Bradley University is welcoming its students back for the Fall 2022 semester this week, and student organizations are gearing up for the highly anticipated Activities Fair. After two years of COVID-19 rules and precautions, clubs are now able to plan meetings and events without many restrictions.
The university masking requirements were lifted in the spring. The opportunity to have a full, restriction-free semester has Bradley’s biggest event coordinator, the Activities Council of Bradley University (ACBU), preparing for new members and new events.
ACBU is responsible for many of the large-scale events that students are involved in, such as Late Night BU, Homecoming Week, and putting on the yearly Recess concert.
ACBU president and senior Makayla Horn started at Bradley in 2019 and joined ACBU in the spring semester of 2020. She said the club never stopped holding events while restrictions were in place.
Like Horn, many members maintained their involvement in ACBU despite the lockdowns.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is flexibility and being able to adapt," Horn said.
ACBU is back in full swing, and is planning on more student outreach at the Activities Fair on Saturday.
“We realized we can reach students a lot better when we are in person," Horn said.
To remain on top of these new opportunities, ACBU has added a few new staffers to the team, including a second homecoming coordinator, said Horn.
“We did incorporate a diversity, equity and inclusion lead, and so they’re trying to collaborate more with other organizations on campus to make sure we are being as inclusive as possible," she said.
ACBU has a large presence at every campus event, and the plan for outreach is only beginning. The Activities Fair is an opportunity for all clubs to talk directly to new students, and ACBU champions this method.
“Giving people the opportunity to get involved in something that is not major-related is like a fun brain break," said Horn, noting that giving people free things is a great way to raise awareness.
The fall semester Activities Fair will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27
