Resident Assistants

Position Overview

Resident Assistants are a team of returning students who live and work in the residence halls. They work with Head Residents, Area Coordinators, and other staff in the Office of Residence Life to develop programs and provide resources for students. Resident Assistants live in proximity to those residents assigned to him/her. Resident Assistants are selected for their academic proficiency, involvement in extracurricular activities, concern for the welfare of fellow students, and maturity to cope with the demands of their role. They are trained to be sensitive to the academic, social, and emotional development of college students.  Furthermore, their training makes them knowledgeable about college resources available to support their residents. 

Duties

Resident Assistants are expected to – 

• Know every resident within his/her assigned area.
• Provide residents opportunities for social interactions through hall programs.
• Provide monthly educational bulletin boards in the residence halls with topics relevant to the development of college students.
• Be knowledgeable about campus resources that can support residents.
• Be thoroughly familiar with all college and residence hall regulations and policies (VikingWeb) and be responsible for their enforcement in the residence halls.
• Assist Facilities Services and the Office of Residence Life by reporting needed repairs or other concerns in the residence halls.
• Staff the RA desks in the residence halls during the day and evening hours on weekdays and weekends on a rotating basis.
• Serve as on-call for resident needs on a rotating basis when the RA desk is not staffed.
• Staff the RA desks and serve as on-call on a rotating basis during all college breaks (Fall, Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring).
• Attend weekly staff meetings and trainings throughout the year.
• Be responsible to the respective Head Resident/Area Coordinator for the performance of the above-named duties as well as any additional duties assigned.

Training

Intensive training takes place prior to the opening of residence halls in the Fall and Spring semesters. Additionally, there are developmental trainings that Resident Assistants are required to attend throughout the year. All Resident Assistants are required to participate in all scheduled trainings

Application Process

Resident Assistant applications are available by the end of November on our housing portal software. A completed application including essays and references is due by the end of January. Resident Assistant interviews occur in early February. All Resident Assistant candidates participate in one-on-one interviews with Head Residents or Area Coordinators. The Director, Area Coordinators and Head Residents make hiring and placement decisions in mid-February. Once those decisions have been made, position decision letters are sent via email, and candidates are given a week or more to accept or decline the position and indicate a preferred roommate/suitemate for their assigned space. All RAs for the upcoming year are required to attend a Spring RA Kickoff in April.