How to Become a Bearcat Buddy
Students interested in parcipating in Bearcat Buddies must decide if they want to participate for volunteer hours or employment income. Students must be federal work study elligble for employment. Students interested in participating for employment should follow the Bearcat Buddies Employment guidelines before completing the registration steps. Students interested in participating for volunteer hours can proceed to registration.
Registration for Fall 2026 sessions are officially closed! Please click the button below to pre-register for priority registration for Spring 2027 sessions.
Orientation
Fall 2026 In-Person Orientation has passed. If you did not attend in-person orientation, you will need to attend a virtual orientation makeup session.
Please view this link to learn more about virtual orientation. Please keep in mind that this will take place via Microsoft Teams, will last approximately one hour, and you only need to attend one session.
Background Checks
All tutors are required to complete a local background each year. Please email bcatbuds@ucmail.uc.edu for a background check. If you have previously completed a background check, it is valid through the remainder of the semester during which you are tutoring and you may be excused from completing a background check.
Bearcat Buddies Program Agreement
Every tutor must complete a Bearcat Buddies Program Agreement prior to tutoring. Volunteer agreements are completed during the registration process. For reference, active and perspective tutors can view a copy of the volunteer agreement here: Bearcat Buddies Agreement
New Tutors: What to Expect
After you have completed all of your Bearcat Buddies orientation, you will get an email notification from the portal with reminders about the sessions you registered for. Please refer to your volunteer portal for specific information regarding transportation, time, and day, for your particular session.
At the conclusion of the semester, you will be required to complete a Bearcat Buddies evaluation form before final hours are awarded.