What is the main difference between an OL’s role and a staff member?

• A. OLs enforce campus policies and provide services
• B. OLs are responsible for campus budgets
• C. OLs oversee official academic advising
• D. OLs are student leaders who act as peer ambassadors, while staff provide official policies and services

Answer: (D)

The main distinction is between student-led peer roles and professional staff roles. Orientation Leaders are student leaders who act as peer ambassadors—welcoming new students, answering questions, guiding groups, and sharing personal tips to help others feel connected. They provide informal, relatable support rather than enforcing rules or running official operations. Staff are the professionals who implement official policies and provide campus services, such as enforcing regulations, managing budgets, and coordinating formal advising. So the option that describes OLs as student leaders who act as peer ambassadors, while staff provide official policies and services, best captures the difference. The other choices place activities like policy enforcement, budget responsibility, or overseeing advising with OLs, which are duties of staff, not OLs.