Though this week’s plummeting temperatures have driven most members of the Harvard community indoors, the Law School is giving its students a reason to brave the elements—an outdoor ice skating rink.

Dean of Harvard Law School (HLS) Elena Kagan said she decided on the spur of the moment this week to build the rink in Javis Field, an open space in front of the Law School’s student center, Harkness Commons.

“I was thinking about the renovation of the Hark, which is taking place this summer,” Kagan said. “And I saw an old article about the Hark from the 1950s. In the photo, I noticed that there were people skating in Javis Field. I thought it was a great idea.”

When Kagan began her term, she promised to make improving student life a top priority.

She said she saw this recreational addition to HLS as a step in that direction, so she decided to use money from the Law School budget to make the rink a reality.

“It’s winter. How do you make people happy?” Kagan asked.

Apparently, you build a rink.

Though HLS is still thinking about rules of access, Kagan said the rink is intended for use primarily by the Harvard community and that College students will not be turned away.

The plans for the rink have been implemented with unusual swiftness.

Kagan came up with the plan on Monday, according to Senior Facilities Manager John Holleram, and by noon Tuesday the rink was already under construction.

The rink is expected to open early next week.

“We were trying to open this weekend,” said a construction worker at the site. “Now we’re shooting for next Wednesday.”

With such short notice, many HLS students hadn’t even noticed that a construction site had sprung up in their own backyard.

Once notified about the plans, however, many were excited to hear the news.

“That’s awesome!” said Michael L