RIVERSIDE (Jan. 7, 2015)—California Baptist University kicked off the spring 2015 semester this week, beginning with new students arriving for orientation.

Freshman and transfer students moved into residential facilities Sunday, Jan. 4. The following day they attended a welcome session and a welcome luncheon. Afternoon activities included academic panel and academic sessions. Later, students participated in the traditional Kugel Walk. CBU tradition calls for newly enrolled students to touch the Kugel, a floating granite globe structure that symbolizes the Great Commission, as they begin their educational experience at CBU and again on commencement day.

FOCUS groups – short for "First-Year Orientation & Christian University Success" – also began Jan. 5 to help acclimate students to campus life. Those groups will provide support for students as they begin their first semester at CBU.

On Jan. 6, student activities included a Purpose Session, Resource Fair, bowling and dinner at the Tamale Factory in downtown Riverside.

Spring 2015 classes began Jan. 7.