“Belonging” is a word often uttered on Asbury’s campus. Many chapel speakers address the subject, as Jeannie Banter, Assistant Director of Spiritual Life, did last week. The message is also often reiterated by Admissions Office staff and Student Development. While the term can feel vague at times, the institution has sought tangible ways to implement the ideal in their programming.
To help new students adjust to life on campus they are placed in groups through the Transition and Guidance (TAG) program. These groups serve as orientation groups during Welcome Week.
However, the program extends beyond what a typical orientation group would handle. These students can remain connected throughout their first semester via a variety of programming offered by their TAG leaders.
The goal behind the program is to foster a smoother transition from high school to college life. Students know they have a group of people to which they can ask questions from their first few weeks. After that it offers the opportunity for deeper relationships.
Under normal circumstances, absent of COVID-19 restrictions, Welcome Week is packed with activities to ensure new students have been thoroughly exposed to the different aspects of campus. When classes start the following week, they are hopefully comfortable enough with each other and their surroundings to focus on the next step and succeed academically.
The TAG program shows Asbury’s commitment to student belonging, but the pandemic has presented some new challenges. Welcome Week was significantly shortened as many events were canceled or altered based on the guidelines.
Making friends while the threat of the coronavirus looms can be difficult. Social distancing measures mean simple things such as having a meal together must be done with added caution. Even opportunities to meet new people in class are limited as many classes operate under the Hy-Flex model or have gone fully online.
TAG leaders are doing their best to insure their “taggies” do not get left behind during this time. Many TAG leaders have acknowledged the connections made between their students may be particularly special during these unprecedented times. As events are planned, the guidelines must always be considered. Making use of outdoor spaces has helped as some groups hosted distanced events.
“We have been lucky to be able to plan events that are COVID friendly,” said Keren Keener, leader of TAG Group 22. “We hosted a socially distanced bonfire and so far that has been our most well received event … students said they really enjoyed it.” Even though the pandemic has limited many things, friendships and deep connections do not have to be one of them. New students seeking to find others to spend their time with inevitably find them. TAG offers the chance to begin a network, but the work certainly does not stop there. TAG is fundamentally a launching point that students can expand to make the most of their college experience.
