Orientation Volunteer and International Student
Mentor Application 2015
UR Orientation Program
The University of Rochester holds a weeklong fall Orientation program for Freshman, Transfer
and Commuter students, as well as a two-day Parent and Family Orientation program. This
Orientation program strives to provide a welcoming environment for new students and their
families as well as expose them to the Rochester Community. During the Orientation Program,
students will learn about the academic and social opportunities available to them during their
time at UR.
Orientation Volunteer and International Student Mentor
Job Description
Orientation Volunteers (OV’s) are responsible for assisting the professional and student
Orientation staff with many aspects of the August 2015 Orientation Programs. Volunteers are
expected to create and maintain a general atmosphere of welcome and helpfulness for incoming
students and their families. You will work with incoming students and their families. Through
this year’s orientation volunteer program you will be responsible for working with a specific
freshman hall through the entire orientation program. Working with your peers allows the
incoming class to experience a strong and positive view of what the University of Rochester
really is!
International Student Mentors (ISM’s) will be the primary point person to provide the
personal attention and guidance required for a new international student to successfully transition
to the UR and to US life. Commitment times will vary beginning in summer through fall
semester.
Job duties will include, but are not limited to:
 Guiding and motivating an assigned hall through their first year orientation program
 Making orientation events fun and exciting for your assigned hall (OV Only)
 Greeting/Directing new students and their parents Orientation at Orientation events
 Attending Orientation and late night events Participating in OV team building exercises
 Troubleshooting problem situations
 Handling registration and check in for students and parents
 Responding to questions about Orientation from freshmen, parents and the campus
community
 Creating and maintaining professional relationships with students, parents and the
campus community
 Building contacts within the Rochester community
 Return to campus by August 20th to move in and begin training
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Orientation Volunteer and International Student Mentor
Job Description, Cont.
In addition to OV duties ISM’s are expected to:
 Mentor a group of approximately 15 new international students from summer through
Fall semester
 Summer responsibilities include virtually welcoming and connecting to new students
 Return to campus on August 19th to move in and begin ISM training
 Move in new students and host welcome dinner with group activities on August 23rd
 Connect with mentees regularly during the fall semester
 Plan group social activities to encourage campus and community connections
 Meet with ISM directors regularly to report on activities
Qualifications
Orientation Volunteer and International Student Mentor applicants must:
 Be currently in good disciplinary and academic standing in The College
 Be registered as a full time student for the Spring and Fall 2015 semesters
 Must have demonstrated campus involvement
 Must have the ability to relate well with a diverse group of people
 Must have energy, creativity and spirit
 Must be flexible
 Must have a sense of humor
 Must be confident in themselves and their abilities
 Must be patient
 Must be a team player
 Must be dependable
 Must be willing to participate in team building activities
 Will be expected to be available to volunteer during the entire Training and Orientation
Program
*Please note:
 D’Lions, Freshman Fellows and RA’s should NOT complete an Orientation
Application, as you will be involved with Residential Life during the
Orientation Volunteer period. If you are not a D’Lion, Freshman Fellow or
RA, but are applying now, you may apply for all positions and make your
decisions upon acceptance.
 All applicants must conclude their summer employment requirements
PRIOR to August 20th to qualify to be an Orientation Volunteer and August
19th to be an International Student Mentor.
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Benefits
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No early move in charges for the 2015-2016 academic year
Free T-Shirt!
Most meals during Orientation Week
Opportunities for developing professional relationships with faculty, staff and students
Learn more about the University of Rochester
An opportunity to make a difference in a new students’ life!
Timeline
ORIENTATION MEET AND GREET
 Attend a Meet and Greet to meet and mingle with former Orientation Volunteers and
International Student Mentors as well as the new 2015 Orientation Leaders!
o March 3rd, 5:30pm in Havens Lounge, Wilson Commons
o March 18th, 6pm in Bridge Lounge, Wilson Commons
APPLICATION DEADLINE
 Monday, March 23rd, 2015 by 5 PM
 Submit completed applications to 312 Lattimore Hall or by email to ur.orientation@gmail.com
NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTENCE
 The 2015 OV’s and ISM’s will be notified via email beginning April 13th
FIRST GROUP MEETING (REQUIRED)
 TBD
TRAINING PERIOD
 Move-In for training: Thursday, August 20th & August 19th for ISMs
 Training: Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd
VOLUNTEER PERIOD
 Sunday, August 23rd through Sunday, August 30th
Please contact the Orientation staff at matthew.spielmann@rochester.edu if you have any questions about
the Orientation Volunteer application and Michael Dedes michael.v.dedes@rochester.edu if you have
questions about the International Student Mentor application.
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Application
Please Note: All sections of the application, including reference contact information, must be filled
out and a resume must be submitted in order for your application to be considered complete.
Incomplete applications will NOT be considered.
Please check which you applying for:
☐ Orientation Volunteer
☐ International Student Mentor & Orientation Volunteer
Personal Information *Please print or type legibly
Name:___________________________________________________________________
Email: __________________________________________________________________
Student ID#: _____________________ Class Year: ______________________
Local Information
CPU Box: _____________________
Residence Hall (Spring 2015): __________________________________________
Cell Phone: _____________________________
Have you been an Orientation Volunteer at UR?
YES
NO
Have you been an International Student Mentor?
YES
NO
Are you a candidate for Freshman Fellow, D’Lion or Residential Adviser?
YES
NO
Which positions are you applying for?
What Orientations have you participated in and in what capacity?
Summer Information
Street Address: ________________________________________________________
City: ______________________ State: _________ Zip: _____________________
Phone: _____________________ Email: ____________________________________
Academic Information
Major(s): _______________________________________________________________
Minor(s) & Clusters:____________________________________________________
Cumulative GPA: ___________________________
Did you enter as a Transfer Student?
YES
NO
Are you an International Student?
YES
NO
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All Candidates: Please respond to each of the following questions
(feel free to attach a typewritten page)
1. Why are you the best possible person to be an orientation volunteer?
2. What activities are you involved in outside of academics and why you chose to be involved
those activities?
3. Describe a situation where you have gone above and beyond to help someone?
4. Describe something your Orientation Volunteer did to help make your Orientation memorable
or one way you want to help to make Orientation memorable for your hall.
5. Write a personal ad! Sell yourself to the Orientation Committee! Be creative and use your
imagination! (Use tweets, video of less than two minutes, Haikus, personal ad, or???) The choice
is yours!
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International Student Mentor Candidates must complete the following
questions as well:
Personal Statement:
Please attach a one page personal statement explaining why you are interested in this
International Student Mentor volunteer position.
Be sure to include the following:
 Do you have any cross-cultural experiences or interests?
 How will you shape new international students first impressions and experiences
to be positive and fulfilling?
 Can you be relied upon to act as a friend, leader and a representative of the UR to
these new students?
You may want to include the following:
 What was your first semester experience like?
 How can you use your experience to help others?
 What would be one or two of the most rewarding aspects of being and
International Student Mentor?
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Resume
Please submit a resume including:
Past Work Experience
Clubs & Activities
Awards, Leadership Positions
Community Engagement
Academic Achievements
Attached Reference Form should be submitted by March
23rd
By submitting this application, I acknowledge that the information contained into this
application is factual and is a realistic assessment of my abilities. Because I recognize
that being an Orientation Volunteer carries with it both privileges and responsibilities, I
hereby give permission to the College Center for Academic Support to obtain information
regarding my academic and student conduct records. I have read the attached
description of my responsibilities and understand that it will serves as my employment
contract if I am hired.
___________________________________________ ________________________
Signature
Date
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE
Monday, March 23rd 2015 by 5 PM
Submit completed applications to 312 Lattimore Hall or by email to ur.orientation@gmail.com
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Reference
Please give the name of one reference among the faculty or staff at the UR. If you would like to
include an additional reference from an employer or supervisor, please do so.
Name:
____________________________________________________
Position/Title Office:
____________________________________________________
Phone:
____________________________________________________
Reference Signature:
____________________________________________________
___________________________________
(Name of Applicant)
The student named above is applying for an Orientation Volunteer/International Student Mentor position.
By signing, the applicant has agreed that this reference is confidential. The applicant will not have access
to the information and comments provided by you.
Applicant Signature ___________________________
PLEASE PRINT
1.)
Please comment on this student’s potential to serve as a Volunteer or Mentor (reliability,
flexibility, judgment, ability to express him/herself verbally, self-confidence, level of maturity).
2.) Is there any additional information including particular strengths or weaknesses that you feel would be
helpful for the selection committee to know?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE
PLEASE RETURN THIS REFERENCE FORM DIRECTLY TO THE CANDIDATE OR MAILED TO
312 LATTIMORE HALL, CARE OF MATTHEW SPIELMANN, IN A SEALED ENVELOPE BY
MARCH 23rd 2015.
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