Crimson Crew members, also known as orientation leaders, help new students transition into college life in the IUS community.
Orientation leaders help incoming students become acquainted with the IUS campus and let students know about the different resources the campus has to offer.
Casey Parker, nursing sophomore, has been a member of the Crimson Crew for three years and said she joined the Crimson Crew to getinvolved with campus because she did not know a lot of people.
“I was the student that didn’t do a whole lot my first year here,” Parker said. “The Crimson Crew is all about making students feel welcome to IUS. It means feeling a part of something that’s bigger than me. We are about making students have fun and get them involved and not just be somebody that goes to class and goes home.”
When Alex Wolf, business junior, came to IU Southeast, the Crimson Crew did not exist yet. He said he had a STAIR session with no help, and a classmate encouraged him to join the Crimson Crew last year. Wolf said it means a lot to be a part of this group.
“I like to volunteer,” Wolf said. “Being a member has benefited me greatly because I get to meet new people. Back home, I was just the quiet, shy kid that sat in the back. I’ve opened up a little bit by joining.”
Parker said he agrees the Crimson Crew offers many benefits.
“It helped me meet new people and make connections with not only students but faculty on campus,” Parker said. “It’s made my leadership skills better and made me more outgoing.”
Parker said she has an internship with Campus Life, where she helps the Crimson Crew recruit, set up information sessions and plan events.
Parker said additional benefits of being an orientation leader include the opportunity to enhance interpersonal skills, knowledge and confidence. Orientation leaders receive formal leadership training and more than 40 volunteer service hours. She said being an orientation leader also looks great on a résumé.
Kathy Meyer, leadership coordinator for Campus Life and supervisor of the Crimson Crew, said the Crimson Crew is strictly volunteer-based.
“It is one of those experiences that you only get out of it what you put into it,” Meyer said. “If you are one of those people who makes excuses of why you can’t come, then you are probably not going to feel as connected to the team as some of the others do. It’s a club like any other club on campus.”
Kendall Houser, business freshman, said she is interested in joining the Crimson Crew and attended an information session Oct. 17.
“I am interested in the Crimson Crew because I was involved in a lot in high school, and I just really like helping people,” Houser said, “especially people that are shy and don’t want to get out and meet other people. I like to help them get out and meet other people and show them it’s not that bad.”
Houser said being a part of the Crimson Crew will benefit her because she will get to meet new people, and she’ll also get to help people transition and hopefully make their transition a good one.
Applications can be found online. If interested, students can turn in a completed application to the Campus Life office. They will be required to attend one of two group interviews set up by Campus Life.
Meyer said there is no reason for possible new members to be nervous. She said these sessions are meant to be fun and interactive, but there is also a personal side to them where current members meet with potential members one-on-one.
“The one thing I look for in an orientation leader is I want somebody who can just talk about IU Southeast and how much they really like being here,” Meyer said. “I want an orientation leader to be somebody who generally wants to help other people — someone that wants to make sure new students have a good experience here.”
By KIM KERBY
Staff
kdkerby@ius.edu
