Red Caps are student leaders who aid incoming students and their parents during the orientations sessions by teaching them about life at the University of Hartford. Red Caps start their job about a week after graduation, May 23rd, where they will return to campus and start training for the upcoming Orientation sessions as well as make friends and form a small family.
“It’s a great leadership opportunity I would recommend it to anyone,” said Gabrielle Novak, assistant director of orientation. “We want every single freshman to be welcomed to our school because we love it and we want them to love it as much as we do.”
To tryout to become a Red Cap students must meet three requirements, they must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 by the end of the Fall semester, they should not have any current or previous student conduct charges or sanctions, and they have to turn in their application by February 12th at 4 p.m.
Following that students will have to attend three tryouts, which is February 13 from 7-9 p.m., February 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in GSU, and February 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Auerbach Auditorium. If a student can not make all three they should inform the assistant directors about this.
After the tryouts students will be called and told whether or not they made it to the interview phase which will happen from February 20-March 13, and then those students will be called and informed whether or not they are a Red Cap for the upcoming summer.
Novak also stated that students don’t always have to have an out there and in your face personality to become a Red Cap.
“A lot of our best Red Caps are probably the most quiet ones because they can go to the freshman in the corner and talk to them and make them feel comfortable,” she said.
Additionally, other than welcoming new students Red Caps have several traditions that they uphold to bring them even closer as a group, such as a dance, dinner at President Walter Harrison’s home, and much more.
For more information and the application visit: http://www.hartford.edu/student_affairs/departments/ssc/files/pdf/redcap_app.pdf
