Right from the Start: Opportunities for New UMBC Freshmen & Transfer Students by David Hoffman and Craig Berger

 Two special leadership and involvement opportunities are now open to students in their first semester at UMBC. If you want to make friends, build your leadership skills and work with others to make a meaningful difference on campus, start right here.

 First Year Council

 The First Year Council works with campus leaders to make the first-year experience the best it can be. Past First Year Councils have addressed weekend dining options, created community-building programs and helped peers find the information they needed on campus. A member of the original First Year Council spearheaded the establishment of the Homecoming Bonfire as a campus tradition.

The First Year Council meets every Friday afternoon with advisors from Student Life. Become a member by being nominated by any student organization. Just ask one of the organization's officers to complete this form. The nomination deadline is September 25, 2013. Questions? Contact Annekia Harding, Civic Engagement and Leadership Intern in Student Life, at annekia1@umbc.edu.

 Student Government Association First Year Ambassadors

 First Year Ambassadors serve in the SGA Senate, Finance Board and Executive Branch.  They have all of the responsibilities of other SGA officers (except that First Year Ambassadors serving in the Senate and Finance Board do not vote), but receive special training and opportunities to learn about SGA's and UMBC's structure and operations.  In addition, First Year Ambassadors have the opportunity to represent SGA on the First Year Council. This opportunity is open to all students in their first year at UMBC.

Questions? Contact Max Barnhart, Assistant Director of SGA Departmental Affairs, at mb11@umbc.edu. To apply to join SGA as a First Year Ambassador, follow this link:  First Year Ambassador Application
Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from the Office of Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.
]]> by David Hoffman and Craig Berger Two special leadership and involvement opportunities are now open to students in their first semester at UMBC. If you want to make friends, build your... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2013/09/right-from-start-opportunities-for-new.html https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/35819/guest@my.umbc.edu/b0394597c85f0e155e545c3af38c2286/api/pixel first-year-council Co-Create UMBC https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 10 0 true Wed, 18 Sep 2013 10:49:00 -0400 First Year Council: Impact from the Start

Each October a group of new UMBC students gathers to share stories and start envisioning contributions which will enhance the UMBC experience for them and their peers. Over the ensuing weeks, with help from a more experienced peer and staff advisors, they learn about UMBC's structure, resources and decision processes. But they already are experts on the most important subject they need to master before starting to make a difference:what it is like to be new members of our campus community. 

When the Office of Student Life and Student Government Association collaborated to launch the First Year Council in 2004, we had high hopes but modest expectations. Would new students really be willing and able to think creatively about UMBC's future while they were still learning how to thrive here? We hoped the chance to connect with peers and campus leaders would build their confidence and sense of opportunity, and we were right. The founding First Year Council envisioned and planned an event that would pull the campus together: a "world record" water gun fight (more photos here), which made local headlines. One of its members, Thomas Locastro, worked all year to win campus support for his plan to launch the tradition of a Homecoming Bonfire. He succeeded, and the very first bonfire took place in October 2005. 

 Subsequent Councils have provided feedback to campus administrators on Welcome Week, developed resources to help new students navigate UMBC, and provided information to their peers about opportunities to get involved in campus life. The First Year Council has been a launching pad for student leaders, many of whom have used the skills, knowledge and relationships they developed as freshmen to make significant contributions to UMBC. SGA President Kaylesh Ramu was a member of the First Year Council her freshman year. 

Recruitment for this year's First Year Council is underway.  To become a member, students must be nominated by any student organization using this form by Friday, September 28th.  If you're a new student and want to join, all you have to do is find an organization to nominate you.  But the nomination requirement isn't intended as a barrier to joining, so if you have any difficulty, contact sophomore Sam Spehr, the First Year Council's peer advisor, at sspehr1@umbc.edu.

 --David Hoffman

 Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from the Office of Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter. 

]]> Each October a group of new UMBC students gathers to share stories and start envisioning contributions which will enhance the UMBC experience for them and their peers. Over the ensuing weeks, with... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2012/09/first-year-council-impact-from-start.html https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/17079/guest@my.umbc.edu/6bd09ec8740b4fd508be7c2240f5ba03/api/pixel first-year-council Co-Create UMBC https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 15 0 true Tue, 25 Sep 2012 17:30:00 -0400 Join/Nominate the First Year Council The First Year Council is a forum for first year UMBC students to learn, grow, contribute, and have fun together.  With guidance from an experienced student leader and support from advisors in the Office of Student Life (including me), FYC members participate in activities that help them get connected and make a difference on campus. 

To join the First Year Council, new UMBC students can be nominated by any student organization on campus.  Here is how Kaitlyn Snyder, the student leader who will be working with this year's FYC, describes the opportunity: 
First Year Council provides a unique opportunity for First Year Students (transfers and freshmen alike) from all over campus to work together in order to make this campus their home. Enthusiastic students network and form bonds with one another outside of the class room. Further, new students get to experience leadership positions and meet with current student, faculty and staff leaders who can help them accomplish their goals. First Year Council is one of the main reasons I am the person that I am today and I wouldn't trade the experience for the world.  
If you are interested in joining First Year Council, join a club and ask the Executive Board to nominate you. If you are an Executive Board member and know someone who would be a great fit for First Year Council please nominate them! Nomination forms can be found on the First Year Council Group page on myUMBC (follow the link).

Please e-mail completed nomination forms to Kaitlyn at ks11@gmail.com, or submit a hard copy to me (David Hoffman) in the Office of Student Life, Commons 336, by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30th.  Contact Kaitlyn if you have any questions.

The First Year Council's first meeting will take place on Friday, October 7th at 3:00 p.m. in Commons 329. 
]]> The First Year Council is a forum for first year UMBC students to learn, grow, contribute, and have fun together.  With guidance from an experienced student leader and support from advisors in the... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/09/joinnominate-first-year-council.html https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/8885/guest@my.umbc.edu/cc45cc960fab46cf5d776a681de8796b/api/pixel first-year-council Co-Create UMBC https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 20 0 true Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:46:00 -0400 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:46:00 -0400 Join/Nominate the First Year Council The First Year Council is a forum for first-year UMBC students to learn, grow, contribute, and have fun together.  With guidance from an experienced student leader and support from advisors in the Office of Student Life (including me), FYC members participate activities that help them get connected and make a difference on campus. 

To join the First Year Council, new UMBC students can be nominated by any student organization on campus.  Here is how Sunaina Khandelwal, the student leader who will be working with this year's FYC, describes the opportunity: 
Every year, the Office of Student Life assembles a First Year Council to give freshman and new transfers an opportunity to meet other motivated peers, get involved on campus, develop leadership skills and assume leadership and responsibility to make a difference at UMBC.
New members get nominated to the council by the Executive Board of each student organization. So,
Freshman and Transfers: If you want to become a leader in the beginning of your UMBC career, get a member of the executive board of an organization that you are part of, to fill out the attachment form with this email if you want to be part of the best.
Exec Boards: Identify your most motivated freshmen and transfer members and give them an opportunity to develop themselves. This way, you will also be identifying a representative for your organization for the entire freshman community.
To obtain a form, or if you have any questions, email Sunaina at khasun1@umbc.edu.  The deadline is this Friday, October 1st.  You can submit the forms via email to Sunaina, or in hard copy to my office: Commons 2B12 (slip them under the door if I'm not in).
]]> The First Year Council is a forum for first-year UMBC students to learn, grow, contribute, and have fun together.  With guidance from an experienced student leader and support from advisors in the... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2010/09/joinnominate-first-year-council.html https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/2747/guest@my.umbc.edu/bd51f0dd2402de6f6ded9806aa4e3fb7/api/pixel first-year-council Co-Create UMBC https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 6 0 true Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:33:00 -0400