K Crew, FUSION applications available

By Amelia Orwick

As Spring Break approaches, some UK groups are already preparing for the beginning of the Fall 2011 semester.

The start of every school year kicks off with K Week, which provides incoming freshman with fun activities, free food and a chance to meet new people before classes actually start.

Approximately 400 students make up the K Crew, who put on events throughout the week and act as mentors to new students throughout their first year at UK.

Now, K Crew and FUSION site leader applications are officially being made available to students.

“The K Crew should be outgoing, successful students with a great knowledge of UK,” said Cameron Hamilton, junior, who serves as K Crew Coordinator along with junior Christie Baughman.

With so many positions available, the coordinators hope that older students will take advantage of the opportunity to help newcomers and apply.

“Next year I hope I will be able to assist my group in making friends, having fun and getting involved,” said freshman Bridget Mahorney, who looks forward to joining the team.

K Crew application are located in the New Student and Parent Programs section of the UK website, or are available in 518 Patterson Office Building.

The deadline for submitting is March 11.

Once selected, the next step is a group interview, followed by both a spring and fall training session.

FUSION, which stands for “For Unity and Service In Our Neighborhood,” is another event that planners are seeking help with.

This day-long service event also takes place during K Week and is the largest of its kind in Kentucky.

Although the Executive Team and Coordinator application deadlines have already passed, students can still apply to be a Site Leader.

It is a site leader’s duty to direct groups of up to 20 students and welcome them to campus.

“We’re really looking to increase upperclassmen participation,” sophomore Geraldine Goh, FUSION executive director, said.

The site leader application was originally due Friday, Feb. 11. However, there has been talk of the possibility of extending the deadline.

While the primary goal of both K Week and FUSION is to make the transition into college as smooth as possible for freshman, this doesn’t mean that leaders won’t benefit from participating in the events a second time around.

“You meet a ton of new people, it’s a great resume builder and of course you gain leadership skills,” Hamilton said.