SOS Position Description

The Student Orientation Staff is looking for qualified students to help complete our dynamic team for the 2024 Orientation Season!

 

Being an SOSer is a great way to grow personally and professionally while helping new students transition to UofL. As an SOSer you will mentor and guide new students through the ins and outs of life as a Cardinal. This position is also a great way to make connections to campus. Become an SOSer: Leave your UofL Legacy!

What is an SOSer?

Time commitment

Benefits

Important Dates

What is an SOSer?

Each year a group of enthusiastic and responsible undergraduate students are selected to become members of the Student Orientation Staff.  In this capacity, they serve as resources for new students and their families and assist UofL staff with the planning and implementation of orientation. SOSers are expected to make the Orientation experience an exciting and fun welcome to the UofL community. 

Selection as an SOSer is both a unique honor and rewarding opportunity for personal and professional growth. Recognized by the university administration and faculty for their contributions, this team of leaders has a significant amount of responsibility as well as many privileges. As a vital member of this dynamic team, SOSers enjoy a memorable experience while providing a valuable service to the University of Louisville.

An SOSer provides assistance to new students and parents:

  • Welcome new students and parents to UofL.
  • Develop a rapport with new students and parents/family members, especially with those in their small groups.
  • Help to make new students feel welcome and get involved with the UofL community.
  • Be accessible and willing to share information with parents and students throughout each orientation session.
  • Prepare and conduct well-organized and thorough small group meetings and/or campus tours for new students and their parents.
  • Serve as an academic and social role model at all times.
  • Complete all logistical tasks as requested by the Orientation staff to ensure the program proceeds smoothly and effectively. Assist presenters at scheduled programs, meetings, and sessions throughout orientation.
  • Maintain regular communications with Orientation supervisors and discuss situations that warrant their attention or action.
  • With a positive attitude, participate in all assigned duties of Orientation fully and take initiative with unanticipated tasks or problems.
An SOSer is an academic role model for new students:
  • Communicate information to students about academic resources and student activities/services available at UofL.
  • Assist students with their understanding of academic requirements. SOSers may assist with course scheduling.
  • Educate students about their responsibilities at UofL by explaining university policies and procedures.
  • Help students understand all logistical information in order to ease their transition into university life.
  • SOSers must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.8 once hired.
To be eligible, each candidate must:
  • exhibit leadership potential
  • exhibit a commitment to the University and orientation program goals
  • adhere to a strong code of ethics
  • exhibit strong interpersonal and group presentation skills
  • demonstrate the ability to work with a diverse group of people, including students, parents, faculty and staff
  • be in good judicial standing at the University
  • have a cumulative UofL GPA of 2.8 or higher by the end of the previous semester before applying and Fall AND Spring semesters once hired.  First semester freshmen must have at least a 3.0 high school GPA to apply.
  • be a current undergraduate student until at least December 2024
  • be enrolled in classes full time through December 2024

Accountability:
  • Failure to complete responsibilities or inappropriate conduct may result in a warning, probation, or removal from staff.

What is the time commitment if I become an SOSer?

Although orientation does not occur until the summer, there are many events and training experiences during the fall and spring semesters that SOSers are required to attend. The live-in period of this position begins May 8 until July 12. SOSers are also required to work other special events, such as Welcome Week. 

Program commitments:

SOSers selected for the 2024 summer will be responsible for the following program commitments.  Please discuss any conflicts or questions with the Orientation Programs professional staff ().

  1. SOS Kickoff: Our first official event as an SOSer! November 16, 2023 (location and time TBD)
  2. Staff Development & Training Day: Saturday, January 13, 2024
  3. Southern Region Orientation Workshop (SROW)This orientation conference is a great way to get fresh ideas for our orientation program. Attendance is mandatory (unless given permission by SOS supervisors. Permission given on a case-by-case basis for academic conflicts). Orientation covers conference registration, lodging, and transportation for SOSers attending SROW. SROW is March 8-11 this year, more information on location to come.
  4. SROW Workday: March 2, 2024. We will spend this time preparing for SROW and what to expect. This date is subject t change based on the dates for SROW.
  5. SOSer Development Days & Skit Practice - Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 pm will be reserved for staff training and development during the spring semester. This time will also be held for skit practices. This will begin the first week of the spring semester (January 9) and end the week before finals week (April 18).
  6. SOS RetreatTo kick off the summer and bond as a team, we will have an off-campus overnight retreat leading up to training. Retreat will take place on May 9-11, 2024. 
  7. On-Campus Residence Hall – All staff members are required to stay overnight in the designated residence hall during training weeks and the evenings before and during orientation sessions. Move-in will take place May 8, 2024. The designated residence hall is Belknap Residence Hall.  
  8. Training Week– Training week will be Monday, May 13 – Wednesday, May 22 with no training on the weekend. Staff may be expected to hold some evenings for training.  
  9. Orientation Sessions– Each SOSer will be required to work all freshman orientation dates. Sessions typically run from the end of May to the beginning of July with a session in August. See Important Dates for details.
  10. Virtual Outreach- In July and August, SOSers will stay connected with students using group message (GroupMe, Slack, Facebook Campus, etc) and will send information each week to their students and respond to questions as they arise. Outreach will also include Cards Connection emails.
  11. Welcome Week – SOSers are required to work some of the events for this program which occurs the week before classes begin. Dates and times TBD.  

Time Off in the Summer- SOSers will be given a schedule of assigned tasks, but are expected to be available at all times during orientation.  Any time off must be discussed with supervisors in advance.

Outside Employment- Unless arrangements are made ahead of time, no other employment is allowed that would conflict with any orientation commitments. 

Academic Work - SOSers cannot take courses during Summer Session I or Summer Session II.

What are the benefits of being an SOSer?

As a member of the Student Orientation Staff, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the University of Louisville community and share what you love about our campus with incoming students. SOSers work hard and gain professional and leadership experience along the way. The Student Orientation Staff has a rich history on UofL’s campus of being a tight-knit group of students who work as a team, support one another, and have an exceptional summer experience while making an impact on the incoming freshman class. 

Compensation:

  1. Each SOSer will be paid on a bi-weekly basis over the course of the summer. SOSers will make $15/hour during the summer cycle. 
  2. Meals will be provided during Orientation sessions and a few meals during training weeks.
  3. Expenses paid to attend the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop, excluding some meals.
  4. Double Room on-campus will be provided during training and Orientation sessions.
  5. Staff shirts, nametags, and backpacks will be provided.*
  6. Significant leadership experience.
  7. Opportunity for developing professional relationships with faculty, staff and students.

*Note that SOSers will be responsible for providing some elements of their uniform (including your shoes and shorts), personal items for living in the residence hall, and materials for skit practice. SOSers are occasionally responsible for minimal costs associated with driving/carpooling to staff retreats and staff social outings. Please email if you have any questions or concerns about this preventing your ability to participate in the SOS program.

Important Dates  

Date Event
November 16, 2023 SOS Kick Off Dinner
January 13, 2024 Staff Development & Training Day

Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 PM

(beginning January 9, 2024)

SOSer Development Days & Skit Practices

(Davidson 104 & Strickler 101)

March 2, 2024 SROW Workday
March 8-11, 2024 Southern Regional Orientation Workshop (SROW)
May 8, 2024 SOS Move In
May 9-11, 2024 SOS Retreat
May 13-22, 2024 SOS Training
July 11, 2024 SOS Banquet
July 12, 2024 SOS Move Out

Freshman Orientation Dates for Summer 2024

Session # Dates
Session 1 May 23-24
Session 2 May 28-29
Session 3 May 30-31
Session 4 June 3-4
Session 5 June 6-7
Session 6 June 10-11
Session 7 June 13-14
Session 8 June 17-18
Session 9 June 20-21
Session 10 June 24-25

Session 11

June 27-28

Session 12

July 1-2

Session 13

Session 14

July 8-9

August 1-2

*Overnight Freshman Orientation in August is also required.