One annual event allows online Washington State University students to meet face-to-face in addition to the virtual classroom.

The Tacoma Rendezvous is an event specifically for WSU online students allowing them to make personal connections with their peers and faculty, said the ASWSU global secretary in an email.

“Tacoma Rendezvous provides an opportunity to actually meet WSU faculty/professors face-to-face and attend lectures hosted by professors,” Secretary Rebecca Stern said.

The Tacoma Rendezvous will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 8 in the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center.

The event is part of WSU’s online program, Global Campus, and is put on by ASWSU Global, Stern said.

Students have the chance to network with the professors and peers they have only previously met virtually, said Erin McIlraith, the marketing and communications coordinator for the Center for Civic Engagement, an organization which is also taking part in the rendezvous.

The event features museum passes, the opportunity to vote for the next ASWSU Global leaders, and a hosted breakfast and lunch, Stern said. There will be a resource fair with UREC, CCE, the Virtual Mentor program, ASWSU Global, Global Connections, and a flip book and photo booth. The CCE will also host a service project.

Students can also receive career counseling from advisors and attend academic seminars to earn credits, Stern said.

The Tacoma Rendezvous packs many different engagement opportunities at WSU into one day, McIlraith said.

“It’s a high-energy, fun event that’s really beneficial for online students to learn more about what is available to them. Giving them this in-person time really allows them to make connections,” McIlraith said.

Online students find it difficult to build relationships with other Cougs, McIlraith said. This day-long event allows them to network with many different WSU groups.

“There’s something to be said to be able to make that in-person contact,” she said.

The rendezvous sets WSU Global apart because it allows students to do more than log into the internet, ASWSU-Online President Brianna Lisenbee said. It is an opportunity for students to build their resume because it shows they do more than virtually attend class, she said.  

The Global Campus is ranked in the top 10 percent of U.S. online degrees, McIlraith said.

“This online degree program allows them to attain their educational dreams, while still continuing to live their lives,” she said.

Attendees can win raffle prizes donated by Cougar alumni, Stern said. Prizes include four Coug swimsuits from Campus Pride Sportswear, five $25 gift certificates to CougarWear.com, two $20 gift cards for Marco Polo Bar & Grill, and two certificates for two rentals from Northwest Paddle Surfers.

Students who register for Tacoma Rendezvous prior to Feb. 28 will be entered into a raffle to win one of five $25 gift certificates for CougarWear.com, she said.

Students can register for the event on the ASWSU Global Campus Facebook page, Twitter or CougSync, Lisenbee said.