CBU clubs connect with students virtually

Riverside, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2020) – The Club Fair at California Baptist University took a different form this fall. Instead of booths filling Stamps Courtyard with representatives from the 60-plus student organizations, the event was held online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Virtual Club Fair took place Sept. 7-10 on Instagram. Community Life created a virtual club catalog on its Instagram highlights (@cbu_commlife), said Taylor Altizer, assistant director of campus activities in Community Life. Students can sign up for the clubs through InsideCBU, the online portal for CBU students, faculty and staff.

Community Life also hosted Instagram Live segments, teaching students how to start and join clubs as well as interviewing club leaders representing each of the club categories: cultural, co-curricular and academic.

Altizer said clubs have kept their members involved virtually. Clubs are holding game nights, movie nights, tutorials, scientific demonstrations and topical discussions—all online. Additionally, academic clubs are having graduate admissions counselors hold virtual information sessions.

“Clubs give students opportunities for building community, professional development and healthy work and life balance,” Altizer said. “Our club presidents are great at engaging their members and making their club meetings fun and interesting, so I encourage students to check out at least one meeting or event if there is a club that piques their interest.” 

One such club, the Art Club, seeks to connect CBU students from all disciplines with a creative outlet and place to experience different artistic mediums while having fun, said Emme Evans, art therapy studies junior and president of the Art Club. This fall the club has planned virtual workshops that will use mediums such as watercolor, acrylic, collage and clay.

“I think it is important to get connected with a club to experience community, meet new people and learn a new skill or hobby,” Evans said.