ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – Social distancing isn’t stopping Northern State University students from staying connected – thanks to innovative ideas from NSU Student Involvement and Leadership.

The department, along with Northern’s Campus Activities Board, will be offering virtual events for students while they must remain off campus due to the COVID-19 situation. First up is a virtual comedy night with comedian Steve Hofstetter at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 21, said Janie Borkowski, assistant director of NSU Student Involvement and Leadership.

Next up will be a Netflix Watch Party at 7 p.m. March 26. The movie is to be determined, but students can use Google Chrome to download the Netflix Watch Party link, which will allow attendees to chat during the movie.

During the month of April, Borkowski also plans to host live Zoom videoconference events for students, such as virtual charades. Next week, she will hold virtual meetings with the leaders of student clubs and organizations as well as CAB members to discuss more ideas.

Also, ideas for virtual events that students can hold themselves will soon be added to the SIL Webpage. Borkowski stressed that all of this is free, thanks to colleges around the country coming together during this time to share ideas and resources.

Most events will be added to the NSU website calendar, listed as “virtual.” But the best way to stay up to date on all of these offerings, Borkowski said, is to follow the NSU SIL Facebook Page.

For Borkowski, offering these types of events is a way to combat loneliness for students who miss being at Northern. It lets them know that even if they can’t be on campus in person, NSU is still with them in other ways.

“I think that if we keep students connected and keep them involved, it’s going to show them that we’re really in this together,” Borkowski said, “and that the best way to get through this is to find ways to connect, find ways to talk, and find ways to enjoy the time together.”