Apartment Living Advisor
Apartment Living Advisor Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are ALA position requirements?
2. What is the ALA work schedule?
3. How many ALA positions are there?
4. What is the building coverage in North Apartments?
5. Are Community Development initiatives different from those of RAs?
6. How does financial aid factor into this position?
7. Is the ALA position part of a union?
8. Can I apply for both RA and ALA positions?
9. As an RA, do I have priority in applying for an ALA position?

1. What are ALA position requirements?
A 2.4 cumulative GPA is required at time of application and at commencement of duties. Thereafter, a 2.2 cumulative GPA is required to continue employment. Applicants must be free of (and stay free of) current Code of Student Conduct sanctions, and have lived in a residence hall for at least one full semester.

2. What is the ALA work schedule?
Applicants must be available to work during the entire nine-month period, including all University breaks and holidays until the day after Spring Commencement. On call responsibility is through the entire nine-month period. Staff who are hired and accept ALA positions must be available to work all University holidays and break periods, however staff scheduling of specific holidays/breaks will happen within the apartment teams.

3. How many ALA positions are there?
There are 19 ALAs. 2-3 students will be interviewed per ALA opening. The ALA position is a student employment position within Residence Life.

4. What is the building coverage in North Apartments?
There are 4-5 ALAs per apartment building, spread throughout the floors. There are approximately 50 residents to each ALA. ALAs will share an apartment with three other residents but will still have their own room within an apartment, some of whom might be of legal drinking age (21+).

5. Are Community Development initiatives different from those of RAs?
ALAs work on apartment-wide community development initiatives. For example, ALAs will mediate apartment conflicts rather, possibly within their own apartment, rather than roommate conflicts as is the case with the RA job. ALAs have greater responsibilities dealing with Housing Assignments and Housing Operations than those of the typical RA role. ALAs are responsible for policy enforcement of the Code of Student Conduct.

6. How does financial aid factor into this position?
If you receive financial aid, the ALA compensation package will be factored into your aid package. As the ALA job is considered a primary job, work-study monies will be absorbed into the ALA position. ALAs will receive a fee waiver for the residence hall fees as part of the compensation package. Please visit the Financial Aid office in Whitmore with specific questions.

7. Is the ALA position part of a union?
ALAs are part of the RA Union, UAW 2232 Local.

8. Can I apply for both RA and ALA positions
Those interested in applying for either an RA or ALA position should apply to both. If selected for an interview, you will still interview for both positions, however the ALA selection process concludes prior to the RA selection process. If offered an ALA position, you will have the opportunity to either accept or reject the position, however rejecting the ALA position does not guarantee an RA position.

9. As an RA, do I have priority in applying for an ALA position?
RAs do not receive priority in the ALA selection process. However, most RA experiences provide transferable skills that would assist them in the ALA application and interview process. The ALA selection process will conclude prior to the RA transfer placement. Staff who are hired and accept ALA positions will be removed from the transfer placement process. Current RAs who are hired as ALAs will be considered returning staff when it comes to ALA compensation.