SOUL Position Description

Student Orientation Undergraduate Leaders must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, be enrolled as an undergraduate at Miami during the fall of 2024, and demonstrate strong leadership and integrity. Successful SOUL applicants commonly have strong communication and organization skills, take initiative, contribute positively in a team environment, have empathy, are flexible, are willing to address conflict and seek solutions to individual and team challenges, and show a commitment to diversity by accepting and learning from others while creating an atmosphere of positive engagement. SOULs must initiate conversation with new students and their family members, connect new students with one another, present content on stage and in small groups, and contribute to a positive and inclusive environment. The most successful SOULs approach work with a balance of confidence and teachability, and display empathy and humility.

SOUL applicants must be in good standing with the Office of Community Standards and SOULs must maintain good judicial standing* throughout their employment with Orientation and Transition Programs. SOULs are also required to abide by the Orientation and Transition Programs Student Leader Alcohol Policy (see below for details) and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA throughout their time as a SOUL.  

*A disciplinary record does not automatically exclude candidates from eligibility for the SOUL position. It may, however, warrant a discussion about the appropriateness of your candidacy and could be a factor in employment decisions. Orientation and Transition Programs will verify applicants' academic and disciplinary standing.

• Demonstrate leadership ability as a role model for new Miami students.
• Participate in all aspects of the SOUL position including the EDL 290F 12-week spring course, the spring SOUL Symposium retreat, orientation training sessions, fall semester orientation 2024, Welcome Weekend 2024, spring semester orientation 2025, and Winter Welcome 2025.
• Contribute actively and authentically to the SOUL team.
• Maintain professional relationships with new students and their family members.
• Maintain active openness to new ideas and experiences.
• Display positive, professional, courteous, and friendly behavior.
• Have fun!

• Share your college/Miami experiences with new students and their family members.
• Deliver student life content.
• Participate in question-and-answer panels.
• Actively initiate and engage in conversation with students and families throughout orientation and transition programs.
• Assist students and families with navigating campus.
• Facilitate small group discussions with new students.
• Communicate pertinent information via email with new students.
• Complete relevant administrative tasks.
• Respond professionally to phone, email, chat, and social media communications.
• Live in the residence halls: uphold the policies of these communities and perform safety rounds.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Opportunity to represent Miami University.
• Earnings of approximately $3,500+, which includes pay for:
  • May training and fall semester orientation, including on-call dates (full-time work): May 19 - early July 2024.
  • August 2024: training, August orientation, and Welcome Weekend (full-time work): August 19 - 25, 2024.
  • January 2025: training, spring semester orientation, and Winter Welcome (full-time work): January 21 - 26, 2025.
• Orientation t-shirts, sweatshirt or jacket, and bag.
• Participation in a celebratory banquet.
• Residence hall room and meal plan during on-campus orientation responsibilities.

The following are required commitments for SOULs: 

• EDL 290F – 2 credit, graded 12-week course in Spring 2024.
  • Thursdays, 6:30 – 8 p.m., beginning on February 15, 2024.
  • SOUL Symposium Retreat – April 6, 2024 from 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• Spring training - April 30, 2023 from 2 - 6 p.m.
• May training and fall semester orientation (full-time work): May 19 – early July 2024.
• August orientation and Welcome Weekend programs (full-time work): August 19 - 25, 2024.
• Spring semester orientation and Winter Welcome programs (full-time work): January 21 - 26, 2025.

• SOULs will not be permitted to take classes between May 19 - early July due to full-time work commitments. Exceptions cannot be made. 
• All dates in this job description are estimated dates that are subject to change. Once hired, SOULs may negotiate availability based on other university commitments (e.g. study abroad, student teaching, Resident Assistant, etc.).

The purpose of the Orientation and Transition Programs Alcohol Policy for Student Leaders is to communicate the importance of student conduct for student leaders as representatives of the Office of Orientation and Transition Programs and Miami University.  As a student leader in the Office of Orientation and Transition Programs, you are part of an important and trustworthy group of student leaders. High expectations – particularly surrounding responsible decision-making – are part of the tradition of excellence that benefits all those associated with Orientation and Transition Programs.  Even though our staff is relatively small from year to year, we inherit that tradition from those who have served as leaders before, and we are responsible for upholding high standards for those who come after us. We are all responsible to an ideal that is bigger than our present circumstances.

Student leaders in Orientation and Transition Programs, like all students, are required to comply with the policies and procedures of Miami University’s Code of Student Conduct. Alcohol is an especially important component of student conduct, and Orientation and Transition Programs has specific expectations for our leaders regarding alcohol use.  

Student leaders in Orientation and Transition Programs must agree to abide by these expectations upon acceptance of their position. Violation of these expectations is grounds for termination from a leadership position, in addition to sanctions that may be applied by the Office of Community Standards and/or local law enforcement.

The following expectations for student leaders begin on the date of selection:  

• Leaders who are under the age of 21 will not consume alcohol as it is illegal and against University policy (including on Green Beer Day).
• Leaders will not become intoxicated, regardless of age (including on Green Beer Day).
• Leaders will not consume alcohol while on campus, regardless of age.
• During orientation, welcome programs, and training periods, leaders, regardless of age, will not consume alcohol on or off campus when new students and families are in Oxford.  This includes times before and after summer orientation sessions such as:
  • Sundays before a Monday orientation (when students and families will be in town for early arrival).
  • Friday nights when a Day 2 takes place on Saturday (even though leaders may not work on that Saturday).
  • Full duration of welcome programs.

Orientation and Transition Programs will respond to instances of leaders who violate the Miami University Code of Conduct; leaders who are cited for violation of the Code of Conduct are subject to termination of their leadership position/employment.  Questions about this policy should be directed to Liz Walsh, Director of Orientation and Transition Programs, at walshek@MiamiOH.edu, 513-529-1834.