How clubs keep up during a global pandemic

With very few exceptions, classes at WSU Vancouver are scheduled to go fully online this fall semester. Clubs once operating physically on campus will now be organized online, as students expect to hold meetings and events virtually. Despite the many changes occurring now and possibly the future, clubs are hoping to make fall 2020 a fun semester full of involvement and connecting with students.  

Associated Students of WSU Vancouver 

The Associated Students of Washington State University Vancouver is here for “voicing the students’ needs,” ASWSUV vice president and junior integrated strategic communication major, Armando Antonino, said. 

Since being elected vice president of student government last semester, Antonino has had his hands full with the many changes COVID-19 has influenced. 

“We are going to do an online office space where students drop in anytime they want and senators and executive staff will be there to answer the questions and help them out,” Antonino explained. “We also need to do a special election because we only have five senators out of 11.”

ASWSUV usually sets up booths around campus, encouraging students to vote, but that will have to change this semester. Student campaigns will look a little different as well, as those running for senate will have to upload videos of themselves to social media platforms in order to promote themselves.

“Normally you can put up flyers on campus, [there are also] booths where you can sit and talk about what you are passionate about and get to know the students,” Antonino explained. “However, none of that is really going to be applicable this year.” 

ASWSUV states they are here to help VanCougs at any time, so be sure to contact them if you have any questions or concerns. 

Fashion Club

In addition to his involvement with ASWSUV, Antonino is president of the Fashion Club, which he created three years ago. As of now, Fashion Club plans to continue with regular club meetings and events using virtual platforms.

While embracing its move to online, the Fashion Club intends to continue meetings over Zoom and watch fashion shows together on virtual forums. They also anticipate hosting weekly social media challenges, where students dress up based on a designated theme for the week. Other plans include posting how-to videos and covering subjects like tie-dying, embroidery and how to make COVID-19 masks. 

Be sure to look out for Fashion Club events, as they are open to accepting students of all majors, and are always welcoming new members. 

Creative Writing Club

The Creative Writing Club’s co-president, Sarah Summerhill, is an English major in her last semester at WSU Vancouver and established the club nearly one year ago. Summerhill explained there was a need for the club when she started it and offers a welcoming environment for all writers. 

The Creative Writing Club has shifted primarily to using Instagram as a means to keep their members connected during distanced learning, but they do plan to have bi-weekly Zoom meetings and workshops. The Creative Writing Club also plans to post student works on their Instagram page.

“We want to do a virtual poetry slam thing on Instagram, where we have people send in cool videos of themselves reading their work,” Summerhill explained. “Now they have the opportunity to take videos out in nature or in some cool location. Then we would post those videos and create a virtual poetry slam open mic.”

The Creative Writing Club is accepting all forms of written work, including poetry, short stories and song lyrics. If you want to join the club, they are open to all majors and actively searching for more members.

Neuroscience Club

The Neuroscience Club plans to continue all of its meetings through Zoom this fall semester. The club focuses on outreach and educating others about the brain and other aspects of neuroscience. 

Neuroscience Professor Dale Fortin has been an adviser to the club since it started three years ago. Fortin explained the club focuses on informing others about the brain in an enjoyable way. Last semester, they started offering tutoring services for students in low-level neuroscience classes and established a neuroscience magazine called Conversations with a Neuron, which is a compilation of science article summaries written by students. 

Before the pandemic, the Neuroscience Club would visit various local elementary and high schools to spread knowledge about brain function and anatomy. In-person outreach sessions typically included taking actual human and mouse brains to schools, helping other students familiarize themselves with the body’s most complex organ. 

For fall semester, the club will most likely continue doing virtual outreach sessions, consisting of club members going over PowerPoint slides. The Neuroscience Club is accepting all majors and is always looking to recruit more students. 

Fall 2020 is not turning out to be the semester many students were expecting. But that does not mean it has to lack the amusing elements of student involvement. Having fun together and helping each other, even from a distance, can be a great way to stay positive and feel closer together.