Dear student organization leaders,
In order to provide an organized and high-quality experience for our newest students and their families, the Office of Student Life is standardizing the format for pre-orientation trips and experiences for Fall 2021. All pre-orientation trips/experiences must meet scheduled due dates in order to be able to host a trip/experience. All of the planning sessions will be held via zoom and the dates for pre-orientation are subject to change. We are hoping to confirm pre-o dates in the next few weeks.
Trip/Experience Due Dates
- Monday, March 29, 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Pre-Orientation Experience Planning Meeting via Zoom
- Monday, April 5: Organization proposal form due
- Friday, April 9: Organization proposal forms reviewed/approved by OSL.
- Wednesday, April 14, Time TBD: Advisor Training for organizations hosting pre-orientation trips/experiences.
- April 19-23: Post pre-o info to sites.clarkson.edu
- Wednesday, April 28: Sign-ups open on Slate
- Friday, July 31: Sign-ups close on Slate
- Monday, August 2: Moodle training on bystander intervention, conflict resolution, and Title IX for trip/experience leaders must be completed.
- Monday, August 2: Housing information for trip/experience attendees and leaders due to Residence Life
- Monday, August 2: OSL sends confirmation, arrival/key instructions, and Orientation schedules to all attendees
- Sunday, August 22: Pre-Orientation Trip/Experience leaders move in to campus
- Sunday, August 22: Pre-Orientation Trip/Experience Leader Training Session (in-person)
- Monday, August 23 from 9a-noon: Pre-Orientation Trip/Experience attendees move in
- Monday, August 23 from noon-3p: Orientation for students attending trips/experiences and their families.
- Includes 15-minute session for trip leaders to give a trip/experience overview answer questions from families
- Includes ice breakers/team building for student attendees
- Includes family lunch for all attendees, families, and trip leaders
- Friday, 8/27: Pre-Orientation Trips/Experiences end by 4 p.m. (Move In Day)
Proposals Include:
- Trip/experience itinerary
- Covid-19 Safety Plan, including a list of sanitation products that are needed
- Budget proposal
- Meals, transportation, activities
- Orientation lunch ($15/person)
- $200 per trip leader payment
- Attendance fee
- Transportation plan (if applicable – charter bus, rental cars, fleet vehicles, etc.)
- Advisor(s) on-call for emergencies
- Additional post-assessment questions (OSL to administer/tabulate)
- List of pre-orientation experience/trip leaders, with names and ID numbers, two of whom must be present for key handout during move-in
Covid-19 Limitations
- All experiences must take place in New York State or contiguous states (pending NYS guidelines).
- There must be at least 2 trip leaders for every 10 students signing up for the experience.
- Students can only share accommodations with their assigned roommate.
Benefits of Centralized Planning
- Advertising/Attendance: All pre-orientation experiences/trips will be advertised to all incoming first-year students on their “To Do List” which they must complete prior to arriving at Clarkson. This process provides an even playing field for all organizations to advertise their trip/experience equally
- Family Support: Families will feel comfortable allowing their students to partake in experiences that are coordinated and officially supported through Clarkson University. Families appreciate attending a Family Orientation to ease their worries about their student’s transition, which OSL will provide.
- Budgeting: Your pre-orientation trip/experience will be incorporated into the CUSA budget planning process
- Organization: OSL will provide a template for your itinerary and budget, as well as communication to attendees/families regarding arrival and Orientation. This will allow you to plan critical pieces of your experience before the summer break and focus on creating a quality experience rather than administrative tasks.
- Safety: Waivers, trainings, and risk management will be standardized and maintained through OSL. Trained/paid trip leaders will be covered under the University’s insurance.
