Keeping Community Connected at UCI

It’s no secret that along with the Coronavirus pandemic also came an onset of many changes to the college experience. Though lectures, discussion sections, and even most labs have been able to transition to a virtual environment through resources such as Zoom, things become a little less obvious when it comes to how to stay involved with clubs. Once, it was easy to hear about upcoming club events through word of mouth, but this has now become a relic of the past.

To keep the community that UCI is known for alive and well, club leaders have had to be creative in their approaches to this year.

Moving to an Online Format

Clubs have been able to continue hosting events through a completely online format. Organizations like Kababayan, for instance, have shifted their announcements to Facebook pages and Instagram posts. On top of their weekly virtual KA-Study hours and regular instagram challenges, Kababayan (or @kabaatuci on Instagram) was able to celebrate Pilipinx-American History Month through movie screenings, virtual workshops, and an online fundraiser through a Super Smash Bros. Tournament.

Being Resourceful

Ballet Folklorico de UCI, a cultural dance club on campus, has had to make many adjustments facing this unique academic year.

“Pre-pandemic we held most if not all of our events, such as practices and socials, in person,” club member Leoang Diaz admits.

Since then, they have adjusted all events to be held on Zoom. However, this was much easier said than done.

Leoang continued, revealing that, “between our dance instructors showing their feet to demonstrate steps and watching the screen to make sure dancers are actually understanding the steps, we had to reinvent our approach to utilizing Zoom.”

Though this transition proved difficult at first, Ballet Folklorico de UCI was able to brilliantly overcome this issue with a unique technique: using multiple devices in order to both teach and monitor dance progress at the same time. On top of that, BFDUCI has created a resource folder for their members to access whenever necessary, in order to practice different techniques asynchronously. 

BFDUCI (@bfduci) accepts new members at any point throughout the academic year and does not have any membership fees! As an organization that promotes Hispanic/Latinx culture, they emphasize that they welcome any and all members to join, regardless of their ethnic or racial background. “If you would like to get involved with us you can begin just by following us on social media and showing up to our practices on Mondays & Wednesdays at 7 p.m. No experience necessary!”

Creating New Spaces

Another club at UCI, Zot Med UCI, is a new pre-med/pre-health organization that seeks to foster growth for students academically, personally, and as future healthcare professionals. Starting a new club always comes with its own obstacles, but this becomes an entirely different ballgame online. Despite this, Zot Med was able to be resourceful, and “has utilized social media platforms, weekly health/medical webinars, guest speakers of different backgrounds/professions, informational flyers, a mentor/mentee program, and online games during weekly Zoom meetings,” says this year’s Social Chair Leanna Bautista.

Most recently, Zot Med hosted guest speaker Dr. Lindsey Minter, who received her PhD in Genes and Development from MD Anderson Cancer Center, to present on various themes in cancer research.

Zot Med UCI also does not have a membership fee, and invites anyone that is interested to fill out their interest form.

Searching Campus Organizations

Clubs both new and old have been able to still provide a surplus of activities for their members to look forward to!

UCI’s Office of Campus Organizations recognized that it may be difficult for students to still get involved in a virtual setting, and so there is now a new, updated system that allows UCI students to search for campus organizations that they may be hoping to join. Through their list of over 640 registered clubs and organizations, students can filter their search by Departments and Programs, Sorority and Fraternity Life, Student Media, Student Governance, and more!

Though COVID-19 has presented many challenges to the way organizations function, these communities are still very much alive and well. Be sure to stay on the lookout for the club that’s right for you, even on an online format!