Opinion | Creating community in quarantine

Molly Weitzman, lead resident adviser for Residence Life and First Year Experience, senior peace studies and integrated educational studies double major

The Generation Z students that grew up fully submerged in technology are starting to get sick of it. They sit in “Zoom University” for hours on end, and when the day is done, the last thing they want to do is hop back online. So where does that leave their resident advisers (RAs), tasked with engaging their residents in social, academic or cultural activities? 

In August 2020, it was established by the Office of Residence Life and First Year Experience that all programs were to be held virtually to prevent large resident gatherings. RAs took time during our two week training to start brainstorming ways to engage with residents and create a community in our dorm halls. Since then, we have worked to find unique and creative programs for them. 

Residents tapped into their creative sides with painting, assembling Shrinky Dinks, using tie-dye and decorating notebooks or doors for the holiday seasons. They played rounds of JackBox Games, Among Us and watched movies on Netflix Party. Residents had self care sessions, cooking and baking classes, as well as academic support in making course decisions, getting study tips and help with resumes and career goals. However, RAs found that a great program idea on its own would not suffice. So, we stepped up our game in the marketing department. 

We became more familiar using Canva to make Instagram posts and stories, as well as learning to use Instagram Reels. Exploring these new methods to interact virtually through social media helped boost engagement among residents and the Chapman community. Some RAs even host long-term programs, such as the Composting Cuties —a group I lead that partners with Chapman’s Office of Sustainability to utilize multiple posts, stories, reels and a student spotlight system to encourage others to join in.

A new development in the Residence Life department is a virtual Hall Competition, the brainchild of Tyler Lum, an RA at the Sandhu Residence Center. Lum, supported by his staff, created a way for residents to get to know one another through weekly challenges, such as taking a selfie wearing a mask, describing themselves using only GIFs or wearing their floor colors.  This competition has encouraged attendance at RA programs and created a great community in his hall. 

I hope that Chapman students take full advantage of these offered programs. I also hope they recognize that since RAs are all undergraduate students, the time they put into planning, marketing and executing these programs must happen in addition to full course loads, and for many, outside jobs or internships as well. 

RAs like myself have put an exponential amount of effort into our roles this year. It remains my goal to continue providing a supportive and engaging environment for everyone under my care, despite navigating a pandemic and online school myself.