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Resident Assistant Program

Steps to Becoming a Resident Assistant (RA)

To become a Resident Assistant:

• Meet the criteria for the position (full-time, undergraduate, enrolled Sophomore, Junior, or Senior student; 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher; previously resided in University Housing for at least one full year; no college disciplinary record)
• Submit an RA application
• Interview with the Student Affairs panel for RA selection
• Job placement will be determined by the Assistant Director of Residence Life

If selected your first steps will be to:

• Read the required literature, as assigned by the Assistant Director of Residence Life, before attending the RA training in August;  RAs read the textbook: Resident Assistant - Working with College Students in Residence Halls (5th Edition) by Gregory S. Blimling
• Attend an initial Resident Assistant Orientation/Training Workshop
• Meet with your Resident Hall/Apartment Director and fellow RAs in the residence hall/apartment for team building and thorough learning.  The particulars of the facility and programming for the semester will become a part of of your assignment.
• Contact each resident, by phone, letter, or electronic messaging, to introduce yourself prior to the residents' arrival.

As an RA, Residence Life will provide:

• Subsidized, on-campus housing, and a monthly salary
• Support from Assistant Director of Residence Life with monthly meetings and training sessions
• Support from Resident Director with weekly meetings and updates
• Training in CPR and other useful Emergency Procedures (Fire Evacuation, Tornado Drills, Bomb Threats, Suicide and Crime Situations)
• Other staff development training

Quick Tips for Resident Assistants:

• Know the Campus - go on a campus tour to re-familiarize yourself with Big Blue Country
• Get to know the Residents - plan and participate in Residence Life activities and events
• Know the Chain of Command - RA --> Hall/Apt. Manager -->Asst. Residence Dir. --> Resident Dir. --> Asst. Dir. of Residence Life--> Director of Residence Life --> Vice President for Student Affairs --> University President
• Know Yourself - be able to balance your relationships with your residents and colleagues, perform assigned tasks  and maintain high academic standards