For New UDRs
Congratulations! You've been chosen as an undergraduate departmental representative UDR)!
Planning and organization are the main keys to success for all UDRs. We've put together a list of action items for you to take in your first days on the job.
- Identify your primary department/program contact(s) and decide on how often you will meet each semester and the best way to communicate with each other and with your majors and minors.
- Contact your communications and events administrator to post your biography, photo and contact information on your department/program website and in the main administrative office.
- Send an introductory email to all majors and minors in your program. Let them know who you are, ways in which you can advise them, what you’re planning to do and how to contact you.
- Draft an email introducing yourself to the faculty of your program/department. Share your plans for the year and ask how you can be of assistance. The academic administrator can email the faculty on your behalf.
- Ask professors of large or introductory classes for a few minutes at the beginning or end of class to introduce yourself and get email addresses from students who aren't in your department/program who want to receive your emails.
Examine Program Needs and Plan Accordingly
Meeting with your academic administrator and/or undergraduate advising head to review plans for the upcoming year is an important first step in starting your job as a UDR. To prepare for this meeting, we suggest reviewing past UDR reports and surveys for ideas. Additionally:
Think about what you want to accomplish during each semester as a UDR and set one or two goals for yourself and the department/program.
- What specific information would be most useful to the department/program?
- What projects might you undertake?
- What programs were well-received in the past?
- What programs were not successful?
- Examine why some programs were successful and some were not.
Not sure what kind of initiative to have? Check out ideas for UDR initiatives, along with our planning guide for more tips and information.