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First Year Leadership Experience

The First Year Leadership Experience is an opportunity for First Year students to help foster the growth of their new residential and class communities through core values of academic rigor, diversity and multiculturalism, health and wellness, honor, public service and student self-governance.

Run collaboratively by Housing & Residence Life and the U.Va. Alumni Association, FYLE helps students develop a well-rounded set of practical leadership skills, interact with faculty and staff from across Grounds, and work with motivated student leaders dedicated to serving the needs of their class.

FYLE is one experience made up of two organizations:

  • Association Councils:
     Each Association Council is the representative body of the students living within a set of associated residence halls. Students join Association Council to make the residence hall feel more like home by organizing fun social programs, community service opportunities, and collaborating with First Year Council.

  • First Year Council:
    First Year Council (FYC) is the representative body of undergraduate students in their first academic year at the University. As a "special status" organization, FYC acts as an agent of the University and has a direct reporting relationship to the Alumni Association and the Office of the Dean of Students. FYC is charged with bringing the First Year class together in ways that build class identity. FYC must also build long-lasting affection directly for their class, the University, and by extension the Alumni Association. The First Year Council has its own constitution, officers, members and agenda that are separate from the University–wide Student Council. Every member of First Year Council serves on a committee which plans programs that meet the specific needs of First Year students.



Frequently Asked Questions about the First Year Leadership Experience

What is the process for participating in FYLE?
Information sessions take place in late August, with elections occurring in early September. You run to be a part of the Association Council, not for any particular position. You will be elected by your peers based on demonstrated leadership potential. All 7 elected members will attend a leadership retreat on a Saturday in September. At this retreat, you will participate in team-building activities, position selection, and goal-setting for the year.

Please note, students must be elected as a member of their Association Council and then designated as a FYC Rep at the retreat in order to serve on First Year Council and to be eligible to run for a FYC Executive Board position.

What positions are available?
Association Councils have 7 Executive Board positions, each of which has a different focus, yet works in tandem with the other positions to serve the residential community:

  • President
  • Vice-President
  • Community Outreach Coordinator
  • Public Relations Coordinator
  • 3 First Year Council Representatives
Three members of every Association Council will serve as FYC Representatives with dual responsibilities to both their Association and First Year Council. The three available positions are:
  • First Year Council Communications Coordinator
  • First Year Council Community Outreach Coordinator
  • First Year Council Public Relations Coordinator

What's the expected time commitment?
As with any leadership position, what you get out of it depends on what you put into it. Association Councils typically meet once a week and host a program once every couple of weeks. First Year Council meets at an additional biweekly meeting, typically on Wednesdays.

What educational opportunities are there for Council members?
After you are elected, have attended the retreat, and are up and running as an Association Council, you will have the opportunity to attend up to 7 one-hour leadership workshops. These events will be based on the student experience core values listed at the top of this page.

What if I run for election... and lose?
It happens! But don't worry, your Association Council and First Year Council will welcome your support throughout the year. Speak with your RA about becoming an Association Council Hall Rep or getting involved in one of the many other leadership opportunities across Grounds.

For more information, contact:
Andy Petters
Assistant Dean of Students, First Year Areas
amp3ak@virginia.edu

Priya Vithani
Program Coordinator, Housing & Residence Life
pdv4mt@virginia.edu