Important Information Regarding RA Positions
Training
ALL Resident Advisors are required to participate in the Fall Training and Leadership Workshop, held one week prior to Fall Semester Check-in and the Winter Training and Leadership Workshop, held three days prior to spring check in.
Introduction to Residential Communities and Leadership
All new Resident Advisors are required to enroll in the academic course "Introduction to Residential Communities and Leadership". This three credit course will be
conducted during the Fall Semester and satisfactory performance is required to hold a position for the academic year.
If you are selected for the upcoming Spring semester, you are also required
to enroll in this course. The Spring 2010 course schedule is to be determined.
University Standing
A Resident Advisor must be a sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student at time of employment or have a minimum of 30 credit hours completed and/or
two semesters of enrollment. A student who has an active judicial or honor court sanction at the time of application may not apply or serve as a Resident Advisor.
Grades
All applicants for the position must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 must be maintained by all employed Resident
Advisors, although a higher average is encouraged. Whenever a Resident Advisor's
cumulative GPA falls below a 2.25, or whenever a Resident Advisor earns less
than 2.25 for two consecutive semesters, the RA is suspended from the position
until grades meet or exceed the requirement.
Salary
The current compensation for new Resident Advisors consists of 18 consecutive payments of $125.00 during the academic year paid twice a month
to the individual. RAs also receive a full room scholarship for the employment contract period. Resident Advisors are responsible for
purchasing a board plan at their own expense. The total of the compensation plan approximates the cost of room plus board.
Financial Aid
Earnings from the Resident Advisor position may affect the amount of aid a student receives for the academic year. In addition, the room
scholarship is considered aid similar to any other scholarship and may impact a student's financial aid package. Direct your specific
questions about the impact of earnings or room scholarship on your aid to your assigned Financial Aid counselor in the Office of Scholarships
and Financial Aid. This analysis is strongly recommended prior to accepting any offer of employment!
Assignments
The Office of Student Programs assigns Resident Advisors to specific residence
halls and rooms. Assignments are generally based on staff and community needs
identified by professional staff and hall supervisors. Students who request
air conditioning must be certified under the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) through the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities before assignment
to air conditioned space. The certification must be complete prior to March
2, 2010. Certification under the ADA is information recorded in the permanent
student record.
Housing Contracts
All RA applicants must enter the Housing Application Process. Students selected as Resident Advisors are required to contract for housing. RAs
that leave their positions, for whatever reason, prior to the start of the Fall Semester will be offered on-campus housing only by their
priority status in the Housing Application Process. Those that leave staff after the beginning of the Fall semester are considered as having
on-campus status and will be re-assigned to an available space. Failure to enter the Housing Application Process will result in being eliminated
from the RA selected process. Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.
Roommates
Resident Advisors begin the school year with temporary roommates. As occupancy permits, temporary roommates are reassigned,
providing RAs with a single occupancy room.
Duty Hours
The Resident Advisor is expected to be available for a minimum of four nights per week and is required to serve scheduled weekday and weekend
duty. During duty shifts, the Resident Advisor is required to remain in the building from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. RAs also conduct periodic rounds of the building. The frequency of duty will vary from
building to building, due to size of staff.
Leaves and Absence from Campus
Resident Advisors are expected to be on assignment whenever the residence halls are open, including a few days before the halls are opened and
the last day of closing. A select few residence halls (Newman, Hillcrest, Cochrane, Main Campbell, and the Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown) are open during academic breaks
and staff assigned to work in these buildings are expected to participate in staffing during these periods. Exceptions to the standard
leave policy must be cleared in advance with your respective supervisor.
Weekends
We encourage all staff members to take personal time on the weekends as staffing permits. Usually once a month is recommended.
Supplies
Resident Advisors will be issued and are responsible for returning various items including staff manuals, office forms, supplies and keys.
Supplies to support programming are available through the area offices, building offices and the Imaginarium.
Job Performance Evaluation
Resident Advisors are formally evaluated each semester by his/her residents, supervisor, and informally by him/herself. In the event
that a RA has failed to perform related duties to the position expectations, RA will not be reappointed to the position.
If a Resident Advisor's performance falls short of the position expectations at any time, he/she may, after consultation, be placed on probation
or terminated immediately by their supervisor. If terminated, the Resident Advisor must return all assigned
materials that are related to the position and reimburse for prorated room fees.
Other Co-curricular activities
Being a successful Resident Advisor takes a great deal of effort; however, we realize that RAs are often some of the key leaders
on campus. We encourage each RA to be involved; we want to make sure that he/she is not jeopardizing his/her respective roles.
NOTE: Additional employment, student teaching, or significant involvement in an organization or other co-curricular activity requires special
approval by the supervisor in advance. Do not assume that a "second job" will be approved, including work-study positions.
