Job Description

The Resident Assistant (RA) is a paraprofessional staff member of the Division of Campus Residences and reports directly to the Residence Hall Director (RHD). RAs play an integral part in the overall operation of the residence halls. Primarily, the RA is concerned with the growth and development of each individual on his/her floor and the building community as a whole. Additionally, RAs are continually striving to enhance the quality of life for those residents. Specific responsibilities of the RA position are listed below. However, additional responsibilities may depend on the needs of a particular college and hall to which the RA is assigned.

Requirements of the RA Position

As a member of the Residential Programs Resident Assistants, you are expected to conduct yourself in accordance with the goals, objectives and ideals of the Department of Residential Programs. Listed below are the general expectations of the Resident Assistant; specific expectations from supervisors will be discussed at the start of the position.

• All Resident Assistants must maintain at least a 2.50 semester and cumulative grade point average (3.00 for graduate Resident Assistants), earn at least 12 credits (9 credits for graduate Resident Assistant)each semester, and be in good academic standing with the University.
• All Resident Assistants must be in good disciplinary standing with the Division of Campus Residences.
• All Resident Assistant positions are for the one contract cycle which is indicate by the contract dates found on the Statement of Understanding & Acceptance. Please note that the actual start dates will be reflected in the statement of Understanding & Acceptance. The following are the basic contract months for a Resident Assistant:

Remunerations

• Housing Bedwaiver
• Meal Plan Stipend
  • $125 - First Year RA (Apartment Meal Plan)
  • $200 - Second Year RA (Apartment Meal Plan)
  • $300 - First Year RA (Standard Meal Plan)
  • $500 - Second Year RA (Standard Meal Plan)

Additional Benefits

• Priority Registration
• Professional Development Opportunity

Outline of Job Responsibilities

1. Advising, Communication, and Resource Referral:
   • Know the residents of your hall. Be aware of their personal, social and academic concerns
   • Refer to your RHD any resident whom you perceive needs professional attention
   • Be visible, available and approachable to hall residents
   • Be objective and unbiased in interactions with students
   • Hold monthly floor meetings
   • Be familiar with campus and community resources
   • Be familiar with and communicate safety and emergency procedures
   • Keep floor members informed of all pertinent information and deadlines, including posting necessary notices on your hall
   • Keep the RHD informed of what is happening on your floor
   • Be familiar with, communicate and uphold housing policies and procedures in a positive manner
   • Be familiar with and communicate information about the campus dining services and meal plan options
2. Community Developmemt:
   • Assess the needs of your residents on a continual basis. Initiate, plan and organize programs of social, educational, cultural and recreational nature
   • Attend, encourage, and motivate residents to get involved in programs and activities including but not limited to LEG, Homecoming, Spirit Week, and 'Tis the Season
   • Be familiar with, enforce, and be able to explain Campus Residences and University policies and regulations and the University Judicial System
   • Support and encourage freshman students to participate in their assigned Undergraduate Colleges
   • Encourage students to take responsibility for their own actions by establishing behavioral standards that promote the concept of common courtesy and consideration for others; including role modeling appropriate behavior
3. Administrative/Duty Responsibility:
   • Provide on-duty coverage when the residence halls are open and occupied. This includes, but is not limited to, Thanksgiving, intersession, and spring break
   • Be sensitive to the issue of confidentiality
   • Consistantly check and respond to assigned University email account on a bi-weekly basis
   • Conduct Health & Safety inspections on a monthly basis and during nightly rounds while on duty
   • Adhere, understand, and familiarize residents with community safety, emergency and fire evacuation
   • Report and document in a neat, timely and orderly fashion all incidents, concerns, and situations which threaten the health, safety and security of hall and college residents
   • Complete assigned paper work and administrative tasks in a timely manner
   • Be familiar with and be able to explain housing and maintenance procedures
   • Utilize master keys only as outlined in established procedures
   • Assist RHD with preparation of residence hall for opening and closing which includes RCRs, SCRs, occupancy verification, and damage billings
   • Complete requirement as assigned by campus dining services as assigned by Campus Residences in conjunction with FSA
   • Participate in a rotating, on-call duty roster. Duty hours are as follows:
     
     Duty Coverage (7 days a week)
     Office Coverage -7:00-11:00pm
     Overnight 11pm-8:30am (Phone Coverage)
     24-Hour Duty Coverage of Saturday and Sunday
     
   • Follow all other duty procedures as outlined in Departmental guidelines and by your RHD
   • Arrive early before student check-in and stay late after the closing of the halls to assist in opening and closing tasks
4. Interpersonal Skills/Paraprofessional Devlopment:
   • Exhibit effective listening and confrontation skills
   • Challenge yourself to achieve higher levels of awareness of people's perceptions; maintaining appropriate sensitivity and awareness of cultural norms
   • Maintain a high level of customer service at all times
   • Recognize limitations and utilize appropriate resources
   • Follow-through on decisions
   • Use common sense and good judgment in decision making
   • Attend all meetings and training on time
   • Balance time commitments
   • Be receptive to paraprofessional and personal development
   • All Resident Assistants are required to attend training as scheduled at the Quad and Division wide levels. This will include, but is not limited to, pre-service training prior to each semester as well as inservice training throughout the semester
   • All staff are expected to assist in the recruitment and selection of new Resident Assistants members. This includes identifying strong candidates and helping with the individual and placement interviews