Resident Assistant
Frequently Asked Questions What are you looking for in a Resident Assistant? In general, we look for candidates who exhibit strong leadership abilities or potential, have good communication skills, are dependable and responsible, think creatively, are good team players, and are enthusiastic about being a RA! We have a diverse staff of RAs. Every RA has a different style, background, and perspective that each contributes uniquely to our team. The best thing you can do throughout the selection process is to be yourself! How does the application process work? All applicants must submit a completed application, cover letter, resume, Spring semester schedule and two references by Thursday, February 5th 2015. Applicants will then progress to the interview process with the Residence Life staff before Resident Assistants are selected. Why should I apply to be a Resident Assistant? Being a Resident Assistant teaches you many skills that will help you with your career, including communication, problem solving, and interpersonal skills. It also gives you the opportunity to remain connected with the campus community throughout your time at Becker. What is the deadline for applications? The deadline for applications is Thursday, February 5th, by 5pm. All materials must be turned into the Student Affairs office on either the Leicester or Worcester campus. During this time, you will also sign up for your RA interview. This is my first semester at Becker; can I still apply for an RA position? Unfortunately, you will not be able to apply. You must first have been here for at least one semester prior to applying for the RA position. You need at least a semester to get acclimated to the Becker community before taking on this position. Academics are your first priority in being here at the college so you can establish yourself and succeed. Can I apply for the RA position if I am an international student? Yes, you can apply for the RA position if you are an international student, however, there are certain parameters based on their status that they need to be aware of. For more information, you can follow up with Kelsey Briggs at
[email protected]. Can I apply if I was documented for violating a college policy? This will depend on whether you are currently under any judicial sanctions. Students who have been or are currently on probation status, or have been dismissed from a residence hall, are not eligible to apply. Students who have had a minor residence hall infraction and have successfully completed all resulting sanctions may apply. Such an infraction may be considered in the selection process but will not disqualify a candidate. Who can be a reference for me? If you live on campus in the residence halls, then one of your references must come from a current Resident Assistant. If you live off campus as a commuter student you do not need an RA reference. Other references include college professors, teachers, employers, advisors, former supervisors, coaches, religious leaders; anyone who can speak to your ability to work with people as a team player. Your parents or other relatives CANNOT be used as references. I want to live on campus next fall semester but I am not sure if I want to a RA yet? The RA selection process is completed by the end of March. We want to have RA staff in place before starting the housing selection process. The housing selection process happens in April.
How do I set up a date & time for my interview? You will sign up for an interview when you submit your application materials. You will sign up for an interview on the campus where you turn in your application. A selection of dates and times will be provided for you to choose from. A staff member will assist you with signing up for an individual interview. Interviews will take place from February 10th through February 18th. What should I wear to the interviews? Your interview is an opportunity to show your potential employer who you are as a candidate. Wear something that will allow you to be comfortable and give you confidence as you demonstrate your skills to the interviewers. Business attire is recommended. When will I know whether or not I get the RA position?
Notification letters will be made available via your Becker email account after 2:00PM on Thursday, March 5th. Your letter will indicate whether you have been offered a Resident Assistant position, selected as an alternate, or not offered a position at this time.
It is mandatory for those who are offered a position or an alternate status to submit a written response via e-‐mail stating whether you accept or decline the offer by 5:00PM on Wednesday, March 25th, 2015, to Kelsey Briggs (
[email protected]). Can I choose the building I want to be a Resident Assistant in? When you complete the application process, you are applying for the position, not for a specific residence hall. Hall placement is determined by the Residence Life staff and is based on the needs of the building, as well as the applicant’s skill set. We keep your preferences in mind when placing staff members in particular halls. What is a Living Learning Community (LLC)? The Living Learning Communities are halls/floors where the students living together have a common interest. There is an Interactive Entertainment Design LLC in Worcester for upper-‐class students and a Service Learning LLC in Leicester for incoming students. While being the RA for the LLC does not require extra programming requirements, it is a unique community. There will be also be a Living Learning Community Mentor, an upper-‐class student, who will help develop the community and plan programs with you. What if I am offered an alternate position? Often, we have too many qualified applicants and not enough available positions. Alternate status means that we value your talent/skills/potential, but are unable to offer you a placement at this time. However, if a vacancy does arise on staff, alternates are the first ones to be considered for filling the vacant positions. Most years the RA’s are hired from the alternate list. No candidate is guaranteed a position. A person is dropped from the alternate list if: • G.P.A falls below the 2.5 requirement • Candidate turns down alternate status • Other circumstances at the discretion of the Office of Residence Life. Whom do I talk to if I have any questions? Any current member of the Residence Life staff (RAs, Area Coordinators, Associate Director, or Director) should be able to answer any questions you have. You are also welcome to email Kelsey Briggs, the Area Coordinator, at
[email protected] with any questions! What is the Resident Assistant Seminar I have to take? This series of seminars have been developed to allow new RAs to learn more about themselves in the areas of community, citizenship, and leadership and then integrate this new knowledge into
their role as a Resident Assistant. We cover a range of topics within the seminar as well as assignments that will be given to the RAs to complete. When is Resident Assistant Training? The Office of Residence Life and Housing wants you to be as prepared as possible for your RA position. Mandatory training programs are held in late August/early September, January and April. In late July or early August your supervisor will contact you to discuss your arrival plans. Training will run continuously until the residence halls officially open. There will be evening and weekend training sessions and social activities planned. You are required to actively participate in all of the training and social activities. Plan your summer and work schedule accordingly. Training is an intensive time. While the daily schedule could be long, it does involve interactive sessions and social activities. If I have a conflict, can I miss training or be late for it? No. Attending Resident Assistant training in its entirety is required to hold the position. However, if special situations arise, the Director of Residence Life will determine if an exemption request will be approved. Training lasts over several days and covers a breadth of information ranging from programming and confrontation, to community building and diversity. The time invested is critical to prepare Resident Assistants to serve as resources for their residents. Do RAs receive any additional training? Throughout the year, RAs are required to attend on-‐going training sessions on issues relevant to Residence Life and Student Affairs. You can make the most of training by coming with an open mind and an eagerness to learn. How will the Resident Assistant job affect my Financial Aid? Financial Aid benefits are determined on a case-‐by-‐case basis, so the best way to have your questions answered is to talk directly to the Financial Aid Office. Who are the people I will be working with? Fellow RAs are your primary support system. You will develop a strong sense of team with your fellow staff members. The relationships you build on staff will probably be among the most important outcomes of your college experience. RAs from other building staffs can also be valuable friends and resources for you. The Area Coordinators and Resident Directors are your direct supervisors. They are responsible for the daily administration of the residence halls. Do the Resident Assistants get paid? As remuneration, RAs receive a Residence Life Grant which covers the cost of their room on campus. RAs have pay for their meal plan. RAs can earn a stipend each semester for fulfilling their job and program requirements (stipend amount is subject to change). Do I get my own room? RAs are provided with a single room. The RA position requires counseling and intervention on a personal and confidential level so we provide a space that allows for these types of situations. How much time will I spend a week as an RA? In a sense, you will spend seven days a week, 24 hours a day as an RA. This does not mean that you’re always actively participating as an RA, but that you are an RA wherever you go. One of the most difficult responsibilities of being an RA is role modeling. Because people look to you for guidance, you have to be careful about the things you choose to do and say. This doesn’t mean you can’t be yourself. As far as other RA duties go, the amount of time per week that you spend working really depends on your commitment to your job. On average, you should spend about 15 hours per
week. It is up to you to make the most of your time to balance your studies, RA position, friends, and other activities. Am I allowed to leave the halls at night or on weekends when I am not on duty? We want RAs to develop friendships and interests outside of the RA position. Learning to balance availability to residents and personal interests is one of the challenges of the RA positions. RAs are required to live in their assigned halls and be a visible presence in the hall community. You are allowed to leave the halls at night or on the weekends if you are not on duty, but we encourage you to also designate time for you to build relationships with your residents. What types of issues will I encounter when helping students? There are a variety of student concerns that you might encounter: relationship problems, homesickness, issues of personal identity, depression, and alcohol/drug abuse. You must remember that you are not a counselor and no one expects you to solve everything. You should be there to listen and guide your residents to a constructive path for solving their problems. Most importantly, you are a resource for students! Why do I have to maintain a 2.5 minimum G.P.A? Your first priority is that of student. That is why you are here. A minimum G.P.A. requirement has been established to ensure that you succeed as a student. You are required to maintain the 2.5 minimum during your tenure as an RA. Falling below the minimum G.P.A. will result in probation status or possible dismissal as an RA. If you are experiencing academic difficulty, please seek help immediately and go to the CLC for tutoring. What college policies do I have to follow? As a leader and a role model in the residential areas and the college community, every RA must abide by all College policies. It is especially important for RAs to abide by the alcohol, noise, and guest policies, as they are usually the policies most often confronted. It is very difficult to be a credible leader if you don’t practice what you preach! If you are in violation of the student code of conduct, you will be treated as any other student under those situations. In addition, your status as an RA will be evaluated and your position may be terminated. Please keep in mind, you must be aware that you are no longer “any other student.” Your choices and actions now influence others in a way that you may not realize. Therefore, RAs who are over 21 must follow the following rules for alcohol consumption: • Intoxication is never acceptable because you may be called upon for assistance even if you are not on duty. • It is inappropriate for you to buy alcohol for your residents, even if they are over 21. • It is inappropriate to drink with your residents. • You should never consume alcohol while you are completing your RA responsibilities (duty, programs, in-‐services, etc.) • Because RAs are role models for their residents, some RAs choose not to drink where their residents may see them even though their behavior is legal. Remember: Being an RA is like living in a fishbowl – your actions are magnified and could easily become distorted. I have never had to intervene in a crisis situation or handle medical emergencies. Will I receive training in these areas? During RA training, and throughout the year, you will receive training in crisis intervention and emergency protocol. As a staff member, you have the full support of the on-‐call professional staff member, Assistant Director, Director, Campus Police, Health Services and Counseling Services to assist in these situations as they arise. Why am I required to document other students?
As an RA you are responsible for confronting and documenting violations of college policy. While it is not your job to hunt out violations, it is inappropriate to ignore them. Your goal is to stop the behavior and redirect students to something constructive and appropriate. In documenting the situation, you merely write the facts as you observe them. The RA is not responsible for passing judgment on other students. The Office of Residence Life will determine a student’s responsibility for the violation. During training you will become familiar with the college's student conduct process, learn how to complete Incident Report, confront student behavior, and practice your skills through role-‐plays.
