) available for rent on the entire property because they want to preserve the nature and tranquility of the environment.