When students think about what makes Trinity special, you often hear about close relationships with faculty, myriad opportunities to learn and explore, and the vibrant campus life. But what does a vibrant campus life “look like” when we aren’t physically on campus? In the last month we have been inspired by the creativity and ingenuity of students and student organizations as they developed new ways to connect amidst the challenges they face.
How are students finding ways to “be together” from afar?
The Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) community is continuing Jersey Mondays, a Trinity tradition utilized by hundreds of students per week to showcase their support for one another and the FSL community as a whole. FSL students convey their organizational spirit by showing up to Monday classes (via zoom) or virtual hangouts with their friends decked out in their organizational jerseys.
The Student Programming Board is finding new ways to engage students from the comfort of their own homes. SPB polled the student body via Instagram to determine which programs would be most popular and best received by their peers. This resulted in the virtual series "Friday Night Live with SPB" which includes Netflix Watch Parties, the distribution of art kits, and a mentalist. Stay tuned for their live concert with a special guest artist and a live trivia night with winnings up to $300 in Amazon codes in the last few weeks of the semester.
In what ways are student organizations and groups making a difference in each other's lives and in their communities during this unique time?
Previously in April, the Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success shared great resources for Trinity Tigers to help from home in their local communities ranging from donations, making masks, online tutoring, helping at your local food bank, and much more. Everyone can do something, no matter how small, including our student organizations!
Tigerthon: Dance Marathon turned their on-site campus event into a virtual fundraiser, and ended up raising over $19,000 in support of the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio (CHSA) and Children’s Miracle Network. TigerThon continues to partner with CHSA for online donations.
The Chapel and Spiritual Life Fellows invite the Trinity community to contribute to a “Shared Inspiration” project. Take a video of yourself reciting a poem, scripture, text, or practice that you value and submit it. Watch for your inspiration—and those of your peers—on Instagram.
There are only a few weeks left in the semester! How will you stay engaged in the Trinity community and show your #TigerPride?
- Participate in Student Involvement’s reimagined Milk ‘n’ Cookies event every Thursday on Instagram (@getinvolvedtrinity). Submit a photo to enter a photo contest to win a new Milk n’ Cookies mug and a gift card to a local restaurant.
- Keep up with Trinity news. Subscribe to the Trinitonian newsletter and read the Trinitonian online.
- Check out the LeeRoy e-newsletter on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to learn about what’s happening “on campus” and how to participate.
- Follow Student Involvement on Instagram and tag @getinvolvedtrinity so we can share what your organization is up to!
- Recognize a student organization and submit a nomination for the LeeRoys Student Organization Excellence Awards. Nominations are open until Friday, May 1.
- Visit Student Involvement Zoom Open Office Hours on Wednesdays from 2-4 pm. Follow us on social for the link.
Esther Kim, assistant director for Orientation Programs; Wills Brown, assistant director for Fraternity and Sorority Life and Coates Student Center; Shannon Twumasi, coordinator for Student Programs; and Katharine Martin, coordinator for Student-edited Publications, contributed to this article.
This article is part of a series aimed to help students, faculty, and staff manage distance learning, working, and living during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information and resources for student organizations, visit gotu.us/covid19.
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