Meagan Downing | Round Up Photo Editor
By Madison Ferril
Reporter
Welcome Week marks the start of the Baylor school year, but a program this large requires a substantial number of volunteers to lead new students, set up events and provide information.
New Student Programs will be accepting applications now until 5 p.m. on March 8.
Tripp Purks, new student programs coordinator, said Welcome Week is a great time for students to serve.
“Welcome Week is the first time all incoming students are together,” Purks said. “It’s a great leadership opportunity. If students love the traditions and history of Baylor and love sharing it with new members of the Baylor family, this is the perfect time to do that.”
Purks said he thinks Welcome Week is a good leadership opportunity for students from all areas of Baylor.
“It’s hard work, but a unique opportunity for students,” Purks said.
Purks said around 400 students applied for Welcome Week positions last year, and there are about 400-500 positions available for Welcome Week this year.
“We’re always excited to have more applications and more student leaders,” he said. “It means we can provide a better experience.”
Students can access the application at http://bit.ly/wwstaff.
After the submission of the application, group interviews will take place after Spring Break and positions will be announced two to three weeks after the interviews.
Keane Tarbell, associate director for New Student Programs, said Welcome Week has been a part of Baylor tradition since 1978. Baptist Student Ministries used to run Welcome Week but turned the program over to Student Life.
“There’s been a few structural changes in the last decade,” Tarbell said. “It used to be more student planned and staff supported. Now it’s more staff led and student supported.”
According to the website, students can apply for the positions of Small Group Leader, Residence Hall Captain or to serve on the Task Force.
Small group leaders are in charge of groups of 18-24 new students and responsible for helping students their first week at Baylor.
Tarbell said the Residence Hall Captain position was created a few years ago and provides a connection point between Welcome Week programs and students in the residence halls.
“They point students in the right direction and are experts in what’s going on during Welcome Week,” Tarbell said.
The task force serves behind the scenes, setting up events during the week.
“This is a very servant-minded group who want to welcome students through meaningful service,” Tarbell said.
