Scarlet Squad Needs You!
Seeking students, faculty, and staff to help with freshman Move-in
Remember the day you moved into your freshman dorm? You probably felt a little disoriented and overwhelmed at the prospect of living with a stranger, sharing a bathroom with 20 people, starting life in a new place. Chances are, though, there was someone there to welcome you and answer your questions—one of the hundreds of friendly red-shirted Scarlet Squad volunteers who help with freshman Move-in each fall. The Scarlet Squad is currently looking for upperclassmen, faculty, and staff to help welcome the Class of 2016 during Move-in weekend, September 1 and 2.
“It’s our students’ way of rolling out the red carpet,” says Daryl Healea (STH’01, SED’10), Residence Life associate director for student and staff development. “The scale and scope of Move-in can be overwhelming for many, but when our Scarlet Squad volunteers flash a big smile, say ‘Welcome,’ and assist their fellow students with their first few steps on campus, everything else tends to flow more smoothly. Of course, moving to campus is also one of the most exciting periods of the academic year, and our Scarlet Squad volunteers get to pave the way for that excitement—a way that really sets a positive tone for a year of new beginnings for all.”
“I wanted to volunteer because it seemed like a fun and interesting way to meet the new Class of 2015, and I also remember how stressful it was to move on campus,” says Kyle Potter (SMG’14), who was a Scarlet Squad volunteer last year. “I wanted to alleviate as much of that stress as possible for the new students and their parents. BU is a great school and I wanted to demonstrate the affinity we as students have for the school and for fellow Terriers.”
As a Scarlet Squad volunteer, you’ll not only be helping entering freshmen and their families, you’ll receive special benefits as well. Scarlet Squad members get to move into their fall residence halls early, receive a free meal for each shift they work and a free Scarlet Squad T-shirt, and have a unique opportunity to recruit new members for their student organizations. Volunteers are asked to work at least one five-hour shift on either the Saturday or Sunday (or both) of fall Move-in.
Scarlet Squad volunteers also work as ambassadors to promote sustainability on campus. Each receives a crash training course from sustainability@BU before Move-in. They then brief incoming freshmen about on-campus recycling locations, which materials are recyclable, and the various sustainability programs that take place throughout the year.
In addition, Scarlet Squad volunteers provide basic information about how incoming students can get involved with the residence hall associations (RHAs) on campus.
The Scarlet Squad welcomes all volunteers. Last year, more than 400 upperclassmen, faculty, and staff took part in the program.
There are also leadership positions available within the Scarlet Squad. If you are interested in being a Scarlet Squad captain, indicate your preference on your application. All volunteers must apply online. Find an application here.
Applications to join the Scarlet Squad for the fall 2012 semester will be accepted until July 15. The first early move-in day for volunteers is Wednesday, August 29.
Andreia DeVries can be reached at adevries@bu.edu.
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