Student Leadership

Metro Orientation Leaders

Every year, the Office of Student Life selects a group of mature and dedicated students to assist with implementing Orientation programs for the summer. Orientation Leaders serve as representatives of Fairleigh Dickinson University; therefore, candidates must exhibit a myriad of skills and qualifications. Through training, and with prior experience, Orientation Leaders are expected to possess knowledge about the University and demonstrate competence in sharing this information with Orientation participants. OLs must be outgoing, articulate, and willing to help incoming students ease into their new environment.

Qualifications:

  • Exhibited leadership potential and/or experience.
  • Be an Ambassador on behalf of Fairleigh Dickinson University with knowledge of and commitment to the mission of the University.
  • Demonstrates interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of team members, students and families.
  • Must be open-minded and willing to step outside of their comfort zone.
  • Willingness to connect with and help retain Fairleigh Dickinson University students.
  • Desire to learn about the University’s people, community, programs, policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrated record of flexibility, responsibility and willingness to assist others.
  • Ability to handle stress.
  • Comfortable speaking publicly in front of large groups of people

Requirements:

  • Have and maintain good academic standing (2.5 GPA minimum)
  • Have and maintain good conduct standing with no outstanding judicial sanctions
  • Undergraduate student or a student enrolled in a 5-year combined degree program at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
  • Must be a registered full-time student for the Fall 2023 semester
  • Must be able to work for the mandatory dates listed below

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Attend and participate in training sessions.
  • Supervise activities for new students attending orientation sessions.
  • Serve as a positive representative of the University to new students and their families.
  • Facilitate new students’ introduction to the University by maintaining an open, helpful attitude and using effective communication techniques.
  • Promote interaction among new students during small group discussions, icebreakers, and meals.
  • Answer student and family questions about social and academic aspects of University life.
  • Facilitate small group interactions on various topics at Orientation.
  • Facilitate activities for new students through direct involvement.
  • Work closely and cooperate with other Orientation Leaders and orientation staff to develop, prepare, implement, and evaluate the orientation programs.
  • Work with professional staff to assist with and support all aspects of the orientation program, including Move-In Day, Continuing Orientation, Student Organization Fair, Transfer Student Orientation (January), and Orientation Leader Information Sessions.
  • Provide administrative support for the program, including preparation of orientation materials.
  • Work in the Office of Student Life (as scheduled) the day before or the day after in-person Orientation dates for four hours.
  • Students are expected to be part of any virtual orientation sessions as well, which can be done remotely

Application Process:

  • Complete the Metro orientation leader online application.
  • Applicants will be contacted for individual interview if invited to move forward in the process
  • Interviews will take place from Monday, March 20, 2023 to Friday, March 31, 2023
  • Attend a Group Process session the week of April 3, 2023
  • Applicants will be notified by April 17, 2023, regarding their application status
  • If selected, Meet and Greet will take place on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, from 3:30 to 5:00 PM, location TBD
  • Training Sessions will occur Monday, May 22, 2023 to Thursday, May 25,2023

New Student Orientation Dates:

  • Tuesday, June 27, 2023
  • Tuesday, July 11, 2023
  • Tuesday, July 25, 2023
  • Tuesday, August 8, 2023
  • Tuesday, August 22, 2023 (Virtual Orientation)
  • Thursday, August 24, 2023 New Student Move In
  • Friday, August 25, 2023 to Saturday, August 26, 2023 Continuing Orientation
  • Sunday August 27, 2023, Upperclassmen Move In

Please email metroorientation@fdu.edu with any questions.

Florham Orientation Leaders

The Office of First-Year Experience and Student Engagement is responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive Orientation Program that welcomes new students and their families to the Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus community. The Orientation Leader assists with facilitating and leading successful interactive and educational training and team development programs. Orientation Leaders demonstrate role model behavior as they set the tone and expectations for the new students and families during Orientation sessions. Orientation Leaders support Orientation team efforts including answering new student and family phone calls, making confirmation phone calls, monitoring Orientation emails, and assisting with administrative requirements as directed by the Office of First-Year Experience and Student Engagement.

Orientation Leaders are responsible for the successful integration of new students and their families into the university community by providing guidance during the transition period. The Orientation team members are expected to demonstrate knowledge of the university, available services, and the many campus resources offered to new students and families. Orientation team members embody the values of the university, representing Fairleigh Dickinson University in a positive, inclusive, and enthusiastic manner.

Orientation Leaders are expected to be present for all Orientation Leader training and Orientation programming preparation, execution, and breakdown/reflection meetings. Orientation Leaders will be present at social programming and team bonding activities during training and team events before orientation sessions. This is done to ensure continuity and to confirm that all required tasks are completed. Due to the large time commitment of the Orientation Leader position as well as the mental and physical demands of the role, Orientation Leaders are discouraged from holding or working elsewhere during training and orientation season. Orientation Leaders are also expected to take vacation or time away from the position before and after Orientation Leader Training and Orientation sessions.

Expectations and Responsibilities

  • Serve as a leader and role model
  • Attend and actively participate in all training and Orientation sessions
    • Including dates in the Spring 2023 semester
    • Including summer training June 12, 2023 – June 23, 2023
    • Including attending team bonding or social activities during training
    • Including attending and being present for all Orientation programming
  • Attend all Orientation sessions (June-August 2023 and January 2024)
    • Orientation Sessions:
      • June 26
      • June 28
      • July 12
      • July 17
      • July 19
      • August 2023 exact date TBD
      • January 2024 exact date TBD
  • Work office hours as directed in the Office of First Year Experience and Student Engagement.
  • Attend and actively participate in August 2023 Move-In Weekend Events (August 24-27)
  • Attend and actively participate in January 2024 Training (at least two days prior to the start of January 2024 orientation – date TBD)
  • Strive to create a dynamic, inclusive, cohesive, and supportive Orientation Leader team through mediating and addressing team conflicts and keeping professional staff informed
  • Work as a team with other Orientation Leaders
  • Work with, learn from, and support all Orientation staff including interns, graduate assistants, and other student & professional staff
  • During regular office hours respond to student and family questions in person, over the phone, and via email in a professional, polite, and charismatic manner
  • Assist with facilitating group or team discussions and activities before, during, and after orientation
  • Be present and visible on campus as directed
  • Abide by and reinforce all university regulations on both a personal and team level
  • Comfortable and proficient communicating with, supporting, and leading team members
  • The ability to be reliable, responsible, helpful, and adaptable
  • The ability to work and communicate effectively with a diverse group of people including new students, families, faculty, and FDU staff
  • Strive to maintain a learning and positive attitude
  • Confident in asking for assistance, clarification, and support
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

  • Undergraduate student or a student enrolled in a 5-year combined degree program at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus
  • Have and maintain good academic standing (2.5 GPA minimum)
  • Have and maintain good conduct standing with no outstanding judicial sanctions
  • Prior on-campus involvement at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus

Questions?     

Contact The Office of First-Year Experience and Student Engagement, florhamorientation@fdu.edu, 973-443-8570

Selection Timeline

  • Applications Due: 2/12/23 at 5pm via https://forms.office.com/r/3Bv9HuYSxT (Florham Orientation Leader Application)
  • Dual Stage Interview Period: 2/27/23 – 3/25/23
  • Offer Letters Sent: 3/31/23
  • Signed Contracts Due: 4/11/23

Resident Assistants

Resident Assistants (RAs) are the face of Housing & Residence Life at FDU. RAs plan community events, enforce university policies, and are tasked with helping the halls feel like home.

We invite you to learn more about the RA role by attending an information session and completing the application for your campus:

The RA application timeline is below, and please note that attendance at an information session is required for your application to be considered complete.

RA application opens: February 1, 2022

Florham Campus Information Sessions (times and location will be up provided in the emails when we start advertising for these meetings):

  • February 4, 2022 8PM to 9:20PM, Sammartino Room
  • February 7, 2022 1PM to 2:20PM, Twombly Lounge
  • February 8, 2022 8PM to 9:20PM Twombly Lounge
  • February 9, 2022 8PM to 9:20PM Twombly Lounge
  • February 13, 2022 1PM to 2:20PM Twombly Lounge
  • February 17, 2022 11AM to 12:15PM Twombly Lounge

Metropolitan Campus Information Sessions via Zoom. Zoom links will be provided in the emails when we start advertising for these meetings:

  • February 4, 2022 at 2:30 PM
  • February 7, 2022 at 9:00 PM
  • February 9, 2022 at 4:00 PM
  • February 13, 2022 at 5:00 PM

Selection Timeline

  • Application closes: February 18, 2022 at 10 AM
  • Application review: February 18 to February 23
  • First Round RA Interviews: February 28 to March 7
  • Second Round Interviews: March 21 to March 25
  • Offers sent out: April 1
  • Decisions due: April 5.

For any questions regarding the respective campus RA selection process, please email: