Spring 2022 semester begins at CBU after brief delay

Riverside, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2022) – California Baptist University welcomed traditional undergraduate students back to classes for the first day of the spring 2022 semester on Jan. 18. The return followed a Spring Welcome event that introduced new freshmen and transfer students to CBU on Jan. 14.

CBU delayed the start of the spring semester by eight days due to a surge of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the southern California region. As classes resume, the campus community continues to follow health and safety protocols designed to help reduce the spread and impact of the virus.

New students moved into residential living areas on Jan. 14. The day included a welcome session that covered CBU’s vision, student services, and how to become involved on campus.

The students also participated in First-Year Experience (FYE) groups, which aims to help new students transition to university life and the CBU community. Gavin Andrew, director of First-Year Experience, said FYE helps students make connections and learn about the various resources available for Lancers to succeed.

Entering CBU during the spring semester, new students may believe that everyone already has an established friend group and feels connected, Andrew said.

“FYE leaders can play a pivotal role for these students and combat these false narratives. They can be that critical connection for a student to help make CBU feel like home,” Andrew said. “Our FYE leaders genuinely go above and beyond to help students feel a part of this campus because they were once new students themselves.”

Jensen Ventura, an aviation flight freshman and transfer student, chose CBU to be closer to friends and family and to grow in areas outside of his major.

“I’m looking forward to the community, to interact with a lot of people from different backgrounds, different goals, different study courses,” Ventura said.

Braelyn Prosser, a graphic design and visual experience freshman transferring to CBU, chose CBU after learning about the program and the community from a faculty member.

“I’m looking forward to pretty much everything,” Prosser said. “I'm excited for the community in the dorms. My previous school didn’t really have a lot of community there, so I'm excited for that. I've heard that my floor is really good.”