Berry College Residence Life Office

The Future Is In Your Hands

The Resident Assistant Application Process 2008

In general, the responsibilities of a Resident Assistant range from being a peer counselor, a resource person, a disciplinarian, an activities programmer, a friend for hall residents, a referral agent to other College and community services and sometimes, even a maintenance person. In other words, when help is needed, you can expect the RA to be involved in some way.

Generally, an RA is responsible for 30 to 40 residents on his/her floor, or area, which means that it is essential that the successful staff member be sensitive to the needs of many types of people.

With the need for sensitivity and understanding come the need for strength and confidence, because an RA is frequently challenged by the dual role of being both a friend and disciplinarian. The RA needs to be outgoing with the ability to generate interest and enthusiasm among strangers, especially at the beginning of the year.

As an RA, there are several basic requirements for the position. Some things that you should consider when applying for the position include:

Completion of the Resident Assistant Application Process (RAAP), a two week, eight hour training program of basic RA skills and peer helping. [An alternate is “Saturday/Sunday RAAP”—see below].
Participation in staff training sessions. These sessions include a workshop of six days that begins eleven days prior to the beginning of fall semester and up to four in-service programs each year.
Paricipation is closings. This entails staying until the last person on your floor leaves at the beginning of the breaks and at the end of the semester.
RAs sit duty for an average of five duty sessions a semester.
Without exception, RA staff are expected to conduct themselves in a fashion which reflects and is consisten with the expections the College has of all students.
And, finally, RAs are expected to be students first and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA—the current average GPA for RAs is 3.38.

Also, an RA must be ready and willing to learn a lot about him/herself. We are not looking for finished products—just someone willing to grow from experience.

Qualifications 2.5 G.P.A. Experience in campus, community or residence hall activities and organizations. Sophomore status at time of employment. Demonstrated skills in human relations, maturity, leadership potential, respect for diverse backgrounds, and sincere interest in students.	Benefits Single room at the double room rate (Townhouse RA's have suite-mates). Stipend through the Work Opportunity program.

RESIDENT ASSISTANT APPLICATION PROCESS TIMELINE

1/18/08 • RA Applications available: online application

2/6/08 • RA Applications due by 5:00 pm to the Residence Life Office

2/10/08 • RAAP Kick–off Meeting, 4:00 pm in the Excalibur, Third Krannert

2/11/08 • Beginning of Week One of RAAP Group Sessions

2/15-17/08 • Friday/Saturday/Sunday RAAP Group Session (Commitment of 7–8 hours in lieu of the weekly sessions)

2/18/08 • Beginning of Week Two of RAAP Group Sessions

3/2/08 • Final RAAP, 4:00 pm in Excalibur Room (third Krannert)—for those who were continued in to the interview phase of the process.

3/3/08 • Interviews Start

3/10/08 • Final Notification Letters (sometime this week)