Colgate University Orientation Link Description
Approximately 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, Orientation Links will increase new students’ 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 maintain a high 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 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 and 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.
- Encourage first year students to attend the Living and Learning Workshop (LLW). Please note Links will be invited, but not expected, to attend the LLW. If you opt in, you will be compensated.
- 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.
- 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.
This year, financial aid will be available for Links who express a need to help with costs associated with arriving on campus a week early for Link training. Please check this box to acknowledge that if this applies to you, at any time before August 2025, you can reach out to Beth Kropf, Assistant Director of New Student Programs, at bkropf@colgate.edu to access financial aid.
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 Leadership Training (all applicants and new Links):
- Thursday, April 3 from 4:15-5:00pm
- Friday, April 11 from 3:00-3:45pm
- Tuesday, April 22 from 4:15-5:00pm
Spring Link Training:
Dates forthcoming.
Summer Dates:
- Saturday, August 16: Link Arrival and Move-In
- Sunday, August 17 - Friday, August 22: Link Training
- Sunday, August 24 - Wednesday, August 27: 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 2025 semester are ineligible.
- Link applications are due by Wednesday, January 29th at 11:59pm.
- PLEASE NOTE: All applicants cumulative and semester GPA will be verified and academic and disciplinary records will be reviewed.
Step 4: Participate in a group interview (new applicants only)
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 3: 6:00pm-8:00pm
- Tuesday, February 4: 4:30pm-6:30pm
- Friday, February 7: 2:30pm-4:30pm
Step 5: 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 in February and early March.
Students will be notified of selection during the week of March 10.