By Stu Cleek, Dean of Students Encouraging Students to Connect in Safe and Creative Ways

Westmont is made richer when students are living on campus in community together. Their presence this past month has brought energy, excitement and joy to campus life. Our residence halls are filled again with laughter and we are deeply thankful to have them back on Westmont’s campus these past few weeks. 

Now that students have returned to campus and have moved into the residence halls, Student Life has been hard at work creating opportunities for students to relationally connect. Fostering a sense of belonging is key for student success, which is why this will remain a key priority for residence life and campus life in the upcoming months. We know students will persist academically when they feel connected to the institution and have developed meaningful relationships with peers. Though COVID-19 has created obstacles for how we typically connect as a community, the college is committed to being creative in this time to facilitate social connection. 

When students moved to campus, Residence Life and Campus Life worked to host a variety of initiatives to encourage community connection. Students were invited to participate in virtual section events, first year seminars, small group Orientation groups, and all hall welcome events through Zoom. We also have seen first hand students connecting these first few weeks in safe and responsible ways in the residence halls, physically distanced with face coverings. Students have leaned into the community guidelines, while also seeking ways to capitalize on each of these opportunities as a means for connection. It is clear our students are hungry to connect, and open to new experiences.  

Though we are unable to have planned large social events due to county regulations, Residence Life remains committed to relationship building initiatives. Resident Assistants have been intentionally reaching out to students in their sections inviting them to meals at the Dining Commons, encouraging participation in hobbies such as surfing or spike ball, and making themselves available for one on one connections. Resident Assistants are also working to host virtual section events once a month or serve as hosts in bringing people together in organic physically distanced ways. Our Resident Assistants are faithful in their service, and will work hard to continue to foster connection no matter what limitations might be set in place. 

Additionally, Social Media has served as a creative means for connecting with students. Residence Life staff for weeks have posted on Residence Hall Instagram Stories social conversations and “meet and greet sessions.” Resident Directors hosted virtual hall tours, used instagram to facilitate conversations, and communicate gatherings happening in the halls. We hope to continue to build on this platform to bring people together through virtual means.

Finally, as we lean into this semester we hope to continue to build on these initiatives to continue to bring students together in creative ways. We are working to host Secret Santa, hiking adventures on the surrounding campus trails, and empowering students to embrace small group connections as a means for going deep with people. There is something refreshing about moving away from planned events, to embracing the joys of unplanned connection as a means for authentic relationship building. This is what we want to call our community to as we work through the complexities of COVID-19.

In the end, please know we are committed to promoting community connection this year. We believe it is important for your son and daughters development as a student. So, we will continue to creatively facilitate opportunities for them to develop meaningful friendships, connect with the Westmont community, and develop a network of support as we collectively persevere this year.