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Resident Assistants are leaders who are critically tied to the success of our on campus students. It is a rewarding leadership opportunity that demands a lot, and our most successful RAs are those who find a good match with who we are and what we strive to do in Residence Life.

RA Selection Information

Minimum qualifications for hire:

  • 2.50 minimum cumulative GPA and free from academic probation, 2.0 minimum semester GPA

  • On-campus living experience in University approved housing

  • Free of or only minor disciplinary history

Items worth noting

  • You can find assistance on resumes by contacting Career Services in the University Center. 

  • In discussing whether or not a candidate is hirable, only information in the candidate's file is permissible. Residence Life staff is allowed to provide feedback about candidates outside of the interview process for their file. The director will determine whether any information supplied in this manner will unduly affect a candidate, and will meet with the candidate to give the opportunity to respond to the information.

  • Each student's financial aid package is unique. If you have questions on how employment as an RA will affect you, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Resident Assistant Application and Reference Form

The Resident Assistant Application is currently open! The application will close Sunday, October 20th. Click the button below to apply.

SPRING 2025 RA APPLICATION

REPORTS TO:

One of the following Residence Life Professional Staff Members

  • Residence Hall Coordinators

  • Assistant Director of Residence Life

  • Director of Residence Life

WORKS WITH:

  • Student Services

  • Other campus resources

POSITION GOALS:

  • To assist in providing a safe and supportive environment within the residence halls that is conducive to academic achievement and overall personal growth

  • To assist in performing administrative tasks related to the general operation of the residence halls (e.g., record-keeping, key distribution, building maintenance and safety, damage assessment, hall opening and closing procedures, communication with residents, etc.)

  • To support the orientation to college life and personal development of students, by a) scheduling and implementing educational, social, cultural, recreational, and community building activities in the halls that complement comprehensive learning and development; and b) offering resource and referral information to students regarding academic and personal issues, relevant programs and services, and campus organizations and events

  • To represent, interpret, and enforce University objectives, policies, rules, regulations, and goals to students, and to convey student attitudes, opinions, and actions to appropriate University officials

  • To serve as a role model for students living in the residence halls

Resident Assistant Performance Responsibilities

Agent of the University and Residence Life

  • Support the goals, objectives, and philosophy of the Residence Life program and the educational mission of the University

  • Assist in maintaining the University’s image when dealing with students, parents, staff, and visitors to the halls

  • Be an active member of the Resident Assistant team both at the hall and campus level

Administrative Duties

  • Communicate official notices and other information to residents through postings newsletters, meetings, etc.

  • Maintain hall records as directed

  • Complete administrative duties and other work in accordance with established deadlines, timelines, and procedures

  • Assist with distribution of keys/encoding of cards as students occupy rooms and to be available as requested in the event of lock-outs

  • Conduct health and safety checks and report concerns to the Residence Hall/Area Coordinator, as described in the Residence Life Manual

  • Remain or return to campus in time for the closing and opening of the halls at semester and break periods (Fall Opening, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, and Spring Closing) to assist as directed by the Residence Hall/Area Coordinator

  • Assist in RA Selection, including recruitment and other activities

  • To undertake all other reasonable duties in the hall that are requested by the Residence Hall/Area Coordinators, Assistant Directors, Director, or the Vice President for Student Services

Ethics and Role Modeling

  • Behave in a manner consistent with the Ethical Guidelines for RAs, as described in the RA manual

  • Act as a positive role model on and off campus, and set an example both in knowing and abiding by University policies and local ordinances

  • Live in a single room and maintain it as a model for the community and to the credit of the institution

Community Development and Student Learning

  • In conjunction with, and reporting to the Residence Hall/Area Coordinator, intentionally create community-building and learning opportunities through implementation of the Residence Life Learning Plan, personal interaction with all floor/suite/apartment members, and all-hall social and educational activities

  • Initiate or assist with peacekeeping, mediation, and reconciliation to deal with interpersonal conflict within the residence halls as directed by, and in consultation with, the Residence Hall/Area Coordinator

  • Serve as a resource and advisor for those seeking to develop activities and events for the halls

  • Assess the needs of our residents and plan programs/activities accordingly

  • Work with hall staff to schedule, promote, and attend meaningful programs and events in line with the Residence Life Learning Plan

  • Identify, promote, and assist student leadership in the halls, including hall governance initiatives

  • Set standards for a positive, just, safe, and inclusive community'

Community and Behavioral Standards

  • Understand, abide by, and enforce all University policies, and assist students in understanding the University’s mission and community living policies

  • Monitor the hall environment and develop an atmosphere conducive to self-discipline, and establish a consistent expectation that noise and other distractions will not prevent residents from having an adequate space for study and sleep

  • Confront students when violations of rules or standards are observed and intervene appropriately, as outlined in the Residence Life Manual

  • Work with the Residence Hall/Area Coordinator, the Assistant Directors, the Director, and other staff in dealing with, and documenting, inappropriate behavioral trends

  • Respond appropriately to emergencies as discussed in the Residence Life Manual, and as directed by the Professional Staff or the Vice President of Student Services Office

  • Participate regularly in the hall duty schedule

Individual Support and Referrals

  • Have sufficient knowledge of University resources to provide effective referral to various support services

  • Advise, counsel, and listen to residents and to monitor staff concerns about individuals or situations

Availability and Time Commitment

  • Maintain visibility and accessibility to residents in assigned residence hall

  • Participate fully in staff training activities. Training is a year-long process consisting of August Training and continued training sessions throughout the year

  • Absences are approved by the Residence Hall/Area Coordinator, and RAs must complete makeup work as appropriate

  • Participate fully in regularly scheduled staff meetings and individual supervision meetings with Residence Hall/Area Coordinator

  • Participate fully in any necessary meetings as determined by the Residence Life professional staff

  • Weekends away must be communicated ahead of time to Residence Hall/Area Coordinator, and are generally limited to one per month, with exceptions made by the Residence Hall/Area Coordinator in consultation with the professional staff. Special weekends (including but not limited to Homecoming, Halloween, etc.) are designated as “blackout dates” that require RAs to remain on campus.  Expectations for these weekends are determined by the Residence Hall/Area Coordinator in consultation with the professional staff.

  • Arrange in advance and in writing all absences from campus with the Residence Hall/Area Coordinator

Conditions for Employment

  • Resident Assistants charged with violation of campus regulations, ethical standards, or civil law will be subject to probation or termination

  • A student may not be awarded or maintain a Resident Assistant position while on academic or disciplinary probation, and must be a full-time student with at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA. Not meeting this expectation is grounds for release from employment

  • Involvement in other employment or activities (as described below) is contingent upon satisfactory performance by the Resident Assistant

  • Resident Assistants may not be employed off campus without prior written approval from the Residence Hall/Area Coordinator, and are limited to a maximum of 10-12 hours per week

  • Significant on-campus employment and extracurricular involvement (e.g., varsity athletics, touring ensembles, student organization leadership) must be approved in writing and in advance

  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Expectations

  • Be a positive role model, both in your academic work and your behavior

  • Build positive relationships with your residents and fellow staff members (Residence Hall/Area Coordinators, Assistant Directors, Director, and Resident Assistants)

  • Participate in your staff duty rotation in an equitable manner, which may include University breaks

  • Maintain a positive, professional attitude without misusing your position or authority