Lakeland College

What is a Resident Assistant?

Definition of RA

The RA is a student who has been hired by the Residence Life Department due to their demonstrated leadership qualities and abilities. An RA's main responsibility is to assist in building a community within the residence hall that exhibits openness, justness, discipline, and caring attributes. This is accomplished through personal contact with residents and through programs that help meet the social, educational, and cultural needs of the resident students. It is also the role of the RA to help students feel comfortable in their "home away from home" called Lakeland College.

The RA should be a resource to students as well as a role model for the college community. The RA wears a variety of hats -- a mediator, peer counselor, a programmer, disciplinarian, a leader, and a friend, (to name a few) while always respecting the importance of confidentiality.

Anyone interested in pursuing an RA position should speak to a Residence Hall Director and the Director of Residence Life, Jim Bajczyk

RA Job Description

Position Title: Resident Assistant (RA)
Department: Residence Life>
Definition: The primary responsibility of the RA is to provide active support and assistance in residence facility operations. This is accomplished through service to the Residence Hall Director by assisting in maintaining standards and policies that uphold order in living units that facilitate academic and personal growth, while supporting the mission of Lakeland College.

Qualifications:

• Maintain at least a 2.25 GPA. If at anytime the GPA falls below a 2.25, a meeting will be called with the Hall Director and/or the Director of Residence Life and a decision will be made if the RA should continue their employment. The decision will be in the best academic interest of the RA
• Good study habits, time-management habits, and listening skills
• Strong organization, planning, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to communicate with peers and maintain professional relationships at all organizational levels
• Possess moral responsibility and respect confidentiality
• Fortitude to be assertive with peers
• Psychological tolerance for ambiguity and criticism
• Ability to understand developmental behavior of the college student
• Outgoing, creative, dedicated, dependable, people-oriented person with a willingness to be available
• Willingness to work and live within the framework and policies of the Residential Life program at Lakeland College

Functions:

1. Responsible for maintaining good order in residence facilities
   • Assist with check-in/check-out procedures
   • Carry out duty assignments and attend/participate in staff meetings
   • Hold floor/unit meetings to openly discuss issues and concerns of the community
   • Respond to emergency situations
   • Assist in the evacuation of handicapped individuals in emergency situations
   • Implement administrative procedures in a timely, accurate, and through manner (Room Condition Forms, Incident Reports, Maintenance Requests, etc.)
   • Serve as a role model on and off campus in observing federal and state laws and college policies
   • Show consistent interpretation and enforcement of regulations and policies
2. Responsible for maintaining a positive living environment
   • Foster an atmosphere/environment that is conducive to study
   • Foster relationships based on trust and mutual respect while maintaining confidentiality
   • Encourage and support positive group activities within your living unit and between other units
   • Create door decorations and bulletin boards on a monthly basis
   • Promote and provide a well-balanced offering of programs designed to enhance growth and development of our students
3. Promote academic, personal, social, and spiritual growth of students
   • Develop and maintain good rapport with each student in your area as well as others in your building
   • Act as a resource person, mediator, and peer counselor while respecting confidentiality
   • Serve as a role model to students through good study habits, having concern and regard for others' welfare, displaying ethical behavior, having positive social interactions, and self-respect and regard for a healthy lifestyle (Live within the rules and expectations expected of Lakeland College students)
   • Be available and responsive to students' concerns, questions, and anxieties
   • Assist students in their development by encouraging individual and group discussion on moral and ethical values/issues
   • Assist students utilizing college and community resources, particularly when advisement and/or counseling seems necessary
   • Keep your Hall Director informed of activities, problems, concerns, and attitudes of your community
4. Pursue personal and professional growth
   • Attend fall and mid-year training, and other in-service training sessions throughout the academic year
   • Be available for closing of housing facilities for breaks and end of semesters
   • Develop a plan to set and accomplish goals
   • Maintain supportive and professional relationships
   • Be a "team" player
   • Learn campus and community resources
   • Be consistent in residence life procedures/policy enforcement
   • Maintain open communication at all staff levels while observing confidentiality
   • Assume other responsibilities as designated by the Hall Director and/or Director of Residence Life in order to promote an environment conducive to student development
5. Unusual Working Conditions:
   • The need to juggle staff status, student status, and a private/personal life
   • The need to accept special staffing duties, which may occur during certain times of the year (i.e.: kitchen help in inclement weather, maintenance, etc.)
   • R.A.'s are entitled to take off two weekends per month, providing sufficient coverage is available
   • Any part-time employment will need to be approved of and monitored by your immediate supervisor

Supervision Exercised: Over Resident Students
Accountability: To the Residence Hall Directors and the Director of Residence Life
Authority: As delegated by the Residence Hall Directors and circumscribed by the position of Resident Assistant

RA Application Process and Timeline

2009-2010 APA Application (PDF 9KB)
2009-2010 APA Timeline (PDF 7KB)
2009-2010 RA Application (PDF 9KB)
2009-2010 RA Timeline (PDF 7KB)

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