California Baptist University

A fres h Perspective

A QUICK BITE Freshmen Lani Lee, public relations major, Grace Randall, physical therapist assistant major, Josiab Her, psychology major, and Summer Costello, elementary education major, have lunch at El Monte Grill during their break from classes. Freshmen adjust to unconventional new year

W hile COVID-19 caused many schools to remain closed for the Fall 2020 semester, California Baptist University stayed open to welcome new freshmen. However, staying open meant a drastically different college experience for incoming students. Instead of enjoying Welcome Weekend, CBU held its new student orientation online. With most classes online, nightly temperature checks and new housing restrictions, freshmen who chose to on campus faced unexpected challenges. Still, new students are finding positives through the chaos: spiritual growth, good food, caring resident advisors and a thriving community life. Josiab Her, freshman psychology major, chose CBU because of the school’s response to COVID-19.

“Considering COVID-19 restrictions, CBU is working well and providing what they can in this situation,” Her says. Anna Chiu, freshman actuarial sciences major, praises Residence Life for their efforts to cultivate community despite the changing circumstances. “Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, CBU continues to be as welcoming as possible and I truly appreciate that about them in such times,” she says. “The RAs are wonderful and have done a good job in giving us opportunities for building community.” Though students miss the traditional undergraduate experience, freshman like Chiu know to remain hopeful, trusting that “God is doing something big.”