O'CONNELL HOUSE STUDENT UNION AT BOSTON COLLEGE
Staff Selection Information
Application Deadlines:
Completed applications must be submitted to the Student Programs Office, Campanella Way 242,
by Wednesday, February, 11th, 2009 by 5pm. Each applicant should also print a copy of his/her
degree audit from U-View and submit it with the application in a sealed envelope by this date.
(You DO NOT need to get an official transcript!)
Information on the applications should be complete and include any past co-curricular leadership
involvement in student programs (high school or BC), special training programs, conferences and
all relevant work experience. Please attach any samples of your activities experience, artwork, etc.
that could help the committee in reviewing your application.
Two recommendation forms are included in this packet. Please have your reference sources send
the completed forms and/or letters to Weekend Programming Administrator, Sharon
Blumenstock by the application due date, Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 in a separate
envelope with their signatures across the seal.
Selection Process:
Applications will be carefully reviewed by the Student Programs Office. Your candidacy will be
based on your written application, your interview with the SPO, a judicial background review, and
the academic GPA requirement. Interviews with Assistant Dean, Mark Miceli, Weekend
Programming Administrator, Sharon Blumenstock (and current O’Connell House staff) will be in
Campanella Way 242, beginning on Wednesday, February 18th, 2009 and will conclude by
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009. Final Decisions will be made by Friday, February 27th,
2009.
Alternates:
One or two applicants may be selected as alternates, to assume one of the positions at any time if a
manager resigns or cannot fulfill their commitment. Alternates will receive training at the time of
their appointment as manager.
Any questions regarding the selection process or the O'Connell House Student Union should
be addressed to Sharon Blumenstock, Weekend Programming Administrator,
21 Campanella Way 242 • Sharon.blumenstock.1@bc.edu
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APPLICATION for
O'CONNELL HOUSE STUDENT UNION MANAGER
2009-2010
Name:____________________________________________
School:___________________
Major:____________________________________________
Class Year:________________
Eagle Number:_____________________________________
Address (BC):______________________________________
E-Mail:___________________
Phone (BC) #:______________________________________
Home Address - Street:___________________________________________________________________
Town, State, Zip:________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ON SEPARATE TYPED
PAGES AND ATTACH TO THIS APPLICATION.
1. What is your understanding of the role and function of the O'Connell House Student Union at
Boston College?
2. What motivated your decision to apply to be an O'Connell House Manager? What do you know
about O’Connell House that interested you in the position?
3. The O'Connell manager position requires a substantial time commitment throughout the academic
year. What other activities, jobs, academic commitments will you have next year?
4. The O’Connell House holds events each weekend. Name an event you would like to see at the
O’Connell House and explain how you would implement it.
5. If selected, what do you hope to gain from the experience of being on the O’Connell House staff
and what do you think you can contribute to the O’Connell House staff?
6. In a brief paragraph, how would someone (former supervisor, friend, etc.) describe you?
Please feel free to share any additional information that contributes to your candidacy.
The deadline for submitting applications, two reference forms, and a copy of your degree
audit is Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by 5:00pm to Weekend Programming
Administrator, Sharon Blumenstock, Student Programs Office, Campanella Way 242. If
you have any further questions, please contact Sharon Blumenstock at
sharon.blumenstock.1@bc.edu.
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O'Connell House Student Union - Boston College
(Candidate please complete this section)
Recommendation Form
Reference for:___________________________________________________________
Candidate name
 I waive  I do not waive my right to view this reference (check one)
Your signature:__________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------------To the recommender: The student named above has applied for a resident student manager
position at O'Connell House. Working with four other staff members, he/she will be responsible for
the delivery of campus programs and events in an historic mansion. Please comment below on the
qualifications of this student. Name and title of person serving as reference:
____________________________________________________________
1. How long and in what capacity have you known the candidate?
2. Please comment on the candidate's ability to work independently and conversely as part of
a cooperative team.
3. Please rate the following attributes for the candidate:
Above Average
Average
Below Average
Ability to work with
others
Creativity
Openness
Work Habits
Follows Directions
Communication
Skills
Organization
Your signature:________________________________________ Date:_________________
Please add any additional comments on the reverse of this page. Return in an envelope with your
signature across the seal to: Sharon Blumenstock, Weekend Programming Administrator,
SPO, 21 Campanella Way 242, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 by Wednesday,
February 11th, 2009. Thank you for your assistance with our selection.
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O'Connell House Student Union - Boston College
(Candidate please complete this section)
Recommendation Form
Reference for:___________________________________________________________
Candidate name
 I waive  I do not waive my right to view this reference (check one)
Your signature:__________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------------To the recommender: The student named above has applied for a resident student manager
position at O'Connell House. Working with three other staff members, he/she will be responsible for
the delivery of campus programs and events in an historic mansion. Please comment below on the
qualifications of this student. Name and title of person serving as reference:
____________________________________________________________
1. How long and in what capacity have you known the candidate?
2. Please comment on the candidate's ability to work independently and conversely as part of
a cooperative team.
3. Please rate the following attributes for the candidate:
Above Average
Average
Below Average
Ability to work with
others
Creativity
Openness
Work Habits
Follows Directions
Communication
Skills
Organization
Your signature:________________________________________ Date:_________________
Please add any additional comments on the reverse of this page. Return in an envelope with your
signature across the seal to: Sharon Blumenstock, Weekend Programming Administrator,
SPO, 21 Campanella Way 242, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 by Wednesday,
February 11th, 2009. Thank you for your assistance with our selection.
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GENERAL INFORMATION for all O'Connell House Positions:
The O'Connell Student Union is managed by the University; its jurisdiction falls under the Student Programs
Office. For more information regarding O’Connell House, check out the website at www.bc.edu/och
Refer to the University Guide to Student Life, and read the sections on the Student Programs Office and
O'Connell Student Union. Please read this material before your first interview.
There are five student staff members who live and work in O'Connell House. One staff member is on duty at
least one night per week; the weekend schedule is set by the staff according to programming needs. You can
expect to be on duty 10 weekend nights per semester.
Hours of operation traditionally have been 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 8:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Fridays and Saturdays, with extended hours depending upon programs.
Remuneration for Undergraduate Managers includes: room, a small stipend/meal plan - credited to your tuition
bill, and use of kitchen facilities. Local and business telephone service is also included. However, staff
members are required to pay for personal long distance calls.
Federal regulations require all on-campus employment to be monitored by Student Services. Therefore
all O'Connell Staff Members must complete the Financial Aid Form (FAF) and the Boston College
Financial Aid Application and submit copies of your or your parents' most recent Federal Tax Returns
(2008). Room and board and other types of compensation from employment such as O'Connell are used as a
student resource in the need analysis process. It may affect your total financial aid package; e.g., if you are
work-study eligible you may not be eligible to earn a high amount of work-study money while you are an
O'Connell staff person. Please contact Student Services for questions regarding your financial aid package.
GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES for all staff members:
Each staff member will have an area of responsibility - Fiscal, Community Relations Manager, Public
Relations/Publicity and Operations/Programs - for which he/she will be principally accountable;
however, the functional nature of the House makes it essential to have a flexible, cooperative work
pattern, as staff members must be involved in the other major areas of responsibility at various times.
(See attached job descriptions.) General Responsibilities include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Weekly meetings (full staff and 1on1s) with the Weekend Programming Administrator to report
program progress, problems, ideas, etc., and all-important matters and business. Staff
development will also take place during these meetings.
Weekly staff meeting amongst the O'Connell Managerial staff to discuss house concerns, updates,
issues, events and ideas.
Each staff person is expected to sign a contract.
Meeting with University offices such as the SPO, FYE, the Office of Residential Life, the Boston
College Police Department, and Bureau of Conferences and Facilities Services or with related
organizations such as UGBC as needed.
Participation in a planning meeting to take place in April/May before the beginning of your OCH
manager term.
Participation in O'Connell Staff training program to be held in August before the opening of
campus housing. Additionally you must be available for winter planning/training in January.
Participation in the opening days of the fall semester. Staff members should arrive on campus
prior to Opening Weekend to prepare O'Connell for events and to develop program plans for first
semester.
Participation in the Welcome Week Program. In addition to O’Connell House duties, staff
members will be required to help work Welcome Week events at the beginning of the fall
semester.
Review all parts of the O'Connell handbook, to familiarize yourself with both your primary
responsibilities as well as those of your fellow managers.
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10. All O'Connell House Staff are required to learn how to use the sound and lighting systems and any
other House equipment. Training on this equipment will be held during the fall semester staff
training session.
11. O'Connell House staff will program events every Friday and Saturday night of the semester.
12. Work with university clubs and organizations to provide space for programming.
13. Prepare an end-of-the-semester and end-of-the-year report.
*All duties and responsibilities are subject to change throughout the semester.
EVALUATION PROCEDURES
 Each staff person will be evaluated after the completion of the first semester in relation to his/her overall
and specific performance of duties, as stated in the "Duties and Responsibilities" section of the contract.
Staff are expected to give and receive feedback on the overall O'Connell experience and to make
recommendations for improvement. The Student Programs Office reserves the right to terminate an
appointment after written warning/s.

Each staff person must maintain a GPA of 2.5 throughout their selection process and tenure.

Each staff person is required to adhere to the University Conduct Code outlined in the Guide to Student
Life at all times. Violation may result in a removal from the house staff.

Staff members must hand in all keys and vacate their rooms immediately following commencement (unless
prior arrangements have been made).
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2009-2010 O’Connell House Manager Job Descriptions
Assistant Manager (publicity)
Job Description
Job Responsibility: The OCH Assistant Manger (publicity) will be responsible for the overall image and marketing
of the OCH as the BC student union.
Specific duties include:
 Creating and maintaining a marketing and branding plan for the OCH
 Create, manage and maintain a strong web presence for the OCH
 Create, manage and maintain a Facebook profile for the OCH
 Update all OCH maintained bulletin boards (in the OCH and McElroy)
 Update promotional messages on the OCH voicemail.
 Update the O’Connell House brochure and letterhead.
 Write all thank-you notes.
 Develop relations with printers (BC Press, Kinko’s, etc.).
 Prepare a report to the Manager at the end of each semester
 All OCH staff members are responsible for events and house publicity
Assistant Managers (events) (Two Positions)
Job Description
Job Responsibility: The OCH Assistant Mangers (events) will be responsible for coordinating all weekly
programming in the OCH.
Specific duties include:
 Coordinate all weekly events in the OCH.
o Develop a programming plan for weekly events
o Coordinate schedule to ensure adequate late night (9pm-1am) weekend programming (Friday and
Saturday nights).
o Liaison with vendors for programs
o Review contracts with vendors (all contracts need Assistant Dean Approval)
o Coordinate with on duty staff to run weekly event
o Publicize weekly events
o Create and manage Facebook events
 Coordinate outreach to other upper campus programmers
o Build relationships with residential hall RD staff
o Build relationships with residential hall RA staff
o Build a relationship with the Nights on the Heights Programming Council
o Attend Nights on the Heights programming council meetings
o Outreach to SPO clubs and organizations that use the OCH
 Prepare a report to the Manager at the end of each semester
 All OCH staff members are responsible for events and house publicity
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