Colgate University Orientation Link Description
Approximately 65-75 carefully-selected rising sophomores, juniors and seniors will help orient our new students to Colgate and prepare for individual success. Through small and large group experiences, educational programs, and social events, our Orientation Links will increase new student’s familiarity with student life, faculty and academic expectations and opportunities, and our larger Hamilton community.
Orientation Links are diverse in background, in thought, in action, and in life experiences, and exhibit multicultural competency as one of their leadership attributes. Links will be selected who are representative of the diversity we celebrate in our larger Colgate community. In addition, Links are enthusiastic, approachable, dependable, mature, and possesses high integrity and good communication.
- Be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the University.
- Create an inclusive and warm, welcoming environment.
- Serve as an ambassador for Colgate and exceed and maintain a standard of personal conduct consistent with the values, expectations, and responsibilities of Colgate University.
- Be committed to making a difference in the lives of their peers, new students, and their families.
- Display a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and be willing to work the expected and unexpected hours necessary to implement a successful Orientation and Welcome Events.
- Hold peers accountable and set a good example for new students by exhibiting community values and Colgate expectations.
- Possess strong interpersonal and time management skills.
- Adapt to change, maintain high energy, exhibit professionalism and school spirit.
- Serve as a campus guide and resource during orientation, welcome events, as well as throughout the fall semester and in the spring in an informal capacity.
- Role model academic and social behavior reflective of a student leader.
- Attend and actively participate in required Spring and August training.
- Facilitate small group discussion on various topics, including diversity, equity and inclusion, academic expectations, social life at Colgate, involvement, and ways to integrate into the Colgate community.
- Volunteer to co-facilitate a session with professional staff members such as Parent and Family Orientation, Ending Sexual Violence, and Finding Your Balance (alcohol and other drugs and well-being).
- Support Link groups in attending fall trainings and welcome events including, but not limited to, Bystander 1.0, Involvement Fair, and ALANA Palooza.
- Commit to a high level of personal ethics and responsibility, and as such, refrain from engaging in romantic relationships with new students or each other; refrain from consuming alcohol before or during orientation and welcome events activities; refrain from illegal behavior – which includes abiding by New York state law and the Colgate University Student Code of Conduct; and not be absent without notice.
- Links who are involved in Fraternity & Sorority Life will be expected to devote their time and energy to Orientation, and not discuss specific chapter events with new students or at any Orientation trainings/festivities.
- If choosing to use any form of social media, role model appropriate choices and behaviors on public outlets/forums. Be aware that even private accounts may become publicly viewed or shared, and if brought to the attention of staff, will be treated as such.
Link Selection Process
Step 1: Thoroughly review selection process information and application materials.
Confirm that all the dates and times work in your schedule and note if you have any questions about the orientation selection process. All of the dates below are REQUIRED attendance to be a member of the Link team.
Step 2: Required Attendance Dates: Trainings, Orientation, and Welcome Events
Spring Training: Tuesdays: March 19, March 26, April 2, and April 9
Summer Dates:
Saturday, August 17: Link Arrival and Move-In
Sunday, August 18 - Friday, August 23: Link Training
Sunday, August 25 - Wednesday, August 28: Orientation
Thursday, August 29 - Fall Break : Welcome Events
Step 3: Complete the online application
- The application is designed to inform us about an applicant’s background, academic pursuits, and motivation for becoming a Link.
- Students interested in returning to the Link team must reapply.
- Students studying abroad in the Fall 2024 semester are ineligible.
- Link applications are due by Wednesday, January 31 at 11:59 p.m.
- Please note: All applicant's cumulative and semester GPA will be verified and academic and disciplinary records will be reviewed.
Step 4: Participate in a group interview
The group interview process is designed to assess each applicant’s skills related to the Link role including communication and listening, discussion facilitation, flexibility, creativity, and teamwork, in a diverse team environment.
Group Interviews for Link applicants will run concurrently with CL Group Interviews. Students applying for both roles only need to attend one group interview. The group interview times are:
- Monday, February 5: 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, February 6: 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
- Friday, February 9: 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Step 4: Individual Interviews (pending invitation)
A select number of applicants will be invited to continue to the individual interview process. Individual interviews will be conducted by the Lead Link staff and a Colgate staff member. The individual interview process is designed to provide a more detailed insight regarding candidates’ experiences, qualifications, and understanding of the Link role. Individual Interviews will be held from Monday, February 20 until Thursday, March 2.
Students will be notified of selection during the week of March 4.