RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2016)— California Baptist University kicked off the spring 2016 semester this week, starting off with orientation activities for freshman and transfer students.

New students moved into residential facilities Sunday, Jan. 3. The next day they attended a welcome session and luncheon. Later, students participated in the traditional Kugel Walk for newly enrolled students. Tradition calls for students to touch the Kugel, a floating granite globe structure that symbolizes Christ's Great Commission, as they begin their educational experience at CBU.

FOCUS groups – short for "First-Year Orientation & Christian University Success" – began Jan. 4 to help acclimate students to campus life. Those groups will provide support for students as they begin their first semester at CBU.

Other activities planned for the new students included various information sessions, a resource fair and a festive dinner at Medieval Times in Buena Park.

Classes begin for the spring 2016 semester on Jan. 6.