2 Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Michigan Tech Lode
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NEWS
Michigan Tech Lode
Applicants for Student Life positions await final decision ERIKA VICHCALES Lode Writer Each year at this time of the spring semester, student hopefuls begin to apply for various positions with residential life, COMPASS and summer youth programs (SYP). Students looking to becoming involved with these organizations are asked to attend information sessions before applying. Many students chose this path as their summer and next-semester employment options as a way to enjoy themselves as well as a way of giving back to Michigan Tech. “Those information sessions gave candidates everything they needed to know about the different positions, the requirements, the application process, the interview process, and the selection process; all the different steps of pursuing one of these different student leadership positions on campus,” said Associate Director of Housing and Residential Life, Brad Dupay. Approximately 350 students attended the information sessions, with 200-300 people applying after deciding the job was the right fit for them. Students had the opportunity to apply for multiple positions as long as the positions didn’t overlap. For example, a student could have a position with the SYP and still be an orientation
team leader (OTL) or a residential assistant (RA), though one could not be an OTL and an RA at the same time due to overlapping training and work schedules. “The common selection process that we do has been around longer than I have [been in this position]. It was developed within the division of student affairs to streamline the process for candidates and make it so candidates can get all the information for all of the different positions in student affairs,” said Dupay. “So they could go and talk to people from different areas and see if they were going to be a better fit for a position in housing and residential life or COMPASS. It was made so students wouldn’t have to go through one, or two, or three different interview processes. They could maximize their experience and find the best fit for them.” Following the initial information session, students had to complete an online application, participate in an individual thirty-minute interview with both professional and student staff, and attend a three hour SLATE session, another type of interview. “Really what we are looking for, whether it’s for an RA position, OTL position, or an SYP position, is people’s ability to work in groups, communicate with each other, and have good team dynamics. We want to see what knowledge they
have of the university and what services the university offers. Also to see how they handle themselves in problem solving, critical thinking, creative activities... how they react to those and how they work together to solve those,” said Dupay. Some advice from Dupay for those who are hoping to have a student leadership position is to make sure that he or she is academically strong. No matter what position a student may receive, they are first and foremost a student, so making sure that the focus is on academics is important to those in Housing and Residential Life. Further, getting involved in the university is important, whether it is joining a student organization, being a part of a residential hall government organization, or even joining a sorority or fraternity. “They are building valuable leadership skills and teambuilding skills. That gives them different experiences and perspectives to draw from as a candidate applying for a student leadership position,” said Dupay. Overall the process is coming to a close and the candidates will find out the first week of March whether or not they received the position they applied for. “We are really excited about the students we have seen and figuring out what will be their best fit for next year,” concluded Dupay.