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Creating Belonging Through Campus Events
At Trinity Western University, campus events are more than just social gatherings—they are intentional experiences designed to foster belonging, connection, and holistic student development. Residence Life and campus partners believe that when students feel socially connected, they are more likely to thrive academically, spiritually, and personally.
Events serve as a bridge between students and their community, helping them build relationships, discover their gifts, and engage in meaningful experiences that reflect TWU’s mission to develop godly Christian leaders.
Purpose of Campus Events
The core purpose of campus events is to:
- Cultivate belonging by creating spaces where students feel known, valued, and included.
- Support student wellness through fun, restorative, and relational programming.
- Encourage leadership and creativity by empowering students to plan and lead events.
- Reinforce TWU’s Equipped for Life philosophy, integrating spiritual formation, relational growth, and vocational readiness.
Events are designed with intentionality—balancing fun with formation, and creativity with connection. Whether large-scale or intimate, each event contributes to the vibrant culture of TWU’s campus life.
Types of Events
1. Campus-Wide Events
These are large-scale events planned by Community Facilitators (CFs), TWUSA, International Community Programs (ICP), and other campus groups. They are open to all students and often include:
- Fort Week: A five-day dorm competition that builds pride and unity through games, challenges, and a closing banquet
- Gotcha: A campus-wide tag-style game that encourages strategy and bonding.
- Lunar New Year: A celebration of cultural diversity hosted in collaboration with ICP and Inclusive Excellence.
- Open Mics & Hootenanny: Creative showcases for music, poetry, and performance, often hosted in lounges or auditoriums
These events are designed to unite students across buildings, years, and backgrounds.
2. Building Events
Planned by CFs, RAs, and Apartment Reps, these events focus on residence-level engagement. They include:
- Pancake breakfasts
- Movie nights
- Prayer gatherings
- Theme parties (e.g., Halloween in September, Lip Sync Battles
These events help students connect with their immediate living community and foster a sense of home.
3. Dorm Meetings
Despite the name, dorm meetings are not formal meetings. They are fun, relational gatherings led by RAs and supported by CFs and RDs. Their purpose is:
- Connection: Building relationships through shared stories and activities.
- Spiritual Formation: Devotionals, testimonies, and Alpha-style discussions.
- Leadership Development: Highlighting student leaders and encouraging participation.
Examples include:
- “Hot Seat” Q&A games
- Face mask nights during finals
- Interactive movie nights
Dorm-wide prayer or worship nights
4. Area Events (Floor/Dorm-Based)
These are smaller, more intimate events planned by RAs and CFs for specific dorms or floors. They include:
Designing Events with Purpose
Event planning at TWU follows a thoughtful structure:
- Mission Fit: Events must align with TWU’s values and the Equipped for Life pillars.
- Creativity & Ownership: Students are encouraged to innovate and lead.
- Support & Resources: Staff provide mentorship, forms, and feedback to guide planning.
- Assessment: Success is measured by mission alignment, attendance, and student feedback