Training

What will happen during training?

• You will learn the expectations of the UGA role.
• You will have an opportunity to practice and prepare for dealing with some of the more difficult aspects of the UGA position.
• Your community/House staff will develop as a team and get to know each other well.
• Your community/House staff will develop group norms and expectations and plan for the term.
• You will prepare your floor and community/House for resident arrival.
• You will help with first-year orientation (even if you do not have first-year students).
• Some of your residents will already be living on your floor — you will be their UGA!

A note about continuing education and training for UGAs: All UGAs are expected to continue to develop their leadership knowledge, awareness and skills through continuing education. Details about how to complete these requirements will be shared through weekly meetings.

All UGAs are expected to attend training during their assigned terms. These trainings occur prior to the start of each term. Your arrival dates will be communicated well in advance.

Fall-term UGAs are required to attend all of fall training and help with first-year and upper-class openings. Training dates for fall, winter, and spring terms can be found below.

New winter and spring term UGAs who do not attend fall training will attend the required training at the start of each term and work closely with their Assistant Director to train on the job.

If you would like to be a DOC trip leader, note that the new trips schedule implemented in 2021 overlaps with UGA training, so there is limited availability for this to occur. ONLY returning UGAs who have successfully completed Fall Training, exhibit satisfactory job performance, and have approval from their Assistant Director and UGA Selection, will be allowed to participate in the trips programming.

Some student leadership opportunities conflict with the UGA role and training responsibilities (including but not limited to the following: DOC Directorate, DOC Croos, and Pre-Orientation program mentors). This often means that you must choose between the UGA position and additional leadership opportunities as they cannot be sustained simultaneously. Please discuss these potential conflicts with your direct supervisor well in advance of the conflicts.

Training Dates 2026-2027:

Fall 2026 Training: TBD

Winter 2027 Training: TBD

Spring 2027 Training: TBD

Many years there is an extremely short turnaround time between summer and fall term, which means signing the UGA contract may mean you will not be able to plan for a break between summer and fall terms. Here is some guiding advice for those in different situations.

• For those taking classes in the summer: Please note that in most years you will likely not have any break between the summer term and the fall term. We recommend you work with your professors to take exams early if possible if you require time between the two terms.
• For those with internships that end after the start of training: In order to request late arrival for training due to an internship conflict, you must show evidence (in writing) of negotiating a departure time with your employer to make training on time. Only in cases where UGAs can show that their employers are unwilling to compromise on date departures (in writing) will the training committee consider approving a late arrival.
• For fall varsity athletes: Please notify the UGA Training Committee and your supervisor of your pre-season schedule.