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Orientation Volunteers

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Did you love your New Student Orientation experience? Do you want to help make a positive impact on some of the newest members of our community? Then join the NSO team in welcoming the Class of 2027 and transfers in their first days as new Stanford students!

OV Applications have closed. Thank you for your interest, and check back next year!

Overview

Student volunteers make NSO vibrant, energetic, and memorable for the incoming class on their first days on The Farm. All students who register to volunteer will be an OV but you may also consider applying to be a Head OV (HOV) or Community OV (COV).

Note: volunteers cannot simultaneously participate in any programs, trainings, or jobs that occur in mid-September (Residence Staff, SPOT Leaders, Sophomore College, Arts Intensive, Bing Honors College, etc.) All volunteers must also be undergraduate students in good academic standing and enrolled for the 2023-24 academic year.

New for 2023: The Stanford Fund Partnership Program Credit 

Are you a member of a registered student organization that receives funding from The Stanford Fund Partnership Program? If so, you can receive volunteer credit from NSO! All groups receiving TSF funding are asked to complete volunteer hours during the year. Your group's financial officer or TSF coordinator can share more details. Register as an OV with 4-8 of your group members to arrive early, help with NSO, and complete your Partnership Program volunteer hours for the 23-24 academic year.

About the Positions

  • Orientation Volunteers (OVs) play a critical role in welcoming new students by assisting with a wide range of NSO projects and events. OV responsibilities include cheering for students as they arrive on campus, moving new students into their residences, setting up tables and chairs for NSO events, ushering in Memorial Auditorium, assisting with academic sessions, handing out class t-shirts, and much more. OVs work in teams of 5-8 under the supervision of a Head OV. The commitment for OVs begins Sunday, September 17 and runs through the end of NSO, Sunday, September 24, 2023. OV candidates must be prepared to engage in a wide array of responsibilities (both front-line and behind-the-scenes roles) with enthusiasm, a great work ethic, and a positive attitude.
  • Head Orientation Volunteers (HOVs) take on extra responsibility by leading a team of 4-8 volunteers (OVs) during NSO. HOVs guide their teams through NSO prep tasks, move-in day activities, events/programs, and logistical tasks like signage and balloon set-up. HOVs must have strong leadership and interpersonal skills and a willingness to work hard, be assertive, and have fun. The commitment for HOVs begins Sunday, September 17 and runs through the end of NSO, Sunday, September 24, 2023.
  • Community Orientation Volunteers (COVs) assist and work closely with the Community Coordinators (CCs) assigned to each of the ten NSO community programs/centers. Enthusiasm for these communities is crucial if you wish to serve as a COV. COVs also assist with general NSO events. The commitment for COVs begins on Sunday, September 17 and runs through the end of NSO, Sunday, September 24, 2023. (ISOC COVs return on Friday, September 15.)

Perks

Early Arrival Housing and Dining

We couldn't do this without you! In recognition of your work, we will provide early arriving housing and meals for OVs, HOVs, and COVs during the period before your Autumn Quarter housing contract beings. In order to receive early arrival housing and dining benefits, volunteers must commit to their roles for the full duration of NSO training, prep activities, and NSO itself.

OVs, HOVs, and COVs must have on-campus housing for Autumn Quarter 2023 in order to be granted early arrival into their housing assignment. If students do not have on-campus housing for Autumn Quarter, but would still like to participate as orientation volunteers, they must make their own arrangements to be housed locally.

Applications have closed.


Questions?

For questions about the volunteer roles, contact Trista Shideler at tshidele@stanford.edu