In response to the stay-at-home order issued by Governor J.B. Pritzker on March 20, Saint Xavier’s Campus Life and Campus Ministry transitioned many events online utilizing The Den. Director of Campus Life, Ali Zaharris, was pivotal in planning and implementing these changes. While this was a difficult task to organize given the little time available to make these changes, the Den was still able to keep some of the scheduled events for the remainder of the semester.
According to Zaharris the reason for wanting to continue these events and activities was because “At a time when community and a sense of belonging seem even more important, Campus Life and Campus Ministry felt that teaming up to make sure we still provided virtual space and opportunities for connection was crucial to our mission and the overall university mission.”
Zaharris states “All activities had to shift to a virtual format. Some activities were able to shift to a virtual format, other activities were created from scratch with the virtual format in mind.”
When asked how registered student organizations activities have been affected Paulina Goryl, Executive President of Saint Xavier Council, explained that” School activities have decreased slightly, but we are working really hard by creating the Virtual Programming page to see upcoming events that are happening online and we are trying to keep in contact and engaged with SXU.”
All of this planning is sudden to many, but Zaharris is confident the SXU students and staff. “As with any major adjustment made in a very limited time frame, this adjustment was definitely difficult. However, staff and student leaders are up to the challenge and determined to continue providing virtual programming for students said Zaharris.
When asked if any challenges arose while scheduling any of these events, Zaharris was frank and stated: “Scheduling of events is always difficult; there are many students with many different schedules – so this is a consistent difficulty even for in-person planning during the year.”
When asked if it was more difficult to host online events Goryl stated, “It has and it hasn’t been difficult at the same time. It is not difficult in terms of thinking of an event and hosting it virtually. I think it is more difficult to get people engaged and have people show up to these events. We have to work extra hard to advertise.”
Zaharris said there were no events they planned that they were unable to do. However, when asked if there was anything in particular, she would like to tell the students at SXU, she mentioned: “If you would like to see an event or have an idea, please submit your idea to our virtual programming suggestion form through The Den! Also, if you would like more updates via text, please add your cell phone number to your profile on The Den that way we can reach students easier!”
Goryl adds that everyone should,” Keep checking [their] emails and the virtual programming page to see any upcoming changes and events!” Goryl wants members of the SXU community to understand that they can reach out to the SXC whenever they feel the need to.
“If you have any questions or suggestions, please reach out to anyone at SXC,” Goryl encourages.