Office of Residence Life

RESIDENT ASSISTANT - Job Description

Function of Position: 

     The function of the Resident Assistant is to work with other residence hall staff members and the hall residents to facilitate an environment within the residence hall that will contribute to the intellectual, social, and cultural development of the students.  The Resident Assistant articulates the philosophy and policies of the Office of Residence Life and the University to students, and in turn, represents the needs of the students to the administration.

Responsibilities:

1.      Being available and accessible to the students by spending a great deal of time on the floor.

2.      Knowing all the students on the floor, and in the building.

3.      Counseling students with personal, social, and academic problems.

4.      Referring students to appropriate departments for assistance.

5.      Reporting emergencies or serious illness.

6.      Respecting confidentiality.

7.      Maintaining the "livability" of their buildings by educating, encouraging, and confronting students with respect to their physical unit (neatness and safety), maintaining a reasonable noise level, and respecting the rights of other students.

8.      Encouraging students to make the most of their college experience.  This experience is a unique one and the Resident Assistant should make students aware of the various possibilities for learning and activity. 

            More specifically, the RA should:

·        recognize the talents and interests of students and encourage beneficial outlets for those talents and interests.

·        try to build self-confidence in students while helping them recognize their abilities and talents.

·        encourage students to try new activities and/or pursue familiar ones.

·        encourage students to seek out professors and instructors when academic difficulties or questions occur.

·        work with residence hall government to make it functional and productive.

9.      Explaining and enforcing University policy.

10.  Working closely with other residence hall staff members, i.e., other Resident Assistants, the Head Resident, and the professional staff in the Administration of the residence hall program. 

            Specific aspects of this responsibility include:

·        assisting in orientation and room selection.

·        reporting maintenance problems.

·        taking duty on a regular basis.

·        assisting in the clearance of residents from the hall at vacation periods and at the end of each semester.

·        keeping students informed about the University through meetings, posters, flyers, etc.

·        work with room changes on staff member's floor.

·        maintain all room inventories for staff member's floor.

11.  Assisting in the recruitment and selection of Resident Assistants.

12.  Participating on special University committees.

13.  Maintaining constant and active communication with the Head Resident on all matters pertinent to the Resident Assistant position.

14.  Attending

·        staff workshop sessions	·        weekly hall staff meetings
·        in-service training sessions	·        hall government meetings
·        campuswide meetings	·        committees as assigned

15.  Coordinating and implementing programming.

16.  Attending and supporting activities and functions sponsored by the residence hall.

17.  Assisting in the formation of policies and programs with the residence hall staff and the Director of Residence Life.

Authority

     The Resident Assistant has the authority to implement University policies and procedures and to make recommendations for Resident Assistant hiring.

Reportability

     The Resident Assistant reports directly to their Area Coordinator through the Head Resident.

Accountability

The Resident Assistant is accountable for the policies and procedures of the Office of Residence Life and the University. This accountability responds to the entire University community and supporting community.

Qualifications

1.      Admission to Susquehanna University as an undergraduate student in good standing and of senior, junior, or sophomore class status.

2.      Enrolled in the University for at least one semester as a full-time student.

3.      Evidence of meaningful participation in university and/or community activities.

4.      A cumulative grade point average of 2.25 or above.

5.      Must have experienced residence hall living for at least one semester.

6.      Some of the desired personal qualities expected for a Resident Assistant include:

·        self-discipline.

·        interest in people on an individual basis and awareness of the feelings, needs, and rights of others.

·        interest in group living and in promoting positive aspects of community life on his/her floor and in the hall as a whole.

·        commitment to the position.

·        positive attitude about self, students, faculty, staff and the University.

·        effective leadership skills.

·        sense of self-awareness.

·        effective communication skills.

·        maturity of judgment.

·        ability and willingness to work cooperatively in a group effort as well as independently.

Terms of Employment

1.      The RA should be available to students within their unit on a regular basis.  This involves spending as much time as possible in the hall.

2.      The RA is expected to coordinate and implement at least three programs per semester, of which one should be social, one educational, and one cultural.

3.      A 2.25 minimum grade point average must be maintained throughout an Assistant's appointment. Failure to maintain a 2.25 cumulative grade point average and semester grade point average may result in probation and/or termination.

4.      All appointments are for one academic year.

5.      RA's will be evaluated periodically on a formal basis and informally on a continuing basis. Reappointment or continuation in the position is dependent on the Assistant's evaluation of satisfactory performance.

6.      The RA is expected to attend 2-3 in-service training per semester.

7.      The RA must not assume any paid responsibilities outside of the RA job without prior approval from the Director of Residence Life.

8.      The RA is expected to assume duty responsibilities each week.  This will involve designated times to be in the hall and available for all hall responsibilities.   

9.      The RA must participate in all staff workshops:

·        Fall Workshop — beginning approximately one week prior to the arrival of the freshmen.

·        Winter Training — 2 to 3 days prior to the start of the Spring semester.

·        Spring Workshop — held during Senior Week (week between the end of finals and graduation)

10.  The RA must share in the responsibility for closing and opening of their hall during the recess periods. 

11.  The RA's are expected to check out their floor completely at the end of the academic year and remain on campus until all residence halls are secure.

(RAJOBDES.doc)