Cub Coach

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Position Overview

The Cub Coach is an integral part of the Bear Cub Connection Program. Each Cub Coach is an upperclassman resident student who will serve in a mentoring capacity to the students in their assigned cohort. The Cub Coaches are part of the overall retention initiative of the Bear Cub Connection Program and will provide a multi-layered source of support for First-Year Students. 

Roles and Responsibilities

Academics/Acclimation

  • Maintain a 2.25 GPA
  • Serve as an academic role model
    • Attend class
    • Talk positively about going to class and completing assignments
  • Serve as an academic resource
    • Be aware of the academic resources on campus
    • Help to connect cubs to these resources
    • Assist Cubs with strategies to make connections and build relationships with professors
  • Oversee one study hall session a week within the residence halls
    • Promote sessions
    • Proctor the session and make sure the time is being utilized appropriately
    • Track the attendance of the Cubs in your cohort
    • Coordinate the sign-in process
    • Work with tutors who are attending study halls
  • Faculty Relations
    • Work in pairs to bring faculty into the residence halls once a semester to engage in a social activity with the students in the program
    • Support office-sponsored faculty programs
      • Promote the events
      • Encourage your Cubs to attend
      • Attend at least one of these events per semester
    • Bear Tracks
      • Cub Coaches will present one Bear Tracks program per semester
      • Cub Coaches will bring their Cubs to one Bear Tracks program per month

Administrative

  • Serve under the direct supervision of the Residence Life, Housing, and Dining Special Projects Grad
    • Communicate regularly with supervisor, keeping them aware of issues and needs
  • Attend weekly staff meetings (day and time to be determined)
  • Meet bi-weekly for a 1:1 with the Residence Life, Housing, and Dining Special Projects Grad
  • Meet 1:1 at least twice per semester with each Cub in your cohort
    • One meeting is to take place prior to mid term. The second meeting is to take place after midterms and prior to the end of the semester.
  • Hold two office hours per week
    • These hours are to be established, maintained, and shared with your cohort (office space will be determined)
  • Disseminate information regarding housing procedures and policies and general housing information
  • All Residence Life, Housing, and Dining Staff members are mandatory reporters; Cub Coaches are required to follow the guidelines as such
  • Sign and adhere to the department's Confidentiality Agreement
  • Follow the appropriate protocol for documenting situations
  • Ensure accurate and timely completion of timecards
  • Additional responsibilities and expectations as assigned (primarily determined by, but not limited to, the needs of the staff, resident population, and or the Central Office)

Community Development

  • Establish a personal relationship with each first-year resident at the start of the academic year in order to gain an awareness of personalities, attitudes, academic goals, challenges, and health concerns
  • Function as an advocate for students by recognizing the problems, concerns, and opinions of individuals and groups. Present the students’ viewpoints to the appropriate University staff, through the appropriate channels. Advise and assist students in their efforts to present their views in the most effective and constructive manner.
  • Provide opportunities for residents to interact
  • Assist in the development of healthy relationships
  • Engage residents in activities that help them to feel part of the community
  • Each Coach will plan 1 social interaction per month for their cohort
    • This can be a program they plan on their own
    • This can be taking advantage of a program already being planned on campus
      • If they use this option, they must do their own advertising and promotion of the event
      • These can be large campus events (Bears at Night) or programs planned by a CA or another office on campus
    • The Faculty Programs do not count
  • The Cub Coaches will work together to plan 2 programs per semester for the First Year Students
    • These are independent of, and in addition to, the social interactions they will plan for their cohort
    • The faculty programs do not count
    • One of these must have a service learning component
  • Monthly dinners as a cohort will be planned by the Cub Coach
    • These can be held in South Dining Hall
    • Coaches will pick a date and invite the cohort to eat together
      • Different days and times should be picked each month to support a variety of schedules
  • Cub Coaches will engage their Cubs in campus traditions and office events
    • Perform duties during, but not limited to, Welcome Week, Family Day, Homecoming, HARLOween, Bearfest and other major Housing, Residence Life, and Dining programs which will be determined by their supervisor
    • Participate and assist with initiatives and programs sponsored or supported by Housing, Residence Life and Dining Services
  • Welcome Week Activities
    • Cub Coaches will take their cohort to two Welcome Week Activities
      • These activities are independent of the social interactions
    • Meet Your Cub Coach
      • Each Coach will design a "Meet Your Cub Coach" flier to be placed on their Cubs’ doors
      • Move In Day
        • Cub Coaches will be present on Move In Day
        • Coaches will be provided a list of their Cubs’ move in times and travel to the halls to greet their Cub as they move in
  • Professional Staff Mentor
    • Communicate and collaborate with Professional Staff Mentor for the cohort
    • Meet with mentor monthly
    • Plan one engagement with the mentor for the cohort per semester

TRAINING

  • Coaches will be required to attend training in the Fall as well as in the Spring
  • Dates for Fall Training will be August 19, 20, and 21
    • If the Cub Coach serves in another role within the office of Residence Life, Housing, and Dining, allowances will be made for them to attend this training
  • Spring Dates have not yet been identified

Application Requirements

  • Complete an application and participate in an interview
  • Live on campus for the 2024-2025 academic year
  • Maintain a 2.25 GPA
  • Be in good judicial standing with the university
  • Complete all required HR paperwork
  • Attend mandated trainings

Compensation

  • The position is a stipend position that will be broken down into weekly hourly increments for the sake of a time card
  • The stipend will be $3000 for the year

Related Department Initiatives

  • Support the Mission and Vision of the department
  • Support the goal of the Bear Cub Connection Program
  • Support the Department Core Values
    • Academic Enrichment: Promoting on-campus resources and teaching good academic behaviors, strategies, and communication, as well as endorsing the relationship between students and faculty/staff members within the residence hall
    • Accountability and Integrity: Encouraging students to demonstrate good citizenship and social responsibility while providing opportunities for residents to develop a sense of self and what they value
    • Empowerment: Providing residents with the opportunities to gain the skills and confidence needed to control one’s life
    • Community Engagement: Through programming and volunteer leadership opportunities students will foster relationships, become entrenched in the KU culture as well as positively impact the campus and surrounding community
    • Inclusion: Foster the growth and develop of student so that they understand diversity and inclusion encompass acceptance and respect. Cultivate a culture where individuals are seen as unique and differences are celebrated. Create a safe, positive, nurturing environment where it is safe students to be who they are and explore differences through programming and dialogue.