Student Orientation Guides
SOGs are student leaders who are selected to lead a group of incoming first-year or transfer students throughout Orientation and their first year on campus.
Do you have what it takes to be a Student Orientation Guide?
Do you…
- Have a passion for building community at Butler?
- Want to make a difference in the lives of new students?
Applications for the 2026 SOG team will open soon (late fall 2025 semester). New and returning SOG applicants will be asked to complete an application form with a deadline of January 25, 2026.
SOGs are student leaders who are selected to lead a group of incoming and transfer students throughout Orientation and their first year on campus. These student leaders serve as mentors and role models to new students, facilitate group discussions and presentations, and are an invaluable part of the Orientation team.
New Student Orientation Guides
- Applications will open soon! (Late fall 2025 semester)
- Step 1: Complete the Student Orientation Guide application.
- Step 2: Participate in the first round of interviews, scheduled for late January 2026. Exact dates to be announced.
- Step 3: Following the first round of interviews, students invited to the second round of interviews will participate in individual interviews scheduled for early February 2026. Exact dates to be announced.
Returning Student Orientation Guides
- Step 1: Complete the Student Orientation Guide application.
Questions?
Please email orientation@butler.edu or call 317-940-8648.
A Student Orientation Guide (SOG) Group is the group of new or transfer students that will navigate Orientation programs with you before the start of classes and serve as a support for you throughout your first year at Butler.
We are looking for 50-60 passionate student leaders! First-year students have questions. You’ve got answers, stories, and perspective. As a Peer Mentor, you get to walk alongside new Bulldogs, help them navigate the ups and downs, and make Butler feel like home.
Peer Mentors are Student Orientation Guides who stick with their orientation group through the fall—helping first-year students navigate college, build confidence, and get connected to resources. You’ll be a go-to guide and advocate helping new Bulldogs belong.
What do Peer Mentors do?
- Conduct 3 in-class First Year Seminar presentations
- Be available to answer questions and provide guidance and encouragement
- Host one-on-one check-ins
- Build community via hangouts on or off campus/BCR attendance
- Share regular communication about events and activities on campus
Is there additional training?
Yes! Peer Mentors take a 1 credit in-person, synchronous class on Friday afternoons during the spring semester. The class will run from March 20 – April 24, 2026. The course ranges in leadership development topics. Think high engagement and a manageable work load.
After completing your SOG duties during Orientation, Peer Mentors take a 1 credit asynchronous class throughout the fall semester, equipping them with presentation templates and to provide space to reflect on their leadership experience. The whole Peer Mentor team convenes once a month to chat about the experience and Peer Mentors meet individually with a professional staff member a few times to ensure all questions are answered.
Student Orientation Coordinators (SOCs) are student leaders who have previously served as a Student Orientation Guide and are now helping plan Orientation! SOCs are responsible for leading a team of over 160 Student Orientation Guides, planning late night events, running communications, and assisting with the overall logistics of Orientation. Student Orientation Coordinators work with New Student and Family Programs staff, starting in the middle of fall semester all the way until the following fall to ensure that Orientation is a success!