Orientation Committee 2024 application

October 2023

Dear Wheaton College Student:

We are excited you are exploring the possibility of serving new students at Wheaton College as a member of the 2024 Orientation Committee (OC) for the Passage program. This application is intended to help you discern if OC is where God is asking you to serve Him next year.

Wheaton Passage is about initiating the college experience by providing a warm welcome and a comprehensive introduction to the mission and committment of Wheaton College. Its focus is on all new students and assisting them as they begin to discover their role within our community, developing new friendships, learning about academic expectations, exposure to campus resources, and forming a spiritual community together.

The benefits of being on Orientation Committee are extensive. OC members are challenged to grow in their faith, relationships, and professional capabilities. You will press deeper into your faith as we practice serving our new classmates, grow in self- and relational-awareness as you work with a highly-capable team of peers, and grow professionally as you consider how to extend radical hospitality to new students and their parents arriving at Wheaton College. You'll also grow professionally as you collaborate more than ever with campus administrators, faculty, and staff. The commitment and sacrifice to serve in this capacity is significant, but the opportunity of growing and maturing into the likeness of Christ through this process is rewarding. 

In considering the application process, we ask that you prayerfully review the following expectations before you apply:

1. You are committed to the purpose and ministry of Wheaton Passage and the Orientation Committee.
2. You are committed to the full term November 2023 - December 2024.
3. You will be able to attend the training and planning retreat January 12-14, 2024. 
4. You will be able to return to campus August 6/7 for Passage prep.
5. You are committed to taking ownership of and responsibility for the events that you plan.
6. You are committed to attending all weekly meetings and dinner which occur on Mondays from 3:45-6:15pm, beginning in January.

The complete application consists of the application below, video response, and two references (one from a faculty member, administrator, staff member or RD and one from a peer). 

• Send this link to your references so they can fill out a reference for you online. 
• Video Response: please send a brief, 5-minutes or less, video to kathryn.skinner@my.wheaton.edu, answering the following questions:  
  • What draws you to apply for Orientation Committee?
  • Practically, how do you engage in hospitality?

The application, video, and references are due by noon on Friday, October 20.  You will be notified by October 23 at 5pm whether you are invited to an individual interview in the following weeks.

We will be praying for God to help you discern whether you are called to serve Him and new students as a member of Orientation Committee 2024. We ask that as you participate in the selection process, you also prayerfully consider how God is calling you to serve Him next year. If you have any questions regarding this process or OC in general, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Skinner
Orientation Committee Student Director, 2024

Steve Ivester
Dean for Student Engagement

Nate Thompson
Wheaton Passage Program Director

Consider completing your answers in Word and then copying into this form as it may not save in order to be opened another time.

In applying for this student leadership position on Orientation Committee, I agree without reservation to abide by the expectations of this organization, which are communicated, and to reaffirm my commitment to Wheaton College and our Community Covenant. I understand that OC, is a part of Wheaton College and seeks to serve Christ and advance His Kingdom. As a student leader, I will honor my academic responsibilities first and leadership activities second.  I believe that we are a community bound together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Therefore, I commit myself to my colleagues on OC, by seeking to love each one, and to be a Christ-like example to them as well as to the students OC serves.

I understand that I will not be permitted to serve if I am on academic probation, disciplinary probation or if my cumulative GPA falls below 2.5. I understand that I may not be able to serve if I am on chapel probation. Students on chapel probation will require the permission from a Student Development Dean to serve.   I agree to voluntarily resign my position if I fail to pursue the intent of this statement by making choices that lead to academic, disciplinary probation, and possibly chapel probation. 

A student must also be cleared to serve as a student leader by various departments on campus, including: the Chaplain’s Office, Residence Life/Student Conduct, Registrar’s Office, Equity &Title IX, Student Care Services, and Student Wellness. 

By signing and dating below, I am affirming that I meet the above requirements and give permission for the free exchange of information between representatives from all the offices listed above, in relation to Orientation Committee, for verification purposes.

I understand that signing this authorization is voluntary, and that refusing to sign this form does not stop disclosure of information that is otherwise permitted by Federal law (FERPA) without my specific authorization, consent, or permission.

This authorization will remain active for 12 months from the date of signing. I understand that I may revoke this authorization at any time by contacting [student.engagement@wheaton.edu]. I also understand that if I choose to revoke this authorization, I may negatively impact my eligibility to be selected or continue to serve as a student leader at Wheaton College.