Student Leadership

Want to grow your leadership skills, build professional experience, make connections with peers and support the Orange community? Fitting for a variety of interests and schedules, explore the below student leadership opportunities today! For more information or to express interest while applications are closed, please email New Student Programs or call 315.443.9187.

Goon Squad

Since 1944, Goon Squad members have been the friendly group of returning students who greet new students as they arrive on campus and help them move into their residence halls. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in one of Syracuse University’s oldest traditions!

Any returning Syracuse University undergraduate or graduate student may register to be on the Goon Squad.

  • Attend a Goon Squad required training on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023 from 7-8 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.
  • Greet new students, families and supporters, in addition to helping with wayfinding.
  • Help new students move into their residence halls.

  • Early move-in date of Monday, Aug. 21, 2023 for North Campus residents (no exceptions).
  • Early move-in date of Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 for South Campus residents (no exceptions).
  • Receive three hours of community service per volunteer shift. These may also count toward Whitman and Honors requirements.
  • Receive Goon Squad swag.
  • Recruit new students for your Registered Student Organization (RSO).
  • RSOs meeting the Goon Squad volunteer requirement will be invited to table at the Orange Blast Involvement Fair on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.
  • Make a positive impact with new students, families and supporters during Move In.

Before the beginning of the fall semester, the Orange Blast Involvement Fair is an early and additional opportunity for RSOs to meet and recruit first-year and transfer students.

Orange Blast Involvement Fair

  • Friday, Aug. 25, 2023
  • The Quad
  • Hosted during Syracuse Welcome.

Tabling Invitations

To be eligible to receive an Orange Blast Involvement Fair tabling invitation, RSOs must meet the following volunteer requirements. Invitations will be emailed (@syr.edu) to eligible RSOs in early August.

RSO Active MembersMinimum Required Goon Squad Volunteers
15 and under.3
16-404
41-755
76-996
100 and over. 7

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Nick Stines, New Student Programs senior program coordinator, or call 315.443.9187.

Registration Deadline

Thursday, July 20, 2023, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Registration

Goon Squad 2023 Registration

Contact

For questions or to request accommodations, please email Nick Stines, New Student Programs senior program coordinator, or call 315.443.9187.

Student Coordinators for Leadership and Welcome Events

Cultivating a sense of belonging for all, these student leaders play a key role in welcoming incoming students, in addition to joining and supporting the Orientation Leader team as a go-to resource and mentor.

The deadline to submit an application for the Student Coordinator for Leadership and Welcome Events position has passed. Recruitment for the next Student Coordinator team will begin in Fall 2023.

Orientation Leaders (OLs)

Led by a desire to be campus role models, OLs are upper-division student leaders who create a sense of belonging for incoming students. Highlights include supporting Syracuse Welcome and Winter Welcome through small group facilitation, large-scale events, Pre-Welcome Programs and New Student Move In.

The deadline to submit an application for the 2023-24 Orientation Leader team has passed. Recruitment for the 2024-25 OL team will begin in Fall 2023.

Student Leadership Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

New Student Programs has consolidated all student leadership positions working with Pre-Welcome Programs and Syracuse Welcome into the Orientation Leader position. All programs ('Cuse First, Transfer Transitions, BIPOC Connections and Syracuse Welcome) will be facilitated and supported by Orientation Leaders. You should apply to be an Orientation Leader if you are interested in any of the listed student leader positions.

Students who have served in previous leadership positions within New Student Programs (BIPOC Summer Connections Leader, 'Cuse First Leader, Orientation Leader, Transfer Transition Leader) are encouraged to apply for a Returning Orientation Leader position through the Orientation Leader application.