Becoming a Resident Assistant

A Resident Assistant deals with community development, team development and administrative responsibilities such as developing relationships with residents, participating in staff meetings and reporting facility concerns. RA info sessions begin in November. During these sessions, students learn about the role of an RA and share why they are interested in the position. Students also receive a paper covering everything that was discussed during the session.

The next step is to turn in all application material by the end of January. The application includes responding to short answer and essay questions, having references and attaching a resume. The next step in the process is to attend the

A few weeks after Group Process, applicants have their individual interviews. Next, applicants attend RAMP class. During RAMP class, which is taught by the Director of Residence Life, Sherri Sadowski, applicants learn the concepts, roles and responsibilities of being an RA. Some topics covered during class are Programming, Inclusion and Diversity, Mental Health Issues and Time management .

After class, applicants receive reading assignments which are packets of information that are read before the next class. During the next class, applicants talk about the reading, sharing what they thought was interesting and what they liked or disliked about them. Applicants also have writing assignments called Reflection Journals where they answer a question relating to the topic they discussed during that class.

When all classes are completed, applicants turn in a portfolio which consists of the applicant’s community theme ideas, hall design and welcoming plan, bulletin board, program plans and RA interview assignments. In the beginning of April, the first RA offers are sent out. The applicants will then decide if they want to take the position. Once the new RAs are picked, spring training will begin in late April followed by fall training in August.