Become a Resident Assistant

Leadership

RAs hold leadership positions and need to exercise authority in some situations. As leaders in their residence hall, RAs are expected to do the following:

• Assume the primary leadership role
• Serve as role models for responsible behavior and personal integrity
• Exercise good judgment
• Know and educate residents about all WSC policies, procedures, and regulations
• Develop strong facilitation, effective communication, and other leadership skills by participating in all residence life staff training and development activities and the Spring Leadership Conference
• Work closely with, support, and advise other leaders in the hall – such as the Assistant Director of Residence Life, Community Coordinator, Fellow RAs, Desk Staff, Custodial Staff, and RHA chairs
• Assume a leadership role in crises – such as fire drills, bomb threats, tornadoes, and other emergencies

Support the Academic Mission

In support of the academic progress of their residents, RAs are expected to:

• Serve as a role model for positive academic behavior
• Be knowledgeable about the general and departmental advising programs
• Know and be able to direct residents to the academic resources and support services on campus (e.g. learning center, peer tutors, TRIO, library resources)
• Help create residential environments that promote academics and are conducive to studying

Build Community

RAs are responsible for creating an environment in which all views, popular and unpopular, can be voiced, heard respectfully, and fully explored. RAs are expected to:

• Help establish community norms and ground rules to ensure open and honest communication and responsible student conduct
• Be sensitive to the needs of all groups in the residence hall, and help residents to be aware of each other’s concerns
• Plan programs exploring various cultural background, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, race, class, gender, and other diversity issues in an attempt to increase community awareness
• Mediate conflict and help residents to take responsibility for their residence community
• Plan programs that support the academic success, social development, and personal growth of students

Advise and Assist

Residents seek advice from their RAs, and specific RA responsibilities include being able to:

• Develop positive cooperative relationships with students
• Be an active and effective listener
• Identify potentially negative student behaviors and help each individual attain academic and personal success
• Communicate support without assuming responsibility for the problem or for the solution
• Identify situations that require immediate attention and work with your supervisor and others to resolve them
• Know campus offices resources and refer students as appropriate
• Maintain confidentiality of private conversations and staff discussions

An RA is required to immediately report to his/her supervisor (Res Life On Call during afterhours) any threatening, dangerous, or life-threatening student behaviors.

Administrative Tasks

As members of the Residence Life staff, RAs are expected to complete the following administrative tasks in a timely and efficient manner:

• Participate fully in the opening and closing of the residence halls
• Check mail and email daily
• Distribute and/or post materials about in-hall and campus events in a timely manner
• Complete six hours of desk duty per week
• Be available in the hall daily, and working scheduled duty nights as determined by the hall supervisor and the Office of Residence Life
• Assume responsibility for hall security, including the use of master keys
• Complete all weekly staff reports, programming reports, room reports, rove logs, and other paperwork in a timely manner

Staff Development

RAs help create and maintain staff relationships based on mutual trust and respect. This requires RAs to:

• Attend and contribute at all staff meetings
• Work cooperatively with the staff on team projects and shared tasks
• Offer and accept constructive feedback
• Act as a liaison between the Residence Life staff and the residents
• Participate in staff evaluations held with supervisor(s)
• Maintain an open-minded attitude
• Support the Residence Life program, staff, and supervisors

Personal Conduct

RAs are compensated student staff members and are expected to be professional at all times. RAs live and work within their communities.  As such, RAs are expected to always respond to needs of the community and to serve as a role model at all times.  RAs are expected to:

• Know, abide by and enforce WSC policies
• Be responsible and professional community leaders
• Exercise common sense and good judgment in interactions or relationships with residents and the rest of the campus community
• Know and abide by Residence Life expectations for personal conduct