Participating in campus groups is a significant aspect of college life. Campus groups provide many benefits for students, such as friendship, responsibility, a broadened worldview, and skills development. However, campus students are not the only attendees at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. There are still nontraditional students to consider, such as online and veteran students. Where do these students fit in with campus-focused groups?
The answer is—all of them. More than most, campus-focused groups offer the option to meet online. Ponika Bhandari, Program Manager for Yellowjacket Activities Crew, said, “Most of our programs are in person. We tried in the past to have some online programs, but we did not have a great turnout. Some online programs included trivia, cahoots, and all sorts of things.”
This is not the only group that has said something similar. Ella Hill, President of Amnesty International at UWS, said, “. . .We are trying to start doing tabling to get more people and then also doing what one of my club members likes to call online chats where you open it up more to online students. And be like, yeah, just come online and have coffee with us and talk to us about human rights and stuff like that.”
However, what is being contemplated is how to reestablish that human connection with online students. “Cause its easier to have somebody in person and be like sign up for our email list and well like email you consistently,” said Hill.
This is a subsequent challenge to many collaborations because the culture for online students is asynchronous. “… also the outcome is not very good. For example, if we were investing a lot in a program and we did not have as many students getting involved, I think that also kind of creates a gap of.. Oh yes, we really want to do this, but will it really be worth it,” Bhandari said.
This is not to say collaborations are giving up, but an outreach that all college students, whether in attendance or not, are encouraged to participate in clubs, organizations, or programs at UWS. “…being involved on campus is not only just having like of course there’s the man factor of having fun and all that, but it really is important for them to understand that this. Ok, this event is happening on campus. That shows the campus cares about students. Hence, we have a department for it. We are here for you,” said Bhandari.
It is important for campus-focused groups to consider the inclusion of nontraditional students such as online and veteran students. While there are challenges in engaging online students, efforts to create opportunities for online participation and bridge the gap are crucial. It is essential for all college students, whether on campus or not, to feel encouraged to participate in clubs, organizations, or programs.
By fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion, the university can demonstrate its care and support for all students, regardless of their mode of attendance. Efforts to adapt and reach out to online students can ultimately enrich the college experience for everyone involved.
