WVU:: New Student Orientation

2008 Student Assistant Application

The position of a Student Assistant is one that allows a student to make a substantial contribution to WVU and potential WVU students. Student Assistants help new students and their families make a positive transition to West Virginia University. In addition to improving self-confidence, communication skills, and leadership abilities, Student Assistants are some of the best-informed students at WVU. Student Assistants must understand and support the goals and objectives of New Student Orientation. The New Student Orientation office will choose approximately 25 Student Assistants who are current, full-time WVU students (undergraduate or graduate) with at least a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average and who are returning to WVU for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Student Assistants are an integral part of the orientation program at WVU. Student Assistants serve as facilitators, hosts, and as a resource for incoming students (freshman and transfer) and their families. Applicants who are chosen as Student Assistants (returning and new) are required to participate in extensive training during the Spring 2008 semester.

Dates of these training sessions are as follows:

Saturday, March 15, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
2 evenings during March & 2 during April (dates to be announced)
May 27–June 1, 2008

Additional training sessions may be added on an as-needed basis.

Student Assistants are also required to participate in all Orientation Programs (including training sessions). If extenuating circumstances occur, we will handle those as necessary. The dates of Orientation Programs as of January 7, 2008 are as follows:

Saturday, April 26, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
June 2-26, 2007

Student Assistants also have the opportunity to work Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 Orientation, which will take place during the week prior to the start of classes for each term. In addition, Student Assistants are invited to work during Mountaineer Visitation Days (MVDs) during the 2008-2009 academic year.

Student Assistants will be paid as follows:

$7.50 per hour during all training sessions prior to June, Mountaineer Visitation Days, and Local, Spring, and Fall Orientations
$925.00 for new Student Assistants for June 1-30, 2008
$975.00 for returning Student Assistants for June 1-30, 2008

*During Summer Orientation, Student Assistants will also receive:

Most meals
Clothing for work
Optional lodging in a WVU residence hall

**Please note that taxes WILL be deducted from these amounts.

Qualifications desired of a Student Assistant are:

Responsibility, stamina, reliability, creativity, flexibility, dependability, leadership ability, and punctuality
Ability to motivate self and others
Ability to relate to a variety of personality types and diverse groups of people
Confidence in addressing groups of people (students, faculty, parents)
Ability to work closely with others and be a team player
Good interpersonal communication skills
Sense of humor
Familiarity with WVU programs and services
Ability to work under limited supervision

The duties of a Student Assistant are:

To serve as a positive role model for new students and their families.
To act as a resource person to incoming students and families.
To initiate and develop open communication with faculty, advisors, staff, students, and family members attending New Student Orientation.
To work with faculty and staff members, other Student Assistants, and members of WVU administration to facilitate the success of all aspects of New Student Orientation programs.
To lead tours and discussion groups for incoming students and/or parents.
To aid in the development of class schedules and assist in the registration progress.
To serve as a representative of WVU in a variety of situations including social functions and meals.
To assist in preparation, implementation, evaluation, and follow-up of New Student Orientation.
To perform other duties as deemed necessary by the Coordinator of New Student Orientation and/or the Student Chairperson.
To become knowledgeable through training on various aspects of the University.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

All applications must be returned to the 2nd floor of the Purinton House by 4:45pm on Friday Feb. 8 th.
INITIAL SCREENING: After your application is returned to the office, your references will be reviewed and your application evaluated, including your academic and disciplinary records at WVU. If you fit the criteria stated previously, you will be invited to participate in a group interview.
INTERVIEWS: Interviews begin on Monday, February 11. Interviews will be conducted with three applicants and will last approximately 45 minutes. After group interviews have concluded, individual interviews will be conducted on an “as needed basis.” Failure to arrive on time for interviews will result in elimination from the application process.
Approximately 25 applicants will be selected as Student Assistants and some of the remaining applicants will be placed on the alternate list. All applicants will receive notification of these decisions by Monday, February 25, 2008. If you are selected, you will be required to present your social security card and picture ID to WVU Human Resources for payroll purposes.
The application form can be accessed through this link:
http://simpleforms.scripts.wvu.edu/htdocs/nso_application/