Contact OFYP

Orientation occurs on various dates between June 9-August 31. The role of the Orientation Leaders is with groups of new freshman students and their parents/guests to educate them on campus resources and student life issues as part of their transition to the University.

Welcome Week is the second step in a first-year student's transition.  First-Year students will move/come to campus and participate in 6 days of programming to assist in their transition to the University. OLs act as liaisons between the Student Program Coordinator/Advisor to the Welcome Week Leaders with regard to expectations, leadership training, specific details and information.

Qualifications
Applicants must be in good academic standing (at, or above a 2.3 GPA) with two completed semesters, not including summer session or post-secondary work, of university or collegiate experience.  First-year students, graduate students, students studying abroad with a departure date prior to September 7, 2010, and students graduating in May 2010 are not eligible to apply.

Orientation Leaders (OLs) are selected based on their ability to work well with others, communicate effectively, and commit to a rigorous schedule.  OLs must display public relations skills and maturity of judgment.  Additionally, OLs need to have patience, flexibility, strong organizational skills, and be willing and ready to learn.  They should be resourceful and capable of assuming a leadership position with little supervision.

Time Commitment
Spring Semester: OLs receive training on issues such as facilitation, sexual violence and health, peer supervision, human diversity, conflict management, communication skills and a variety of leadership topics.  The goal is to challenge individuals both personally in order to develop facilitation skills needed for the position. OLs will also be responsible for the recruitment and training of the Welcome Week Leaders.  Each OL will supervise a group of 14 Welcome Week Leaders.
Time Commitment:

• Mandatory Wednesday meetings from 3:30-7:30 pm, January 20-May 5 (Spring Semester)
• Mandatory Retreat, January 14-16, 2010
• Welcome Week Leader Training Sessions: Sat. Feb. 27, Tues. March 2, Sat. March 27, Tues. March 30, Tues. April 27, and Sat. May 1
• Community Service Project, Saturday, April 17, 2010

Summer:  OLs are expected to attend summer training sessions prior to Orientation and again prior to Welcome Week to receive training on program implementation logistics.  These training sessions includes learning to present workshops, understanding University policies, and becoming more knowledgeable about various organizations and services on campus.

Orientation: The following will be expected of OLs:

• Present programs to large audiences of new students
  
• Facilitate small group discussions
  
• Assist in preparing logistical support of the orientation program
  
• Conduct campus tours
  
• Assist in special programs and accept support duties as needed
  
• Live in a University Residence Hall from May 23-July 16
  
• Time Commitment
• Summer Training – May 24-June 8, Saturdays included
• Freshman Orientation – June 9-July 16, August 19-20, and August 30-31, schedule subject to change
• August: Several Orientation Leaders will be selected to work Transfer Orientation (there is additional compensation for this position) outside of WW requirements. Transfer Orientation dates: 12 dates between June 9 - September 3; specific dates TBD.

Welcome Week: The following will be expected of OLs:

• Prepare & implement training for Welcome Week Leaders
  
• Plan and oversee Work Week activities and projects
  
• Attend Welcome Week and provide support to staff and activities
  
• Present programs to large audiences of new students
  
• Maintain professionalism when working with Leaders and representing OFYP
  
• Complete final program evaluations
  
• Plan and attend post OFYP activities (closure, banquet…)
• Other miscellaneous duties as necessary
• Time Commitment
  • Mandatory Retreat – August 20-21
  • OL Prep Week– August 23-26
  • WWL Prep Week – August 27-31
  • Welcome Week – September 1-6

Compensation
Compentation totaling $3,500 will be paid out in bi-weekly installments beginning the first week of summer training.

Applications
We are no longer accepting applications for 2010. We will begin recruiting 2011 Orientation Leaders in October 2010.

Qualifications

• Solid experience with graphic design programs (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.)
• Familiarity with Web design (Dreamweaver, CMS, HTML, etc.)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn
• Familiarity with MS Office and/or iWork
• Should be detail-orientated and organized
• Interest in strategic communication planning

Preferred Skills but not required

• Familiarity with Flash, digital video and editing
• Familiarity with social networking
• Familiarity with photography (your photos may be used throughout our communications)
• Familiarity with the MyU Web portal, UMCal, and other U of M Web tools

Details

• Internship begins December 2009 (to train in with current Intern) and goes through September 6, 2010
• 10-15 hours per week between the hours of 8-4:30 pm M-F during Spring semester, 20-40 hours per week during the summer (may require some irregular hours)
• Possibility of staying on for Fall 2010
• $10-12/hour (depending on experience)

Applications

• Applicants must be full-time students in good academic and judicial standing
• Spring 2010 graduates are not eligible
• The application process has closed

The responsibility of the Welcome Week Leader position is to help guide freshmen through the Welcome Week program while focusing on providing a quality transitional experience for the students. Welcome Week Leaders will attend spring & summer training, work in pairs and lead groups of freshmen through Welcome Week.  The following is expected of Welcome Week Leaders:

• Create a welcoming and inclusive environment for freshmen
• Facilitate activities and discussion small groups of freshmen
• Lead small group discussions with freshmen
• Track small group attendance and participation
• Assist with New Student Move-In
• Facilitate designated Welcome Week activities
• Support college specific Welcome Week Activities
• Lead and participate in Welcome Week Side Trips
• Lead and participate in Welcome Week Service Projects
• Assist with set-up and take-down of Welcome Week events
• Maintain professionalism when working with first-year students and while representing Orientation & First-Year Programs and the U of M-TC
• Complete final program evaluations
• Attend post Orientation & First-Year Programs activities (closure, etc…)
• Other miscellaneous duties as necessary

Position outcomes:

• Be confident when leading a group of peers
• Increase tolerance of ambiguity
• Gain practical knowledge of the University of Minnesota
• Develop cooperative relationships among the people with whom you work

Requirements:
Welcome Week Leaders are selected based on their attendance, participation and completion of all required training sessions, adherence to University of Minnesota and Welcome Week policies and standards, and the completion of a satisfactory evaluation conducted by Orientation Leaders.  Welcome Week Leaders must demonstrate an ability to work well with others, to communicate effectively, to demonstrate maturity of judgment and to commitment to a rigorous schedule.  Additionally, Welcome Week Leaders need to have patience, flexibility, and strong organizational skills, be willing and ready to learn, and be willing to represent the U of M-TC with pride and respect.

Welcome Week Leaders must be full-time students in good academic standing (at, or above a 2.3 GPA) standing and in good judicial standing with the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity and Housing & Residential Life.  Students studying abroad with a departure date prior to September 7, 2010 and students graduating before or in May 2010 are not eligible to apply.

Applications:
The Welcome Week Leader application will be available online beginning December 14, 2009. 

You will be asked to log in with your x500 and password.  The first three steps of the online process will walk you through the position description and benefits, ask you to complete an application and ask you to sign up for the February training and evaluation session.  Once you attend the February Kick Off session, you will receive more information on training and you will be able to track your status as a WWL through this online page as well. 

Applications are due February 24, 2010.

Training and Evaluation:
Welcome Week Leader Training & Evaluation Sessions:
Welcome Week Leaders receive training on a variety of leadership topics such as facilitation, peer supervision, human diversity, conflict management, communication skills and a variety of other leadership topics.  Training is designed to provide Welcome Week Leaders with a comprehensive, yet flexible training and evaluation schedule. 

Kick Off: About the position
Saturday, February 27, 2010 (Approx. hours 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm)
OR Tuesday, March 2, 2010 (Approx. hours 6pm-9pm)

Leadership & Facilitation Training
Saturday, March 27, 2010 (Approx. hours 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm)
OR Tuesday, March 30, 2010 (Approx. hours 6pm-9pm)

Leadership Training & Closure
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 (Approx. hours 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm)
OR Saturday, May 1, 2010 (Approx. hours 6pm-9pm)

Welcome Week: 
Welcome Week Leaders are expected to return to campus for training four days prior to the start of Welcome Week in order to receive training on program implementation, logistics and small group dynamics.  The training includes learning to facilitate small groups, understanding University policies, and becoming more knowledgeable about various organizations and services on campus.

Welcome Week Leader Prep Week
Friday, August 27-Tuesday, August 31, 2010 (Approx. hours 8am – 11pm)

Welcome Week
Wednesday, September 1–Monday, September 6, 2010 (Approx. hours 8am –11pm)