WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 00:00:08.045 --> 00:00:12.660 So for us, for operations on the  USU side, we were only gone for a   00:00:12.660 --> 00:00:17.160 little bit during the COVID closures. We supported in very many ways even   00:00:17.160 --> 00:00:21.480 while the campus was vacated. So as we came back to the USU,   00:00:21.480 --> 00:00:25.329 especially during that time, it was  more about focusing on re-population.  00:00:25.329 --> 00:00:29.820 Students coming back for the first time. Staff coming back to work on campus,   00:00:29.820 --> 00:00:34.260 you know, after being gone for so long. It was kind of new territory — you know — how   00:00:34.260 --> 00:00:40.066 people adjusted to being in-person. How  people are adjusted being around other people.  00:00:40.066 --> 00:00:44.746 So that was a really  interesting time for all of us.  00:00:44.746 --> 00:00:50.474 One of the good parts about being back on  campus is definitely being part of a community.  00:00:50.474 --> 00:00:52.962 A supportive community, to add. 00:00:52.962 --> 00:00:55.860 Virtual learning was the hardest for me.  00:00:55.860 --> 00:00:59.882 It definitely was not my learning style at all. 00:00:59.882 --> 00:01:04.406 I came to the Pride Center maybe a little bit after we started — 00:01:04.406 --> 00:01:06.000 I started back on campus. 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:07.740 It was perfect timing.  00:01:07.740 --> 00:01:14.700 So a big thing that CSUN, and specifically the  University Student Union has done — they gave us   00:01:14.700 --> 00:01:19.957 a huge sense of togetherness, and validity. 00:01:19.957 --> 00:01:23.520 I say “validity” to say how you felt was very valid.  00:01:24.600 --> 00:01:30.292 They made sure that — “hey talk  to me offline if you need this”.  00:01:30.406 --> 00:01:37.237 So when I entered, it felt so good to find a  place where there still is community on campus.  00:01:37.237 --> 00:01:43.628 And I can now do the work that I want to do, and  bring even more people into this little community.  00:01:43.628 --> 00:01:46.500 It always takes something, like,  really negative to happen before   00:01:46.500 --> 00:01:51.120 some really good positive things happen. So I think that is one thing that the transition   00:01:51.120 --> 00:01:54.497 back from the pandemic has done for our students. 00:01:54.497 --> 00:01:59.640 It was really hard adjusting back onto campus and   00:01:59.640 --> 00:02:04.731 because I didn't know what to expect being back  onto campus, of like, how things were going to   00:02:04.731 --> 00:02:08.236 be socially, and especially in classrooms. 00:02:08.236 --> 00:02:10.755 A lot of people had to overcome a lot of   00:02:10.755 --> 00:02:15.660 different things, and learn a lot of different  things about themselves during the pandemic.  00:02:15.660 --> 00:02:20.040 There was a lot of trial and error  during that time, and so it was great   00:02:20.040 --> 00:02:24.240 time to be able to work with different  individuals from different departments.  00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:29.340 Collaborate in new ways, trying to find just new  opportunities to make people feel comfortable.  00:02:29.340 --> 00:02:33.540 Both students, staff, faculty,  guests — anybody using our facility.  00:02:33.540 --> 00:02:37.980 Especially if it was one of their first times  being back on campus and back around other people.