SOS Position Description

The Student Orientation Staff is looking for qualified students to help complete our dynamic team for the 2025 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 2025

  • be enrolled in classes full time through December 2025

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 early May to mid July. SOSers are also required to work other special events, such as Welcome Week. 

Program commitments:

SOSers selected for the 2025 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 22, 2024 at 5:00 PM in the Belknap Academic Building.
  2. Staff Development & Training Day: Saturday, January 25, 2025
  3. Student Orientation Staff Conference: This orientation conference is a great way for our staff to learn the importance of their role, how to perform certain aspects of their role, and create impactful staff connections and team development.  Attendance is mandatory for this conference (unless given permission by SOS supervisors. Permission given on a case-by-case basis for academic conflicts). The dates are April 11-13, 2025.
  4. SOSer Development Days & Skit Practice - Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-6:00 pm will be reserved for staff training and development during the spring semester, the time itself is an hour long and will be determined by the availability of the incoming staff. This time will also be held for skit practices. This will begin January 28th and end April 17th.
  5. SOS Retreat - To 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 May 14 - 17, 2025.
  6. 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 12th. The designated residence hall is Belknap Residence Hall.  
  7. Staff Summer Training– Staff training will be May 15 - 27th with no training on the weekend. Staff may be expected to hold some evenings for training.  
  8. Orientation Sessions– Each SOSer will be required to work all freshman orientation dates. Sessions run from the end of May to the beginning of July with a session in August. See Important Dates for details.
  9. 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.
  10. Welcome Week – SOSers are required to work some of the events for this program which occurs the week before classes begin, with their responsibilities starting the Wednesday typically exact 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 well 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. Conference meals and team development.
  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 bottoms), 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 22, 2024 SOS Kick Off Dinner
January 25, 2025 Staff Development & Training Day

Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4:00-6:00 PM*

(beginning January 28, 2025)

*The exact hour block is determined in the Fall.

SOSer Development Days & Skit Practices

(Location TBD)
April 11-13, 2025 Student Orientation Staff Conference
May 12, 2025 SOS Move In
May 12-14, 2025 SOS Retreat
May 15-27, 2025 SOS Summer Training
July 17, 2025 SOS Banquet
July 18, 2025 SOS Move Out

Freshman Orientation Dates for Summer 2025

Session # Dates
Session 1 May 29-30, 2025
Session 2 June 2-3, 2025
Session 3 June 5-6, 2025
Session 4 June 9-10, 2025
Session 5 June 12-13, 2025
Session 6 June 16-17, 2025
Session 7 June 23-24, 2025
Session 8 June 26-27, 2025
Session 9 June 30-July 1, 2025
Session 10 July 2-3, 2025
Session 11 July 7-8, 2025
Session 12 July 10-11, 2025
Session 13 July 14-15, 2025
*Session 14 August 4-5, 2025

*Overnight Freshman Orientation in August is also required.