This year there are 57 registered university clubs on the CBNU campus. These clubs were initiated for the student body allowing them to participate in various activities including liberal arts, culture arts, volunteer work, religious activities, physical activities and education. However, because of the seriousness of the COVID-19, various changes have been made, such as outdoor activities and group activities being limited. In addition, COVID-19 is causing logistical problems for club management. With this in mind the CBT reporter interviewed Kim Yi-young (College of political science & international relations), who is serving as the chairman of the CBNU central club association DODAM.



1. Please introduce the CBNU central club association DODAM

  First of all, DODAM, which is the CBNU general club association, is a central autonomous organization that conducts work related to the 57 clubs in the school. This includes producing programs, events, and welfare programs according to each club’s characteristics and activities. Currently, the association is composed of 6 executive bureaus. The division operation bureau which coordinates the club’s subdivision and conducts related tasks, the secretariat which is for overall administration and budget management, the foreign cooperation bureau which fosters relationships between DODAM and other companies, the planning bureau which plans overall projects and manages pledges, the public relations bureau which promotes the projects and produce promotional materials and the welfare bureau which manages facilities and commodity lending.

2. Due to COVID-19, this CBT reporter has expected that there were many setbacks in club recruitment and activities. Which activities are proceeding as planned?

  The biggest event for promoting the school’s central club is an outdoor fair held for a couple of days every semester. On this occasion clubs are given the opportunity to have exhibition stalls on central campus. However, due to COVID-19, CBNU has changed to mostly the non-face-to-face lectures, so it became near impossible to recruit students using the same promotion booths as before. In this case, in late September, the association held an online central club promotion event through SNS to distribute online applications, display posters on campus, and recruit central club members through QR codes.
  In the previously planned second semester programs, there were volunteer activities and a film festival for central club members, but many restrictions are expected and are currently being revised. Therefore, to proceed with these events, the association will switch to non-face-to-face options and alternative activities. Also, since the 2nd student center is closed, members of the central club cannot use that building. Therefore, we are planning to open the 2nd student center temporarily and then proceed with the next projects.

3. Will there be any events for students who cannot be on campus due to COVID-19?

  I think the club activities are the most anticipated part for freshmen when they enter the university. However, we currently only offer only non-face-to-face, club activities which are limited and difficult to participate in. Therefore, the association is striving to provide ideas to clubs for non-face-to-face activities, and provide the necessary supplies and support for events for new club members.
  Also, at the end of September, the association held an online club promotion promoting activities like mystery games, and psychological tests with many prizes. So CBNU students could participate in these events on SNS, and gain promotional information about the central clubs. Currently, we are also holding an event called Happy Wednesday the last Wednesday of every month. Please check the SNS of the DODAM general club association for more information. I hope it will be an opportunity for students to participate and create a relationship with the central club.

4. Finally, is there anything more you want to say to CBNU students?

  Currently, there are many restrictions on studies and club activities due to COVID-19. Therefore, the general club association has entered a new phase and is working hard on promoting the various clubs and activities. I hope that CBNU students pay a lot of attention to the central club and participate in various activities. Thank you.

By Choi Jin-hyeok
jh41@cbnu.ac.kr