Lancer community glad to return to campus life
Riverside, Calif. (Sept. 29, 2021) – When classes at California Baptist University were being delivered mostly by remote instruction, Ellie Dickerson, a film senior, missed the community. Back on campus now, Dickerson said she appreciates participating in campus events and connecting with her professors and peers in a more personal way.
“Both these things are very relationally based, but that is truly what CBU is about. It’s not the campus or buildings that define a school. It is the people and the experiences that shape a university experience,” Dickerson said.
“I am most looking forward to attending the Christmas Tree Lighting and Yule. I’ve always loved the Christmas Tree Lighting and the joy it brings to the student body amidst the stress of finals,” she added. “I have yet to attend Yule during my time at CBU, so I am ecstatic to experience that for the first time.”
Staff members in student services offices are excited for students to be back on campus after being gone for almost 18 months due to the pandemic.
“They are the reason we love doing what we do and bring so much life to the campus,” said Kristin Holderman, director of Community Life. “I think that is true across campus, but especially in our area where we strive to enhance their experience through quality events and programs.”
Community Life is bringing back some favorite traditions such as TWIRP (The Woman Is Required to Pay), Merry & Bright, and Yule. It also plans to have the monthly Commuter Sidewalk Cafes, student clubs programming, and cultural celebrations.
“We hope to bring back programming that is familiar but as with everything during these times we will make any and all adjustments that are necessary to program excellently while abiding by university recommendations,” Holderman said.
Students also are busy playing intramurals. CBU Recreation is offering both esports and in-person sports, such as beach volleyball, flag football, and outdoor basketball this fall, said Tyler Cox, senior director of Campus Recreation.
“As much as the students missed participating in different recreation events, we missed putting them on,” Cox said. “We are looking forward to students being able to make connections on the intramural field, court, or through other recreational programming.”
Chapel started the semester online, with services produced as they were last year. But Spiritual Life is hopeful conditions will allow for in-person at some point, said Dr. John Montgomery, dean of Spiritual Life. Spiritual Life is holding other in-person events, such as SL Night, which offers a message on discipleship, and SL Groups, like a Bible study.
“We are looking forward to connecting with students in person. We spent a lot of time on Zoom last year, but as everyone has discovered, it is just not the same as face-to-face interactions,” Montgomery said.
Scott Rydelski, a theatre and comedic arts senior, said he appreciates that live events from theatre to sports are coming back to campus.
“Watching our volleyball and basketball teams play is one of my favorite activities to do on campus and it's one of my favorite ways that our campus comes together,” Rydelski said.
While Christian Semon, a civil engineering senior, lived on campus last year and had in-person labs, he said it was not the same with few students on campus.
“I love that everyone is back, and it seems like everyone is more appreciative of being at a campus like CBU,” Semon said. “I am looking forward most to intramurals and sports with fans being back. Sports are not the same on TV. Being able to experience the Events Center or Van Dyne Gym with students cheering on basketball or volleyball is really special.”
Hannah Tudor, a public relations junior, said she is looking forward to events such as Midnight Madness and Festival of Colors.
“These events bring us together as a Lancer Nation,” Tudor said. “I really appreciate the CBU community. Waking up each day and getting to walk around a lively campus helps me be more productive.”