By Dayna Mulder
Anime Addicts is one of many student organizations that has resumed in-person meetings this fall at Western Michigan University.
Student organizations meeting in person are required to have their attendees wear masks, check their vaccination status badges, and meet outside when possible to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, said Chris Sligh, 45, the director of student engagement at Western Michigan University.
Anime Addicts decided to meet in person to enable students to socialize over their common interest in anime following a long period of isolation, said co-president Diane Van Treeck, 19. Anime Addicts was unable to meet in person last spring due to restrictions and safety guidelines following the spread of COVID-19. This semester, the organization is making an effort to meet in person after a unanimous vote by club members, said Van Treeck.
The personal interactions, laughter, and comments members share while enjoying each other’s company are what make it valuable to meet in person, said co-president Arriel Johnson, 23. “It’s a good place to make friends,” said member Toria Klungle, 20.
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- Anime Addicts Co-President Diane Van Treeck, 19, ensures the online stream is working before the weekly meeting of the club at the Bernhard Center Faculty Lounge on the campus of Western Michigan University on Sept. 25, 2021. Anime Addicts streamed its first meeting of the semester on Discord for any students who couldn’t attend in person or didn’t feel comfortable doing so.
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- Members of Anime Addicts enjoy watching “New Game!”, a show about a high school graduate working as a character designer.
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- Anime Addicts Co-President Arriel Johnson, 23, gives a brief introduction to club members during a weekly meeting at the Bernhard Center Faculty Lounge on the campus of Western Michigan University on Sept. 25, 2021.
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- Members of Anime Addicts take a brief intermission from watching anime to chat with each other and relax. The members voted unanimously to return in person.
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- Co-president Diane Van Treeck, 19, sets up the anime lineup for this week’s meeting in the Bernhard Center Faculty Lounge. The group watches anime clips and discusses the style and action.
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- Snacks are provided by members of Anime Addicts for others to enjoy during weekly club meetings.
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- Anime Addicts member Toria Klungle, 20, stays connected with fellow club members between meetings on the social app Discord. The conversations range from telling other group members about how her day is going to planning group trips to Youmacon, an anime convention held in Detroit.
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- Anime Addicts is one of many clubs on the campus of Western Michigan University advertising through posters in dorm hallways that it plans to meet in person this fall.
