In response to the unusual circumstances surrounding the new semester, the Winthrop Division of Student Affairs found a virtual method to engage new students.
On Aug. 25, the Division of Student Affairs held a virtual town hall to discuss how students can be involved this year amidst social distancing and online learning. The meeting covered the goings-on of welcome week, the DSU Fall line-up, the Office of Student Activities, recreational services, residence hall programming, dining, health and counseling services and the Council of Student Leaders.
Vice President of Student Affairs, Sheila Burkhalter, shared her hopes for the outcome of the meeting before the town hall.
“A great deal of effort has gone into making sure that we provide a robust Winthrop student experience no matter the circumstances—virtual or in-person—and we want to make sure that students know about them,” Burkhalter said.
Winthrop students are facing new challenges this year, especially new students who are faced with the challenge of engaging and interacting with classmates amidst social distancing and, for some, online learning. Assistant Dean of Students, Miranda Knight, said, “I would advise students to get to know their classmates either in person or virtually, get out and meet friends if they are on campus, check out the virtual involvement fair and join an organization, even if their meetings are virtual, and to remain safe.”
While this year’s welcome week was held virtually, there were still plenty of events held, such as a trivia night, a Netflix party, an open mic night via Instagram Live and a cultural event, called World of Dance,
featuring The Ballet Inc.
“Throughout the course of the year, we [will] host about 60 to 70 events that range from fun stuff like trivia night, fun stuff like World of Dance, to serious lectures on mental health, to sexuality, to just finding out who you are. So, we try to give you a variety of different things to engage on campus. Although this year is going to look different, we are still doing our job right. So we’re still making sure that you are connected to Winthrop, and you feel like you are a part of what is going on, and you are engaged because that’s really important here and that’s really the Winthrop way, the Winthrop experience,” Director of
Campus Programming, Angelo Geter said.
A first year student and digital information design major, Sydni Dingle, expressed her feelings about how she’ll have to interact with her peers this semester.
“Honestly, it is not the first-year experience I was imagining. However, I feel like everyone is doing the best they can to ensure that students will still be able to engage in a meaningful way, even if that way is virtual.”
During the town hall, Burkhalter said, “I do believe that this group has done their work and that the people of the institution as a whole have done really great work being thoughtful about how they present
this experience to you and so we are extending the invitation tonight. We have extended the invitation as a part of your orientation. We’ll continually extend new opportunities to be involved so we just need you to say an emphatic yes and jump in feet first, head first, whatever your preference, and really take advantage of the opportunities.”
Although this year is not what new students had in mind, Winthrop is taking all of the necessary steps to ensure that new students get the full Winthrop experience.
Photo by Gwen Manten
