We are so excited to welcome a brand new class of Guides in the Fall of 2024!
In the Fall, follow these steps to join the University Guide Service! Please reach out to our Recruitment Co-Chairs Hewan Kasie (tnt9ad@virgina.edu) or Goretty Bustamante Pinares (gwm6vu@virginia.edu) with any questions you may have.
Step 1: Attend an Info Session and Learn About the University Guide Service
The University Guide Service accepts new members at the beginning of each semester. These probationary members, known as “probies," spend a semester being trained by their UGS Probationary Chairs (fellow students and current Guides) and learning from older guides to prepare to give tours. Students trying out for Guides must be in their first, second, or third year, and should be able to commit to attending weekly Probie Class – a crash course in UVA history led by your Probie Chair – for three hours each Thursday night during their Probie Semester.
Learn more about what it is like to be a Guide. (insert link to “Being a Guide” page)
As the recruitment season begins, follow us on Instagram to keep up to date throughout the recruitment process! Our instagram will also give you a closer look at the regular happenings of UGS–make sure to check out our student spotlights and takeovers, which let you hear from current Guides about their experiences in the organization!
Ice Cream Social: We will be hosting an open Ice Cream social event at Lawn Room 38 East on Monday, August 26th, 10:00am - 2:00pm. Stop by to meet current members of the University Guide Service and ask them about their experiences in UGS, and to meet our Recruitment Co-Chairs!
Activities Fair: During the Fall 2024 Activities Fair hosted by Student Council, feel free to stop by the University Guide Service table located in the Special Status Organizations section where you can meet current members of UGS to learn about the organization and ask any questions you may have. The fair will be Monday, August 26 from 19:00a - 3:00p at South Lawn
Info Sessions: We ask that you attend an information session to learn more about UGS and speak to current Guides. Attending information and Q&A sessions will help you learn about the try-out process, get tips from current guides, and learn more about what is expected of UGS members. Information sessions are mandatory and a great way to get your questions answered and better understand what makes UGS so great! Our general sessions this semester are:
Monday, September 2, 5:00p - 6:00p in the Rotunda Multipurpose Room
Thursday, September 3, 5:00p - 6:00p in the Rotunda Multipurpose Room
Saturday, September 7, 4:00p - 5:00p in the Rotunda Multipurpose Room
For BIPOC students interested in trying out, we also have specific info sessions centered around you and any questions and concerns you may have!
Tuesday, September 3, 7:00 - 8:00 in the Rotunda Multipurpose Room
Friday, September 6, 4:00p - 5:00p in the Rotunda Multipurpose Room
The Rotunda Multipurpose Room is located in the hallway underneath the Rotunda Lawn-side before you enter the building itself.
In order to deliver a trial tour, you must attend one of these mandatory information sessions. If you would like to continue honing your trial tour or receive last minute tips on giving a successful tour, you are also free to attend our optional “office hours” workshop, which will take place in Lawn Room 50 East on Sunday, September 8th from 4:00pm - 6:00pm.
If you are unable to attend any of these information sessions, please reach out to our Recruitment Co-Chairs and they will be able to help you out!
Step 2: Prepare to Try Out
For our Fall 2024 recruitment season, you will give a 15 minute historical “trial tour” of the Lawn area to two current Guides (who will act as your "tourists"). The trial tour is meant to see how well you can craft an organized and meaningful tour, as well as to assess your public speaking abilities.
You will be able to sign up for a time slot between September 9th through the 13th for your trial tour at one of our info sessions (which is why it is important to attend a session)! Other sign-up opportunities may be offered, and will be announced via Instagram. If you can’t make it to the sign-up times, or need to cancel or reschedule your trial tour for any reason, you can reach out to our Recruitment Co-Chairs to see what slots are available.
To begin writing, we encourage you to refer to this historical fact sheet we have put together for you. Once you have written your tour, we recommend practicing giving your tour before you do so officially. As you prepare, please reach out to our Recruitment Co-Chairs, Goretty and Hewan, for any help you may need. They are equipped to offer you advice on how to go about your tours, suggestions for what to include, and any help you might need to prepare! The Recruitment Co-Chairs have no say in the selection process, meaning that you can truly ask them anything – they’re here to make sure you have the best possible experience trying out.
Our Recruitment Co-Chairs will also host open office hours in Lawn Room 50 East on Sunday, September 8th from 4:00pm - 6:00pm for you to come in and ask questions about UGS or your trial tour, or just to get to know current guides better!
Step 3: Give Your Trial Tour
Before your trial tour, you will receive an email with the Lawn room number where your “tourists” will meet you for your trial tour. Please plan to arrive ten minutes early to help the process run smoothly.
We completely understand that giving a trial tour can be very nerve wracking, but we highly encourage you to just go ahead and do it! Your “tourists” are your biggest supporters and would love to see you do an incredible job. If you’re feeling nervous, we strongly recommend reaching out to the Recruitment Co-Chairs who would be happy to help you with any concerns you may have.
Once you arrive, there will be a current Guide there to answer any last minute questions you may have and help you with what you may need then. Feel free to leave your belongings in this room and they will be happy to watch over your items. Your “tourists” will meet you at the room and they will provide some starting information. You can then walk with them to the starting location that you have selected for your tour before your time for the tour starts.
Step 4: Interview
At the end of your trial tour, your “tourists” will tell you when and where the list of students selected to receive an interview will be posted. The interview will be the week following trial tours, September 16 - September 20, and is conducted by a panel of current guides who will assess your diplomacy and ability to improvise in response to tough tour questions. It’s also a chance for you to share with us what sets you apart and would make you an excellent member of UGS. More information on the interview stage of the process is provided after trial tours have concluded. After the interview process, we will welcome new probationary members for the amazing semester ahead!
Non-Discrimination Clause: The University Guide Service does not restrict its membership, programs, or activities on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family and genetic information.
Key Dates
Open Ice Creme Social: Saturday, August 22th, 10 am - 2 pm
Information Sessions and Office Hours: September 2 - September 7
Trial Tour Week: September 9 - September 13
Interview Week: September 16 - September 20
Follow us on Instagram to keep up to date throughout the recruitment process!
Two roomie guides who always practice with each other! Practicing your trial tour with a friend is a great way to prepare to try out!
Dwyer probies Davis and Evie on the way to their first tour!