After 18 months of remote learning, UCLA returned to on campus instruction and activity. The institution welcomed first and second year Bruins to campus for the first time since quarantine. We witnessed students, staff and faculty meet other face to face for the first time after remote instruction. Students sought out opportunities to meet other Bruins and build relationships after the online learning experience. This year, Faculty-In-Residence explored new ways of building community with their teams and communities across the Hill. This year of the FIR program allowed our FIRs to support and engage with students as they transitioned to campus.
August 29th, 2021 - August 31st, 2021
The 2021-22 school year began with our annual FIR training led by the Associate Director of Academics, Idriss Njike, with assistance from the Academics & First-Year Experience leadership team. During this time, the FIR team discussed programming ideas as UCLA transitioned back to the in-person learning environment, while being mindful on the potential student needs that may arise.
Goals for the year included finding ways to safely bring excitement back into the physical learning environment, whilst also engaging with students over Zoom due to the push for hybrid-learning and connect students to campus resources. Programs that were discussed included Taco Tuesdays, Bruin Feud, Margherita Mondays, and the Undergraduate Research Forum were planned at training.
During the 2021-2022 academic year, FIRs taught virtual Fiat Lux courses on topics reflecting the COVID-19 pandemic and the return to campus.
September 17, 2021
Bruin Feud kicked off the 2021-2022 academic year on the Sunset Village Lawn. It was the first social program hosted in person after an entire 18 months of virtual engagement. Bruin Feud is Residential Life's version of Family Feud. The program began in the remote environment as a way for students to connect with one another and was successful in person as well. Students were placed on teams and competed to buzz in and give their best answer. FIRs hosted the program and shared the survey result throughout the night. 52 students attended the program!
More photos here.
