NSOP Committee Members

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Application and Selection Information

Thank you for your interest in the 2003 New Student Orientation Program (NSOP). NSOP 2003 will welcome 1,900 new students and their families to Columbia and Barnard and introduce them to each other and to all that the Columbia Barnard community has to offer. But Orientation doesn't happen by itself it's the product of the leadership and energy of over 250 Orientation Leaders, Crew Chiefs, and Committee members.

This packet includes application materials for the Orientation Committee positions only. The material that follows describes the Committee selection process further. The College Activities staff in McIntosh and the Student Development and Activities staff in Lerner are available to answer your questions.

The Orientation Committee will help develop the New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) under the supervision of the College Activities Office and the Student Development and Activities Office, in collaboration with the First Year and Sophomore Academic Advising Center and the Junior Class Center at Columbia and the Dean of Studies Office at Barnard. The Committee will work part time in the Spring semester, then full time in the Summer and throughout the Orientation week. Committee members will receive a $4000 stipend and on campus housing over the Summer.

Application and Selection Timeline

The Selection Committee relies on all applicants to follow the selection timetable carefully. Candidates will be informed of any changes to this schedule during the interview process.

STEP ONE: APPLY AND FILL OUT SCHEDULE AVAILABILITY SHEET (Deadline: February 3)

Your application must be submitted by Monday, February 3, 2003, at 5:00 pm to Student Development and Activities, 515 Lerner Hall (CC/SEAS), or College Activities (BC), 209 McIntosh, depending on your school.

STEP TWO: INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEW (February 6-11)

You will be notified on Wednesday, February 5th if you have been selected for an interview. With this notification, you will be assigned an interview time based on your availability as shown on the availability sheet. All interviews will take place during the period between February 6-11, 2003. Interviews will be conducted by a selection committee made up of activities and deans staff as well as the NSOP Coordinator for your school.

STEP THREE: GROUP INTERVIEW (February 14)

Group interviews will held on Friday, February 14, 2003. You will be assigned a group interview time based on your availability as reported on your availability sheet. Letters informing applicants of final Committee selections will be available at 515 Lerner Hall and 209 McIntosh on Monday, February 17, 2003.

The applications of students who are not accepted for a Committee position but indicate an interest in a Crew Chief and/or Orientation Leader position will be passed onto the appropriate selection committee. No further application will be required.

Important Dates

Orientation Committee members will be expected to participate in the selection process of NSOP Crew Chiefs and Orientation Leaders. Crew Chief interviews are scheduled to take place March 26-31, 2003 and Orientation Leader interviews are scheduled for April 14-18, 2003. In addition, the Committee will be expected to attend Orientation planning meetings and trainings throughout the Spring semester. Dates and times for these meetings will be determined.

There will be a mandatory retreat for Coordinators and all Committee members Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8, 2003, and a one-day training on Saturday, April 5.

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Committee Job Descriptions

Publications Coordinators (1 BC, 1 CC/SEAS)

• Compile, edit and update the Facebook, Schedule Books, Transfer Directory, and other publications as needed.

• Serve as the contact with the outside publisher to establish a printing schedule and set deadlines.

• Work closely with the Technology and Business Coordinator to ensure advertisers for all publications as well as design themes and graphics.

• Design publicity for major NSOP events, including creating a logo, t-shirts, and flyers.

• Maintain a publications notebook for NSOP.

Programming Coordinators (1 BC, 1 CC/SEAS)

• In conjunction with other campus offices, coordinate academic, educational, and social programs for new students, transfers, visitors, 3/2s, and parents.

• Design and implement all joint social events between BC, CC, and SEAS.

• Develop “crew reqs” – an event details and instructions form - to assist in the facilitation of all programming.

• Develop and manage programming budgets, including the coordination of all purchases for programs.

• Coordinate all contracts for performers, and maintain the master program schedule.

• Maintain a programming notebook for NSOP.

• Use creative judgement to shape an evolving Orientation program.

Personnel Coordinators (1 BC, 1 CC/SEAS)

• Develop and implement the selection process for all Crew Chiefs and Orientation Leaders.

• Create Orientation and crew assignments and maintain schedules.

• Maintain communication with all NSOP volunteers throughout the summer.

• Coordinate the early arrival process for all Crew Chiefs and Orientation Leaders, including working with administrative offices.

• Oversee the assignment of Orientation Leader groups.

• Create master schedule of orientation program, including crew chief and orientation leader assignments.

• Disseminate all assignment information in OL Folders, Crew Chief Binders, and Committee Binders.

• Update personnel and mailing lists.

• Coordinate Orientation packet stuffing.

• Assist Coordinators with the Crew Chief and Orientation Leader training.

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Technology and Business Coordinator (1 CC/SEAS)

• Design and maintain the Orientation 2003 website.

• Coordinate the ordering, receipt, storage, and distribution of all purchases and supplies, including the purchase of t-shirts and folders.

• Oversee the process of ticket sales for all orientation ticketed events.

• Coordinate with Publications staff to develop Orientation graphics and themes for publications, t shirts, and publicity.

• Manage the ad solicitation process and maintain financial records.

• Manage the layout of advertisements and design advertisement art as necessary

• Assist publications coordinators with layout and design of publications as needed.

• Assist Publications staff with layout and design of publications as needed.

• Maintain a technology and business notebook for NSOP which will include records of all orders and purchases made as well as any other relevant information collected throughout the spring and summer

• Assist the Committee with general technology issues as appropriate, and serve as office liaison to CCIT.

General Responsibilities

Responsibilities and training of Committee members begin immediately upon selection and continue part time in the Spring semester, full time from the Tuesday after Memorial Day through Orientation, and as needed throughout September for evaluation and follow-up. During the Summer, Committee members may not make other daytime commitments or hold other full time positions including campus volunteer positions such as a tour guide. If Committee members wish to hold other part-time positions, they should touch base with their supervisor(s).

In addition to the above responsibilities, all Committee members share general responsibilities. In the spring, all committee members are expected to attend committee meetings, assist in the selection and training of Crew Chief and Orientation Leaders, and work specific to their position. In the summer, Committee members are expected to assist in a variety of tasks including, but not limited to: publications layout and ad solicitation, brainstorming program ideas, staffing programs during Orientation, and assisting with school nights, mailings, and Crew Chief and Orientation Leader training. The Committee will be responsible for carrying out the mission and vision of NSOP 2003. The Committee will work under the direction of the Student Development and Activities staff and/or the College Activities staff, in collaboration with the First Year and Sophomore Academic Advising Center and Junior Class Center or Dean of Studies Office.

Qualifications

NSOP Committee members should have strong leadership and interpersonal skills, energy, self direction, institutional pride, and enthusiasm for planning Orientation and welcoming new students to Columbia and Barnard. Applicants should have experience or be familiar with the Orientation program as well as a working knowledge of the first year and transfer academic program and Columbia or Barnard campus life. In addition, Business and Publication Coordinators should have experience working with desktop publishing and other computer-based programs and websites, Personnel Coordinators should have experience working with spreadsheets and databases, Program Coordinators should have experience developing and implementing programs, and the Technology and Business Coordinator should have experience with web design and desktop publishing. Applicants must be in good academic standing and should be current juniors, sophomores or first year students.