Resident Assistant
Resident Assistant Selection Process

Resident Assistant's Roles and Responsibilities

Why Be An RA?

Being an RA at Umass Amherst is more then just having another student job.
As an RA you are also a...

Community Developer: Assist and encourage floor members to develop a livable, inclusive, and responsible community through discussions of floor living guidelines, integration of new students, study breaks, quiet hours, floor activities, etc.

Administrator: As part of an administrative staff, an RA is responsible for staffing the Cluster Office while on duty on designated evenings. Duty nights rotate according to the staff size and the needs of the specific cluster. RAs are also responsible for signing out back-up keys and equipment such as brooms and game equipment. Working with and filing various paperwork are also a part of the RA job. Another important part of the RA's administrative role is communicating with the Resident Director and the Assistant Resident Director through the use of various forms and communication channels.

Programmer: Offering educational and social opportunities for residents is an important piece of the RA's job. Programming requirements may vary from cluster to cluster however the departmental expectation is for each RA to offer one educational and one social program for his or her residents each month. By using campus resources and with the help of the Senior Staff members and the Residence Life Resource Center, RAs offer exceptional programs that enlighten and entertain thousands of residents each year.

Peer Counselor: As a leader in the residence hall community, many residents will come to you for advice and assistance for their simple and complex problems. As an RA, it is likely that you may experience issues such as roommate conflicts or eating disorders. It is important for all RAs to understand how to handle every situation. During RA Training, you will be given the tools you will need to provide students with the best possible answers to their questions. You will also be made aware of the proper protocol for serious and emergency situations.

Resource Person: Otherwise known as a walking information desk, an RA will be sought out by residents to answer questions, from the basic, "Where's the library?" to the more complicated, "How do I set up my Internet account and can you help me?" You will be made aware of all the resources we have here on campus through training. You will also be encouraged to say "I don't know the answer to that!" and to refer the resident to someone who may.

Policy Enforcer: As a university official, Resident Assistants are responsible for abiding by and enforcing Housing policies. Each policy was created with the purpose of creating a safe and non-threatening place for all members of the residence hall community. With the new alcohol sanctions that were instituted at the beginning of this year, the violators of the alcohol policies will be facing much more severe repercussions for their actions. Hopefully these sanctions will help educate students about the dangers of alcohol abuse, deter underage consumption, and make the residence halls safer places for everyone.

Staff Team Member: RA Staffs vary in size depending on the size of the cluster. Each staff is supervised by a Residence Director and one or two Assistant Residence Directors. The staffs meet once a week to discuss the issues of the cluster and to plan events. Meeting times are also used as a time to socialize with your Staff Team. As part of a team, each RA is expected to support and assist their fellow staff members.

Academic Requirements

Resident Assistants must be University undergraduate students enrolled in degree granting programs. Resident Assistants must be free of current judicial sanctions. Prince residence hall has been specifically designated to include graduate housing; therefore, graduate students may be hired as Resident Assistants in that residence hall. A 2.4 cumulative GPA is required at the time of hire and commencement of duties. Returning RAs must maintain a 2.2 cumulative GPA to continue in the position. RAs whose cumulative GPA does not meet departmental requirements will have their contract terminated. The department of Residence Life will review all RA cumulative grade point averages every semester.

Application

The RA selection process will be conducted during the spring semester. Applying for the Resident Assistant position requires you to fill out an application, which you can download here during the spring selection process. Students applying for the position are strongly encouraged to attend one of the information sessions. At these informational sessions you will learn more about the Resident Assistant position, and be able to ask any questions you may have. Applications will also be available at the sessions. Once completed, the application should be returned to the Residence Life Resource Center (RLRC), located in 109 Moore Hall.

While we accept applications at any time, it is unlikely that an application will be reviewed outside of the regularly scheduled process. Applicants are advised to wait to submit their applications until the spring selection process.

Application Evaluation

Once an application is submitted, Residence Life Staff will review it. After review, letters are then written to each applicant informing them of whether or not they have been granted an interview. Letters can be picked up at the Residence Life Resource Center (RLRC), located in 109 Moore Hall.

Interview

The interview process takes up a Saturday, and involves two different interviews: a group interview, and an individual interview. Each applicant must attend one of each of these interviews. Interview dates are set, and applicants are required to be there. Alternate dates are available for extreme circumstances.

Group Interview

The group interview will consist of a group of applicants together who will be given questions, tasks, or activities to do. Residence Life Staff will view the applicants throughout the interview.

The Individual Interview

The individual interview consists of the applicant being interviewed by a panel of Residence Life Staff. Residence Life Staff will ask a variety of questions about the position, and the applicant will have time to answer the questions.

Hiring and Acceptance to Position

After the interviews, candidates will be notified as to whether or not they have been hired. Applicants then have the opportunity to accept or deny the position by a given date.

Candidate placement notification letters

Candidate placement notification letters can be picked up on Monday, November 24, 2008 at the Residence Life Resource Center (RLRC), 109 Moore Hall.

Orientation Dates

Each new RA is required to attend the new RA Orientation, which will be held on Dec. 8, 2008 7:00 - 9:00pm.

Training Dates

New Resident Assistants, Apartment Living Advisors and all Cluster Office Managers and Peer Mentors return for training on Monday, August 18, 2008. Returning RAs and ALAs come back for training on Friday, August 22, 2008. All staff check into their cluster office between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m.