What is SOS?
Coming to a new college campus can be a challenging experience. The Student Orientation Staff (SOS) helps first-time entering students adapt to college life at UCA. SOS is a staff of 80 currently enrolled, volunteer student leaders who work to make the transition to college as smooth and as fun as possible! SOSers receive extensive leadership training throughout the spring semester and over the summer that enables them to host our Summer Orientation and Academic Registration (SOAR) and Welcome Week activities. These volunteers are chosen based on academic standing, campus involvement, and dedication to service. Each SOSer volunteers approximately 200 hours of service to the university between April and August. It’s a lot of work, but it’s a LOT of fun, too! Just ask any person in the trademark SOS Orange t-shirt.
THE HISTORY OF SOS
The Student Orientation Staff (SOS) program began in the fall of 1979 under the leadership of Dr. Fred Rhodes, then Dean of Students. The students were selected from the Student Senate (later called the Student Government Association) and the Royal Rooters (later called the Bear Den). The following year an orientation interview process was created and group leaders were established to serve as coordinators of an orientation committee. In 1987 the position of co-director was established. These two individuals were to guide the group leaders and work closely with the advisor to ensure the program’s success. The first SOAR (Summer Orientation & Academic Registration) program was offered in 1992. To date the Office of Orientation offers five SOAR sessions per summer, one of which is designed specifically for the Honors College.
The mission of the UCA Office of Orientation as carried out by the Student Orientation Staff is to coordinate and implement a process to:
- Assist new students in their academic, personal, cultural, and social transition to UCA
- Expose new students to the broad educational opportunities within the institution
- Integrate new student into the life of the institution
- Assist the institution in learning more about its entering students
- Provide an opportunity for new students and their families to become familiar with institutional policies, programs, and resources.
Meet the 2013 SOS CO-DIRECTORS
Cody Stephens & Rachel Carlock
FORMER SOS CO-DIRECTORS
2012 John Lewis & Rebecca Moye
2011 Matt Melton & Craig Cole
2010 Kyle Boyd & Elizabeth Eason
2008 Hanna Manning & Andy Winkelman
2007 Lindsey "Oz" Osborne & Stephen Roach
2006 Aaron King & Jeanie Zelinski
2005 Dana Newton & Mandi Tollett
2004 Amanda Blair & Brian Bowden
2003 Lauren Harris & Melissa Nix
2002 Scott Kiehn & Amanda Stouppe
2001 Sancy Faulk & Jordan Woolbright
2000 Desiree Mauppins & Annie Turner
1999 Heather Knight & Chris Oholendt
1998 William Hornburg & Corey Simmermon
1997 Gretchen Buchanan & Will Pittman
1996 Erin Burns & Jennifer Worley
1995 Leslie Perdue & Michael Vines
1994 Blake Douglas & Lawanda Shewbart
1993 Lane Vassar & Paul Vitale
1992 Jackie Davis & Galen Horton
1991 Sean Fleming & Angie Carr
1990 Gary Cooper & Margaret Gunter
1989 Chrystal Harris & Chris Williams
1988 Renae Bartlett & Tim Fix
1987 Tim McMahan & Kim Stone