Student Leadership & Involvement Center

Universal Design: When engaging in virtual spaces and/or activities, consider the principles of Universal Design to ensure it can be accessed, understood, and used to the greatest extent possible by all people. Consider the following when implementing accessibility in your virtual program:

• Simple and Intuitive to Use: The overall program or activity can be used and accessed regardless of someone’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
• Perceptible Information: The design of the program or content communicates necessary information effectively to the user.
• Easy to Navigate: Anyone can experience the program or activity, whether they are using a mouse, keyboard, or assistive technology. Consider closed captioning technology, alternative image description, and providing direct links to documents referenced during the program.

It is important to consider access, inclusivity, and location when deciding to hold a virtual program and managing your organization. Organizers should consider any access barriers students may face around software, platform, or application you want to use. 

When designing your program or activity, also consider the following:

• Can you livestream your event? Instagram, Facebook, and Zoom are great tools to allow your members/audience to participate in your in-person events virtually.
• If your program or activity cannot be livestreamed, are you able to record it and upload it for your members/audience to view at a later time?
• Consider any accessibility needs for your event.
• Best practices for your clubs/orgs.

Staying connected is important now, more than ever. Clarify what the platforms will be used for and what is their intended purpose of use. Maintaining clear communication with fellow members and program participants helps in planning and executing digital engagement programs and activities.

Consider the digital safety and wellbeing of members and program participants. Ensure that meetings, programs and communications are conducted in platforms that add layers of security and privacy when possible. Additionally, if the platform you are using allows for RSVPs, this can help minimize the risk of outside individuals interrupting your meeting, activity or program.

Many digital platforms and applications have a safety and security page. Be sure to check this to ensure your program or activity is secure. For example, Zoom: http://zoom.us/security. 

With the help of a fellow organization member or friend, test the technology before use to familiarize yourself with the platform and understand all features and functions available. Consider if the chosen digital platform is the best and most practical way of accomplishing your organization’s/program’s objectives and goals.

• Flyers are a great way to connect with students and share information about your organization and/or upcoming activities.
• If you are looking to reserve a meeting space to host an information session, consider capacity, availability and funding for audio visual needs. (
• Consider hosting an “organization open house” and invite interested students.
• Update your MyPacific profile to reflect your group’s current information. 
• Leverage your social media platforms to create and manage content while connecting with students.
• Collaborate with on-campus departments to share your upcoming program or activity to their audience.
• Utilize the university's event calendar to share your upcoming program or activity; If your event is open to the public or a wide section of the university community (for example, all students, all staff, etc.) you can request to have your event added to the university calendar by a Student Life staff member.

• Identify what format you want to host your meeting in: virtual, in-person or hybrid.
  • Follow up: what do your members feel comfortable with?
• Set an agenda. Establish expectations and outcomes for the meeting.
• Consistency is key. Schedule regular weekly or biweekly meetings at regular set times.
• Break the ice. Consider icebreakers at the start of the meeting.
• Get member input. Create a space for others to provide feedback. Consider asking questions like “what do people think of this?”
• Be secure. Have meeting passwords, waiting rooms, personalized invitations/links to help avoid a “zoom-bomb.
• Resources for running your meetings:
  • Virtual Team Building for Remote Teams
  • Virtual Ice Breakers - Bringing Remote Workers Together
  • 18 Virtual Ice Breakers for Your Zoom Meetings
  • Slack Ultimate Guide for Remote Meetings
  • Five Tips for Virtual Meetings

• One-on-ones. If you are in a leadership role within your organization, consider scheduling one-on-one check-ins with other executive board leaders and members. This is a great way to stay connected and understand the different needs of your group.
• Family groups/clusters. Consider smaller and personal group bonding activities with current and prospective members. This is a great way to help members get to know each other better in a smaller setting.
• Create new roles/rotate responsibilities. Think about rotating daily and weekly tasks (e.g taking meeting minutes) and rotate these amongst members to stay engaged.
• Stay connected with members. Scheduling time to connect with fellow members outside of meetings/programs is important now, more than ever. Consider having virtual “self care” events, movie watch-parties, weekly challenges or a game night via platforms like House Party, Kahoot and JackBox.
• Incorporate Pacific workshops and trainings to engage members with available services and resources at Pacific:
  • Dean of Students Office
  • CAPs
  • CARE
  • CII
  • and more

• Branding: This allows potential members and/or audiences to get a sense of WHO you are. Utilize consistent messaging and images to create a sense of familiarity. Consider what you are offering your members and how this creates a sense of loyalty.
• Community Service: As advisors, we greatly care about each of you, our students and the organizations that you represent. We understand that you want to help those in need. Please, speak with your Advisor and the Pacific Volunteer Center before implementing your service efforts. 
• External Resources: 
  • How To Host a Successful Event (Plus 16 Hosting Tips) | Indeed.com
• Feasibility: To ensure feasibility, it is important to involve your organization members in the planning process for virtual, hybrid and in-person events. Ask yourselves: Who is your audience? How does your program contribute to the University of the Pacific community? What are the goals of your program? How will you measure success? Do you need any additional support, such as moderating comments or utilizing breakout rooms? Also consider:
  • If your program was online, was it more that way? Can it take place in a hybrid format?
  • Does your program or activity rely on food to be present?
  • If hosting an in-person event, what type of space is more effective?
  • Do I need to apply to funding to cover facilities costs, supplies, and/or honoraria, etc.?
• Marketing: Decide who your target audience is and HOW you want to get your message across. 
  • Consider which platforms you are using and the purpose behind them. When marketing your organization and/or programs, ask “do our marketing efforts reach the broadest audience for whom it is appropriate?” Consider using social media and the university's event calendar. If your event is open to the public or a wide section of the university community (for example, all students, all staff, etc.) you can request to have your event added to the university calendar by a Student Life staff member.
  • Set attainable goals for your marketing efforts by utilizing the SMART Goals framework. We recognize, this framework may not work for all campus organizations and we encourage you to research techniques and frameworks that fit your campus organization's needs.
    • S - specific
    • M - measurable
    • A - attainable
    • R - realistic
    • T - time sensitive

Bon Appetit has exclusive rights on campus. Bon Appétit at Pacific offers the Tiger Catering Guide as a cost-effective alternative for Registered Student Organizations at the University of Pacific. Tiger Catering is available exclusively to Registered Student Organizations. Tiger Catering can be picked up at the Marketplace. If you would prefer to have your order delivered, standard delivery fees apply. Please call Catering 209.460.3893 to arrange delivery.

If the Tiger Catering menu does not fit your organization's needs, Bon Appetit will be happy to create a menu to fit your vision & budget. Please contact Catering 209.460.3893 to schedule an appointment.

Your order will include compostable plates, utensils, cups and napkins. Local sales tax applies.

Student Catering

Bon Appetit is the exclusive caterer to the University of the Pacific campus.  As part of having a dedicated food provider for campus, there are specific requirements in our agreement with Bon Appetit.    

1. Bon Appetit has the first right of refusal for ALL catering events over $1,000 on campus.
2. Events of University of the Pacific departments or student groups arranged by and for members of the departments or groups exclusively (and not open to or advertised to those outside the Pacific community) are allowed as long as the cost for the food and beverage is $1000 or less.  (For example a student event, as long as it's $1000 or less.)
3. Bon Appetit is the exclusive caterer for traditional University of the Pacific community-wide events which includes Commencement, HOmecoming, Welcome Weekend, Preview Days, Family Weekend, Open House, University Holiday Party and Staff Appreciation events. External catering is not allowed for non-affiliated University of the Pacific conferences.
4. Bon Appetit is the exclusive caterer for the following rooms located in the Don DeRosa University Center (DUC), President’s House, Presidents Room, Regents Room and Elbert Covell Lounge,
5. Bon Appetit is the exclusive caterer of the DUC.
6. All alcohol service on campus MUST be provided by Bon Appetit. 
7. Catering (including external catering) is not to be resold for fundraising, profit or convenience.
8. Greek Life Houses do not need to go through bon appetit for food, when the event is happening in the house.

Learn more about catering at Pacific. 

Food Trucks

Bon Appetit will allow additional food trucks on campus, as long as the Bon Appetit Eat Truck is included in the event, with the same minimum amounts as the outside food truck.