Can I apply to be a FroCo?
Members of class of 2027 or 27.5 currently in academic good standing and otherwise eligible to serve in a student leadership capacity in Yale College are eligible to apply in this cycle.
To whom do counselors report?
The Yale College Deanʼs Office runs the First-Year Counselor Program and hires the selected counselors each year. However, residential college deans manage the individual college teams on a day-to-day basis.
How are FroCos compensated?
FroCo compensation comes in the form of a stipend equivalent to the housing and meal cost for that academic year.
How many hours do counselors work per week?
It differs from week to week. The workload is heaviest at the beginning of the academic year and possibly during fall term exam periods. REVISE In general, the workload eases a bit over the course of the year with the goal of having first years becoming more independent in the spring term. Certain work hours, such as duty nights, are predetermined, if necessary, on a required as needed basis.
However, much of a counselorʼs work occurs on ad hoc basis, such as initiating connections with first years or responding to urgent situations when a first-year may be displaying signs of distress, or there is a disruption within the college or on campus more broadly.
It differs from week to week. The workload is heaviest at the beginning of the academic year and during exam seasons. In general, the workload eases a bit over the course of the year with the goal of having first years becoming more independent in the spring term.
Certain work hours, such as duty nights, are predetermined, if necessary, on a required as needed basis. However, much of a counselor’s work occurs on an ad-hoc basis, such as initiating connections with first-years or responding to crisis situations.
May counselors have a second job?
Yes, provided permission from the residential college dean. FroCo duties take priority over all other commitments, so any sA counselor may only accept a term-time job on-campus that requires more than ten-hours per week of with express advance approval of their residential college dean and the Associate Dean of Residential College Life. The same restriction holds for any off-campus employment, or an extracurricular commitment that would demand more than ten hours per week.econd job must be flexible and limited to 10 hours per week.
Can counselors confer confidentially with CCEs, Peer Liaisons, Camp Yale Leaders, or other student leaders?
First year counselors are mandatory reporters therefore FroCos should make it clear that any relevant information shared with them will be passed forward to their residential college dean or another requisite university administrator. FroCos should also be mindful to not share sensitive student information, or information regarding a student’s status as a member of protected class, pending, or prospective disciplinary action with CCEs, Peer Liaisons, Varsity Captains, or other student leaders.
May counselors be active participants in senior societies?
Yes. However, whenever conflicts occur, counselor obligations must take precedence over society activities (as with all other extracurricular activities).
Does duty prevent a counselor from attending special events such as Masquerade?
No, FroCos are not required to hold a duty night during Masquerade, but they are expected to comport themselves in a manner that will allow them to function in an emergency situation if called upon.
May counselors have parties in their suites?
Yes, insofar as the party is contained within the suite does not have first-years in attendance, and does not attract negative attention. Again, FroCos are expected to maintain exemplary standards of behavior.
May counselors have alcohol in their suites?
Yes, if of legal age. At the same time, counselors are expected to be extremely responsible in their use of alcohol and set a good example for the first-years.
Does the above policy apply to college events?
If alcohol at an event is managed by a professional organization (like at a college dance), and there is a certified bartender, a counselor may drink and be in the same space as a counselee. (In this case, of course, very few first-years will be able to drink anyway.)
May counselors be romantically or sexually involved with a first-year student?
No. Counselors have a great deal of authority and influence in the lives of first-years. The inherently imbalanced power dynamic is inappropriate for any romantic or sexual interaction, even if consensual. This restriction holds irrespective of whether the first-year and the counselor share the same college affiliation.
May counselors drink alcohol in the same space as their counselees?
No. This policy is in place to protect counselors, who are employees of Yale and as such carry some authority. A counselor who witnesses a first-year drinking and does not intervene assumes some responsibility for any situation that may later arise as a result. However, this restriction is less obtrusive than it may seem at first. The only common environment in which a counselor and counselee have access to alcohol within the same space is a student organization event. Counselors who plan to remain active in such a student organization should work with the organization’s leadership at the beginning of the year to explain the restriction. Most organizations have been able to manage this restriction without a problem.
