volunteer guidelines

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

THANK YOU for volunteering your time to help with the International Student Orientation! We could not run a successful orientation without the help of our volunteers!

Please know that International Student and Scholar Services appreciates the time and effort you are putting in to helping with this orientation. We hope that it will be a rewarding experience for you!

As you volunteer for our office, we ask that you follow these guidelines:



As a volunteer, you are representing International Student and

Scholar Services, Kansas State University, and the greater

Manhattan community. Remember, you may be the first

point of contact for some of the new students. Be friendly,

helpful and welcoming!

Remember to SMILE!



Please DO NOT offer immigration, employment or academic

advice to students. If students have these questions, please

refer them to an ISSS employee.

Sara Thurston-

GonzálezDirector

Maria Beebe

Assistant Director

Karl Anderson

International Student

Advisor

Stacey Bailey


Advisor

Donna Davis


Advisor

Caitlin Kelley


Support Coordinator



Please DO answer student questions about life at K-State and

Manhattan. Share information and tips that will help new

students adjust to campus, and feel welcome here.

Please be knowledgeable of the orientation schedule. Help

answer student questions about the session content, times

and places. Our sessions are designed to help students

learn about K-State and campus culture. Encourage new

students to attend. Here is the link to the schedule: http://www.k-state.edu/isss/orientation/Fall%202011%20Schedule.pdf

http://www.k-state.edu/isss/orientation/Fall 2011 Schedule.pdf






DO NOT use your volunteer position to recruit students to

activities that will distract from orientation, including student

or religious groups. In agreeing to volunteer, you agree that

your first priority is to assist ISSS with orientation activities,

and help students with their transition to campus.

After the beginning of classes, if your group would like to send

a notice, if appropriate, of an upcoming event over the ISSS

listserv, our office can assist you with that.



Do not proselytize.

Proselytizing means to try to convert or recruit someone to

your beliefs.

• Be aware that religion and politics are very sensitive topics.

• Do not put new students in uncomfortable situations by asking

them to pray with you or engaging them in religious or political

debate.

• Don’t collect students’ contact information. Give your contact

information so they can contact you if they choose.



If you volunteer with ISSS as a driver, you must:

• Be a current employee of Kansas State University.

• Have a valid driver’s license.

• Please ask passengers to wear seatbelts at all times. Do not

carry more passengers than you have available seatbelts.



Do not offer or consume alcohol or illegal drugs while acting as

an ISSS volunteer. Many of the ISSS events include students

under 21 years old.

Do not enter financial contracts with students or get involved

with students’ personal finances.



A NOTE ON CULTURE!

There will be students from MANY countries and cultures

represented at ISSS orientation and events! This means

there will be many cultural differences. Be sensitive to them!

Also- volunteers are expected to be helpful and friendly to ALL

new students, even if they are not from the same home

country as you.



Here are some culture things to keep in mind:

• Greetings: not every student will want to shake your hand or be

hugged.

• Dress: Please dress casual, comfortable and conservative.

Please wear a purple T-Shirt and nametag so that you can be

recognized as a volunteer.

• Communication: In the U.S. we are very direct. We ask many

direct questions and expect direct answers. Communication in

many other cultures is indirect. Please do not ask too many

personal questions. Be sensitive, and watch body language.

Remember that “maybe” may be a polite “no.”



If you recognize that a student is having trouble adjusting to the

U.S. or Kansas State University, refer the student to ISSS.

Our staff will make sure that the student receives the

appropriate support.



And remember…



We thank you! For the time, effort and good cheer that you are bringing to

our orientation!

volunteer guidelines

Education