Residence -Resident Assistant

Resident Assistant

Resident Assistants (RAs) are paraprofessional staff members for the Department of Residence Life. An RA is the closest and the most vital link with the residents of the community, serving as a liaison between the Department of Residence Life and the students. The RA serves under the supervision of the Residence Life Coordinator (RLC) of their assigned community. This position is one that requires organization, flexibility, adaptability, enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment.

The basic tasks of the RA position involve community building, serving as a resource for the residents, working on a team, working the front desk, and serving on call. Additional responsibilities are provided in the RA conditions of employment, RA training manual, and expectations set by your individual supervisors.

Developing relationships with residents:
Establish significant relationships with individual community members. Exhibit genuine concern and interest for residents by being available, approachable, and accessible. Interact with residents both individually and in groups. Follow up with residents concerning academic and personal success, as well as issues related to community life. Record established connections with residents through Intentional Interactions submitted biweekly to the RLC of the community.

Providing leadership for the development of a positive community:
To ensure successful work performance and support, RAs must be visible within in their assigned community. Educate residents on the need for civility within a community. Demonstrate respect for those from different backgrounds and cultures through programming, community building, and intentional interactions.

Creating a culture of academic success: RAs will assist with programming for the Residence Life academic initiative. Create and maintain an environment conducive to academic success.

Serving as a resource and referral agent for Columbus State University:
Be aware of current student, community and campus issues. Act as an initial source of support for students who are experiencing personal or academic concerns; initiate conversations with students who demonstrate concerns; be knowledgeable of campus resources. Facilitate the Roommate Agreement process, mediate roommate conflicts and/or refer students to the RLC. Maintain communication with Residence Life staff and respect confidentiality concerning the content of such discussions.

RAs are expected to report and/or respond to any incidents, situations, or concerns which they observe or are reported to them.

Acting as a staff member of the Residence Life team:
Attend all scheduled training programs prior to and throughout each academic semester
¿ training dates will be given at the time of hiring. Participate in regular staff meetings, in-service training, and one-on-ones. Administrative responsibilities include, but are not limited to roster checks, fire drills, bulletin boards, and door / hall decorations. Serving on call and working community front desk: RAs will periodically serve as secondary on call person within their community and will assist with situations when needed.

Additionally, RAs will work at their community front desk for 6 hours per week (including during holidays and break periods
¿ Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Breaks) and perform duties including but not limited to lock outs, answering the phone, student check-in / check-outs, room changes, etc. These 6 hours are not paid, with the exception of Winter Break, but are part of their compensation package for housing. Any additional hours that the RA may sign up for outside of these 6 hours, will be paid at $8.00 per hour.

Additional hours are not guaranteed but may be available based on community needs.

Must be enrolled as a student at Columbus State University; maintain a cumulative and semester GPA of at least 2.5; maintain good financial and judicial standing within the University; RAs are required to live on campus (all room assignments will be the decision of the RLC for each area); role model a standard of personal conduct commensurate with Residence Life standards.

RAs may be allowed to hold…