General questions:
When and where will the SOAR leader information sessions be held?
View the "Learn more at our information sessions" section above for times and locations.
Do I have to attend an information session?
No, but attendance at an information sessions is encouraged to help us answer any questions you have about the position or the application process.
Do SOAR leaders provide tours for prospective students during the academic year?
No, our Missouri State tour guides are called University Ambassadors. View our SOAR leader position description for details regarding the duties of a SOAR leader.
SOAR leader requirement questions
This is my first semester at Missouri State. How do I meet the 2.75 GPA requirement?
OTP staff will ask first semester students to submit a copy of their midterm grades during the second round of interviews. These grades will be used while considering candidates.
Remember, selected SOAR leaders must maintain a 2.75 or higher GPA throughout employment. OTP staff will review SOAR leaders' grades each semester to determine employment eligibility.
I am unable to attend take IDS 280 in the Spring semester. Can I still be a SOAR leader?
No. This course provides future SOAR leaders with necessary training and preparation, so it cannot be missed.
I will not be able to be present during some of the training and/or SOAR sessions this summer. Can I still be a SOAR leader?
Generally, no. Because we have a limited ability for other individuals to cover missing SOAR leader's work, we require all SOAR leaders to attend all training and SOAR sessions.
However, we do understand unusual circumstances occur, and a staff member can review situations on a case-by-case basis to approve exceptions. Foreseeable situations, such as study away trips, family vacations, conflicting internships, etc. are generally not approved exceptions. Contact newbears@missouristate.edu if you have questions.
I plan to study away. Can I still be a SOAR leader?
Study away experiences are academically and personally enriching, and we encourage students to participate in them. However, they must be planned carefully to ensure candidates will be available to attend all training and SOAR sessions. Contact newbears@missouristate.edu if you have questions; provide as many details about your desired trip as possible.
May I take summer classes while I am a SOAR leader?
SOAR leaders may not take in-person classes during the summer, as there are typically very few courses of these type that do not conflict with SOAR activities.
Additionally, online courses are highly discouraged due to the summer schedule. The SOAR schedule can be demanding for the leaders, and past leaders have discovered that it is difficult to give online courses the attention needed to be successful. The decision to complete an online course during the summer should be discussed with the OTP staff, and will be limited to one per term if necessary.
Can I serve as a SOAR leader and work at another on-campus job during the summer?
No. SOAR leaders work about 40 hours a week during the summer, so there is not an opportunity to work other on-campus positions during that time.
Is on-campus housing provided during SOAR? Do I have to live on campus during SOAR?
SOAR leaders are provided on-campus housing from May 26 to July 28, 2020; they are required to reside on campus during training and SOAR sessions. On-campus living allows SOAR leaders to better care for SOAR participants during their campus stay.
When new students are not staying on campus (typically Thursday night, Friday and Saturday), SOAR leaders are permitted to stay off campus.