The group met online weekly over the summer, brainstorming ways to engage students with virtual activities and programs. One of the first things they did was to create a weekly newsletter to promote upcoming activities and links to participate in events via TEAMS, WebEx or Blackboard.  Sent out weekly to the students’ college email, this newsletter, according to Student Activities Director Karen Blake, “has helped to engage students in activities while also providing important information about college resources.” 

The SGA and Student Activities began the semester by reaching all new and transfer students during Orientation, which became an entire “Fun Week” with virtual games like “Name that Tune” and an “Open Mic” via Teams. The officers also set up times for new students to talk to them in a virtual “Pen Pal” room in Teams to help ease the anxiety of the new reality of online school. Throughout the fall semester the group created numerous activities for students to participate in and meet fellow students, including Jeopardy, Kahoot Trivia Nights, Constitution Trivia, Masquerade Halloween Contest, Who am I? Famous People Trivia, Campus Conversations with community partners, and many more. They have also provided students with kits for the upcoming Virtual Paint Night hosted by the Art Club, and Virtual Cooking Lessons hosted by our Naugatuck’s Events Management Club and videotaped by our Digital Arts Club. Students also have the opportunity to participate in Fresh Check Day, a mental health “check in” event usually held on campus. Sponsored by Student Activities, the event has an online component sent to their college emails. The students may also reserve free “Fresh Check” support kits to be used at home. 

Formal SGA meetings began on September 23, 2020 via TEAMS and have been very well attended by the student representatives of NVCC.  On average, 28-30 students attend these meetings (see photo).  They meet every Wednesday throughout the semester to discuss student issues, vote on expenditures for events, and appoint students to college committees along with representatives to sit on the SGA Student Senate.  During these meetings, club representatives announce the activities their club is planning during the semester. For example, the Black Student Union promoted Athletes & Activism in the era of Black Lives Matter with Professor Don Sawyer via Blackboard.  Almost 100 students logged on to attend the event according to club advisor Elma Solomon. The Nursing Class 2021 held a food drive and donated funds to purchase turkeys for our student families in need through the NVCC Student Food Pantry. The NVCC student newspaper, The Tamarack, has created a digital newsletter mailed to each student and shared campus wide. The first edition of the semester focused on the 2020 election, with articles written by the students and staff.  Additionally, our Stage Society & Music Society clubs have been rehearsing and planning for a virtual performance before the end of the semester. 

Karen Blake, Student Activities Director, commented on the high level of engagement and creative activities. “As the halfway point of the semester approaches, we are pleased to see so many students so engaged in our virtual campus offerings at NVCC.  Aware of the difficult times we may face in the winter months ahead, these activities demonstrate that we are here to support our students in any way possible.”