Resident Advisors serve as role models and help residents plan and facilitate activities and programs on a floor within a residence hall at Tulane University. Resident Advisors are undergraduate students and members of the Housing and Residence Life staff. They report to and are directly supervised by Senior Resident Advisors, Student Affairs Associates, and/or Area Directors. Resident Advisors frequently interact with residents; therefore, they have an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the development and education of these students. They also play a major role in the implementation of the resident-driven programming model and the residential college model. It is expected that the Resident Advisor maintains a high level of involvement in support of the Housing and Residence Life resident-driven programming model and acts as an excellent social and academic role model for the residents on the floor.
A. Leadership as evident by previous leadership experiences, references, and skills and leadership potential as perceived by the evaluators in the selection process.
B. High level of maturity exhibited in sound judgment, emotional stability, flexibility, and willingness to accept responsibility.
C. Strong interpersonal skills through proven ability to interact effectively with others and as perceived throughout the interview process.
D. Good conduct standing with the University.
E. Current, full-time undergraduate or graduate student with overall minimum 2.50 GPA (for undergrad students) at the time of employment and throughout the period of employment. Graduate students must maintain good academic standing with their college.
F. At least one semester of residence hall living (at any University).
A. STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS: Resident Advisors strive to help each resident develop fully as a person, a student, and an active member of the University through their multiple roles as advisor, friend, administrator, and disciplinarian. Resident Advisors demonstrate respect for the health, safety, welfare, and rights of everyone living in the residence halls.
a. Learn the name of each student assigned to their floor;
b. Learn something about each resident’s personal background, special interests, and academic goals;
c. Help students with personal, vocational, social, academic, and general concerns;
d. Associate with all residents of the floor and assess the needs of small groups which might otherwise be underrepresented;
e. Set a good example by exhibiting good academic and study habits and proper personal conduct; and
f. Maintain the confidentiality of information when ethical and appropriate to do so.
B. TIME COMMITMENT: The Resident Advisor position is considered to be the RAs principal non-academic activity. Extracurricular activities or additional employment should not conflict with time needed to perform effectively as an RA through the entire year. Any additional employment or time-intensive extracurricular activities must be approved by your supervisor. Employment that would call into question the ability of the RA to serve as a role model for other students will not be approved. The RA is expected to:
a. Be available and visible to students on the floor four (4) nights per week (including either a Friday or Saturday night);
b. Be on duty on a rotational basis (approximately once a week);
c. Work four (4) hours per week at the area desk;
d. Meet on a weekly basis with their staff team;
e. Meet once every other week individually with their Area Director, Student Affairs Associate or Senior Resident Advisor; and
f. Complete all required training sessions presented by the department.
C. ADVISING AND COUNSELING: The Resident Advisor should be aware of students in need of personal help and provide appropriate consultation and referral. While the RA is expected to maintain the confidentiality of information from other residents and uninvolved parties, the RA should recognize that important information will sometimes need to be shared with the appropriate professionals in order to assist the resident. When faced with such concerns, the RA is expected to:
a. Demonstrate an ability to listen to others and to reflect attitudes of caring and support;
b. Discuss all situations of a referral nature with the Area Director and/or the appropriate central staff member;
c. Demonstrate knowledge of referral options within the University (e.g. Student Health Center, Educational Resources and Counseling, Career Services, Academic Departments) and be able to explain these options to residents seeking help/whenever appropriate, the RA should utilize the professional staff as a referral option;
d. Be prepared to advise residents and to refer them to the appropriate office when necessary; and
e. Recognize the limits of his/her training and experience as a counselor.
D. PROGRAMMING: The Resident Advisor is expected to promote an atmosphere for individual and group development by initiating, advising, and implementing programs in the residence hall. In providing a learning atmosphere, the RA is expected to:
a. Encourage student interactions with faculty, administrators, and other members of the University community by initiating programs involving these groups;
b. Encourage residents to participate in and contribute to hall programs;
c. Determine the types of programs that the residents need;
d. Actively promote the components of the program model by assisting in, initiating, advising, and implementing programs; and
e. Meet all programming requirements established by the department.
E. UNIVERSITY POLICIES: The Resident Advisor is expected to support and enforce University policies and regulations. The RA serves as a role model for others. The RA must assume responsibility for creating an environment in which optimum personal and social growth may occur. The RA is expected to:
a. Encourage by example the principles of individual responsibility and respect for others;
b. Explain, support, and follow the regulations and policies outlined in the Residence Hall Contract and the Code of Student Conduct;
c. Meet the employment and behavioral expectations established in this position description, the Student Staff Accountability Form, and any additional performance and behavioral expectations provided by the department;
d. Respond in a positive and helpful manner when confronted with behavior or infractions, which disrupt the environment and discuss all violations and infractions with the AD;
e. Report any potential violations of University policy.
F. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS: Fire, blackouts, hurricanes, student disturbances, and individual crisis demanding medical attention, hospitalizations or the need for public safety are examples of emergencies that confront the Resident Advisor. In order to respond rationally and appropriately in an emergency, the RA is expected to:
a. Be familiar with instructions provided in the RA manual;
b. Periodically assist in conducting a scheduled fire drill;
c. Report all individual and/or hall emergencies to the Student Affairs Professional On Call and to the AD/SAA; and
d. Assist Housing and Residence Life staff, as directed, in implementing emergency procedures.
G. MANAGEMENT: The Resident Advisor assists in the management functions of the hall, and is expected to report damages or repair needs to the Facilities Services Housing Maintenance Department.
a. Address all facility concerns seen while on duty and while walking throughout the residential area.
b. Educate residents on proper use of Service wave for reporting facility concerns.
c. Follow up with facility issues by alerting the AD or SAA know of all unresolved issues.
H. ADMINISTRATIVE: The resident Advisor is expected to complete the following duties for greater efficiency and communication:
a. Evaluate programs, personal performance, policies, staff relations, etc.;
b. Assist in room assignment and occupancy reports;
c. Communicate the procedures and policies of the Department of Housing and Residence Life to residents;
d. Document and report all alleged violations of the Code of Student Conduct and/or Community Living Standards;
e. Assist with the staff selection process;
f. Assist with check-in and check-out procedures for residents; and
g. Perform other duties as assigned.
A. PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT: The period of employment extends approximately nine months beginning with a workshop prior to Fall opening and ending on or around Spring commencement. All Resident Advisors are required to assist in the opening and closing of the halls for each academic term and for vacation periods. This requires returning to campus approximately seven to twelve days before students return for Fall semester and remaining after the residents leave for vacation. RAs will be expected to provide staff supervision when the halls remain open for Thanksgiving, Spring break, and semester breaks. RAs assigned to Aron must share duty responsibilities during the Holiday break. RAs are also expected to remain in town and rotate duty responsibilities during Mardi Gras week.
B. WORK/COURSE LOADS: It is fully understood that student life work in residence halls is not easily translated into hours worked per day or week because of the nature of the work. An RA can expect to be on duty on a regular basis and should be accessible to students in the halls most evenings. RAs should carry a minimum of twelve (12) hours and no more than seventeen (17) hours per semester. Any exceptions must have the written approval of the Area Director. An academic load of less than seventeen (17) hours is recommended for the first semester of employment. Student teaching or interning must be approved by the AD. No student teaching or interning will be permitted during the first semester of employment or during the Fall semester.
C. TIME OFF: Resident Advisors are permitted one weekend off (away from campus) per month. The time must be arranged for in advance with the Area Director. Restrictions will be made on special weekends. A weekend off is defined as extending from Friday noon to 10:00pm on Sunday. No more than half of the staff in any hall will be permitted to leave for any given weekend. If you choose to be gone one night of a weekend, this counts as half your weekend off.
D. REMUNERATION: A private room valued at approximately $5,500 per year is provided for each Resident Advisor with a monetary stipend. The monetary stipend for a first year advisor is a minimum of $1,100 for one academic year. Payments are made biweekly. Resident Advisors also receive a meal plan valued at approximately $500 per semester. This remuneration may affect your financial aid package. Please consult your financial aid counselor for details.
E. CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT: Employment is for one academic year (or part thereof) only. Continuation of employment depends upon successful completion of tasks, positive evaluation by the AD and SAA and exhibition of growth and continued enthusiasm for the position. Resident Advisors must complete appropriate application if they would like to be considered for re-employment.