What is the Role of the RA?

What is the Role of the RA?

The Resident Assistant (RA) is responsible for creating and maintaining a positive living environment for the residents of his/her hall and the overall residential community.  The RA’s primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, establishing close relationships with residents and staff; planning and implementing educational programs; hall/campus duty coverage; assisting with housing functions; abiding by and reporting violations of policies and procedures; and maintaining an environment which fosters respect, dignity, and collegiality among residents in unison with the ethics and values of the University's Mission Statement.  The RA reports directly to the Hall Director and indirectly to the Director of Residence Life.

Responsibilities

·            Provide leadership both academically and socially to fellow staff members and the student body.

·            Act in a manner consistent with one's role as a Resident Assistant and an official representative of Walsh University.  Act in a manner consistent with the Mission of Walsh University, Department of Residence Life, and the Division of Student Affairs.

·            Assist the Hall Director in the functioning of the residential area including check in, check out, housing placement, maintenance/housekeeping requests, and other administrative duties.

·            Participate in duty coverage as assigned and perform all related responsibilities as outlined by his/her supervisor.

·            Plan, implement, and evaluate developmental programs each semester per current programmatic guidelines.

·            Initiate floor meetings on a regular basis to determine students' developmental needs, disseminate information, and maintain/promote a community that fosters respect, dignity, and collegiality among residents.

·            Use appropriate helping and listening skills in interactions with fellow staff members and students.  Make appropriate referrals (upon consultation with Hall Director).

·            Utilize crisis intervention skills via the use of University resources/staff (i.e., Campus Police, Hall Director, Assistant Director of Residence Life, Director of Residence Life, Counseling Services, etc.). 

·            Be knowledgeable of and abide by University policies and procedures.  Report alleged violations of University policies and procedures to the Hall Director.

·            Communicate regularly with the Hall Director.

·            Be familiar with offices and services available on campus and communicate such information, where applicable.

·            Assist in collecting data for informational and research purposes.

·            Participate in all staff developmental and training programs as prescribed by your Hall Director and the Director of Residence Life.

·            Recognize the extensive commitment in time and flexibility of this position.  As such, no off campus time commitment in excess of 15 hours per week (including academics) shall be permitted. Extracurricular activities should be discusses and appropriately negotiated with your supervisor via the Time Commitment Sheet. An academic schedule in excess of 17 credit hours must be approved by the Director of Residence Life.

·            Abide by the terms listed in this position description, the "Resident Assistant Contract," and "Resident Assistant Time Commitment Sheet, and “Resident Assistant Code of Ethics.”