The Office of New Student Programs is looking for students who are interested in welcoming the Class of 2011 to SMU. Leaders are needed for the summer orientation programs, Academic Advising, Registration and Orientation (AARO) and Mustang Corral.
Students interested in applying must attend an information session, complete an online application and sign up for an interview time. Information sessions are scheduled for March 22 at 12:30 p.m. in Atrium CD, as well as March 27 at 5 p.m. in Portico CD. Applications can be found at www.smu.edu/newstudent and are due by 5 p.m. on March 28. After attending an information session and completing an application, students can sign up for interviews in the Office for New Student Programs on the third floor of Hughes-Trigg.
Both AARO and Mustang Corral are a part of the two-step orientation process for incoming first-years. AARO takes place in the month of July and Mustang Corral is scheduled for August 19-21. Students are required to take part in one of the eleven AARO sessions planned.
“I want every student to come to SMU knowing that they have made the right decision, and I feel that AARO is a key part in initiating that mindset among our new students,” AARO Director Clayton Gregory said.
Students chosen to be AARO leaders will live on campus from June 17 through August 22, with a break from August 5-16. They will receive an $800 stipend as well as room and board for the duration of the summer. Each student will lead a small group of 10 to 12 first-years throughout the two-day sessions. They will help answer questions, lead activities and welcome students and parents. Before the summer they are also required to attend training on April 15 and two AARO classes on April 22 and 28.
“We are looking for AARO leaders who are excited about first-years, passionate about SMU, accepting of everyone, and those who are genuinely interested in connecting first-years to the SMU community. If anyone meets this description, they should apply,” Gregory said.
Mustang Corral leaders are not required to stay on campus during the summer, but they will return early. Required training will occur April 15 as well as August 17. Leaders will also be required to partake in events after Mustang Corral, such as Convocation, the Common Reading discussions and the Involvement Fair.
“Mustang Corral is important because it’s one of the first impressions for first years of the SMU campus and community,” Mustang Corral Director Erin Ramaker said.
Everyone who applies to be an AARO or Mustang Corral leader will be interviewed. Approximately 100 students will be involved with the programs in some way.
Emily Sandvall, coordinator of new student programs, said she’s hoping to have at least a thousand first years attend Mustang Corral this year.
But programming specifically for new students won’t end when classes start. The Encore program is being brought back. It will provide programs for first-years throughout the year.
“It is [the Office of New Student Program’s] hope that through our summer and semester programs new students will find a connection to SMU,” Sandvall said.
