TU student organizations move online for fall too

By Kyle Hobstetter on September 8, 2020

With hundreds of student organizations, clubs and activities, Towson University has a vibrant campus life that helps students share interests, meet new friends, connect with new ideas and, most importantly, have fun. 

But what happens when students aren’t on campus? The organizations go to them. 

According to Chris Rindosh, Towson University’s coordinator of student organizations, many groups are moving online for the fall term.

“Students and student leaders should take advantage of all the opportunities that TU has to offer and make the best of their college experience,” Rindosh says. “Student organizations play a crucial role in helping our students find community, so we want to encourage that as best as possible.” 

To that end, The Office of Campus Life will host a Virtual Involvement Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 9, starting at 4 p.m. This fair will introduce students to more than 100 TU student organizations eager for new members.

Interested students can meet virtually with student organizations in the groups’ WebEx or Zoom meeting rooms. 

TU campus leaders are students’ first resources when they want to learn what the groups are like. Here is what some of those student leaders said about being involved at TU:

In the Life

Edmund Savage, senior electronic media & film major from Baltimore
Co-Coordinator for In The Life | Social Media: Instagram 

Q: What is In The Life?

A: Many spaces for Black people can perpetuate forms of trans/homophobia, while many LGBTQIA+ spaces spread racism. Even within TU’s campus, it’s hard navigating college with intersecting identities, and I never felt appreciated as a Black Queer student until I joined In The Life (ITL). It was founded just over 10 years ago to be a space for LGBTQIA+ students of color to grow, talk about issues important to us and discover community.

Q: What has In the Life meant to your time at Towson University?

A: ITL isn’t just a group I enjoy being a part of; it’s my family. I’ve been able to learn and grow as a student, activist and leader. One of the parts I cherish the most is offering support to both Queer students of color on campus and advocating for Queer people of color (QPOC) in my home city of Baltimore. 

Q: How is ITL adapting to the current situation? What programs are you planning for the term?

A: In The Life’s annual drag show is a great way for the TU community to engage with our culture, but our focus will always be to create space for us to connect. We recognize that in order for Queer people of color to thrive, we need each other’s support.

I’m glad to keep in touch with some folks from my extended family, but I’m excited to start having meetings again, even if it’s in a virtual setting. ITL will be meeting on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Most meetings will just be open discussions of a topic, but we are planning some smaller events compared to our drag shows, like a movie night.

Untitled

Linnéa Corona, sophomore pre-nursing major from Cresskill, New Jersey
President | Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube 

Q: How is your acapella group adapting to the current situation? What programs are you planning for the term?

A: Since our organization would normally meet twice a week for rehearsals, we are planning to have virtual rehearsals once a week. This semester we plan to record music professionally and hold a virtual concert at the end of the semester. Although we are not able to meet in person, holding virtual events and recording our music gives us a way to feel like we are still making music together.

Q: Why is it important to continue operating your organization? 

A: It is important because, for a lot of people, music is an outlet for anything negative going on in their life. Especially in times like this, we all need something to bring a smile to our faces. There’s nothing more special than making music with people that feel like my family.  

Q: What would your advice be to a new student or to a student considering joining a club or organization? 

A: My advice would be to just do it! If you are interested, join! There’s no harm in meeting new people and getting to have new experiences; you never know where it will lead you! Being part of any organization will truly change your experience here at Towson for the better. 

Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority

Lexi Lundstedt, senior elementary education major from Frederick, Maryland
President | Social Media: Instagram 

Q: How are you adjusting to the situation, and are you planning events for the term?   

A: We are planning many programs/events for this semester but are keeping in mind that everything can change in a blink of an eye, so we are preparing to adapt these events!

Q: How has the COVID-19 pandemic effected these events, and how are they changed from a "normal" term?  

A: These events are obviously very different. The safety of our members has always been a focus, but it is our main focus now. Most of the events have been moved online to decrease the spread of COVID-19. Although it is not optimal, it is our civic duty to protect ourselves and others so that the spread does not continue. 

Q: Why is it important to continue operating your organization? 

A: One thing that I had heard when the pandemic started was to try to keep as much normalcy in your life as possible. Part of that normalcy is Alpha Gamma Delta. Everyone’s lives have been turned upside down and have endured so much change in a small period of time. Now our members need a support system more than ever, and Alpha Gamma Delta offers that.

Campus Life 

Join a student organization 

Towson University has hundreds of student organizations that represent all aspects of student life: academics, culture, arts, Greek Life, politics, religion and so much more.

To find out more about Towson University’s student organizations, check out Involved@TU for student groups’ contact information, social media links, meeting times, upcoming events and information on how to join.