Resident Assistant Position Description

Applications to be an RA in Spring 2024 are now available. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Read the position description carefully, then select the apply button at the bottom of the page. The application contains multiple pages. Make sure you complete all information until you get to the submit button and receive a confirmation email. You will be asked for your biographical information (name, address, major, etc.) and to submit several brief essays.

Overview of the Resident Assistant Position

Resident Assistants (RAs) are full-time enrolled students who assist the Office of Residence Life in fostering growth and engaging in academic success, effective community engagement, intrapersonal development, and cultural competency. Through the creation of community, facilitation of events, and development of relationships during intentional one-on-one conversations, resident assistants provide opportunities for students to become citizen leaders within their community. RAs will participate in ongoing professional development related to policies, procedures, philosophy, and learning outcomes established by the Office of Residence Life.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Resident Assistant position:

• Students must be full-time enrolled students on the Oxford campus.
• GPA: Undergraduate candidates must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of a 2.5. Graduate students must have a minimum grade point average of a 3.0. Full-time student status is also required.
• All candidates must have completed at least two full semesters prior to beginning their time of service.
• All candidates must be in good student conduct standing with the University. If you have questions about whether you’re in good student contact standing with the University, please contact Katie Kromer ( kromerk2@MiamiOH.edu ) .
• All RAs must complete and pass a background check facilitated by Human Resources.
• International graduate students who hold an academic year graduate assistantship are unable to apply because their visa prohibits them from earning other income.

Job Responsibilities

Listed below are both specific job duties of the Area Coordinator position as well as minimum professional standards expected of all Residence Life employees. These responsibilities encompass student and community development initiatives, both proactive and reactive, that directly influence the success of our residential students. They also detail administrative responsibilities, foundational to this success. Finally, they delineate behaviors that connote professionalism and a commitment to the values of the Office of Residence Life.

Safe and Healthy Communities

• Develop an open and honest professional relationship with each resident in their community
• Plan and execute activities that will assist residents in interacting with one another, developing new skills or knowledge, and familiarize residents with university programs, activities, and services
• Encourage residents to become active in hall, campus, and community activities
• Promote a positive working relationship among and between the residence hall team, students and Community Leadership Team with regard to activities, concerns and mutual goals
• Facilitate and assist in the development of a Community Agreement
• Inform the professional staff member of actual and potential problems that interfere with the living-learning environment
• Abide by hall and university policies as outlined in the Code of Student conduct, Residence Hall Policies, as well as state and federal laws
• Know and understand the rationale for hall policies, university policies as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct, state and federal laws to be able to communicate this information to residents and establish behavioral expectations accordingly
• Participate in duty as determined by the Office of Residence Life and the in-hall professional staff member
• Report damage and issues with facilities
• Cooperate with maintenance staff in achieving a healthy physical environment within the community
• Be aware of federal and state laws that may affect student behavior in the halls
• Report any behavior which may constitute a violation of any policy or law
• Participate in the mandatory reporting of crimes for statistical and timely warning requirements of the Jeanne Clery Campus Security Act

Persistence and retention

• Identify and assist residents with personal, social or academic concerns and make appropriate referrals to resources
• Promote, support and actively participate in faculty interaction in the residence halls
• Inform residents of deadlines and pertinent information concerning upcoming campus activities and academic matters

Diverse and Inclusive Environments

• Establish an inclusive learning environment based upon an atmosphere of mutual respect and positive engagement
• Promote acceptance, appreciation and respect for human diversity
• Facilitate educational experiences that help students understand human differences
• Attend and encourage resident participation in hall and campus activities
• Demonstrate a consistent willingness to interact with individuals from different backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, ideology, religion, and national origin
• Encourage residents to be accountable for their actions

Extension of the Learning Environment

• Expose residents to resources relevant to the students’ academic interests and goals
• Collaborate with academic partners to provide opportunities to extend academic engagement beyond the classroom
• Connect residents with one another to provide opportunities for cooperative learning
• Promote the goals and purpose of an RA’s assigned Living Learning Community
• Engage with stakeholders of assigned LLCs as needed
• Incorporate the LLC theme and goals into programming for the hall

Ease the Transition to Adulthood

• Engage residents in conversation regarding socially responsible and safe decision-making
• Support students in their personal growth by connecting them to appropriate resources
• Promote healthy living habits that will allow students to succeed and flourish during and after their time living on campus

Training and Other Duties

• Assist with the opening and closing of the hall each semester and for every break closing
• Submit reports and paperwork as required by professional staff member by necessary deadlines
• Assist university offices in various administrative tasks such as evaluations, surveys and the distribution of material to residents
• Understand and utilize emergency procedures as appropriate
• Participate in all training sessions
• Attend regular hall team meetings and one-on-one meetings with professional staff member
• Successfully complete EDL 301 course with at least a ‘C’ grade during the first semester of service. Any offer of placement as a Resident Assistant will be withdrawn if the RA does not successfully complete this course during this timeframe
• Attend, support and participate in Welcome Weekend events
• For Resident Assistants with second year or upper class residents, assist with First Year Move-In
• Assist in recruitment and selection of full time professional staff members, graduate students and Resident Assistants
• Other duties as assigned by the Office of Residence Life

Policies and Requirements

Academic Good Standing

Resident Assistants must maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA at all times. If one’s cumulative GPA falls below a 2.5 prior to beginning their period of service, this offer is automatically rescinded. If one’s cumulative GPA falls below a 2.5 during the period of service, then the Resident Assistant will be dismissed from their position.

Behavioral Good Standing

Resident Assistants must maintain “good conduct standing” (not be on probation or have any outstanding sanctions) with Miami University as reported through the Office of Community Standards.

Conflicts

Resident Assistants agree to be present during the entire service period. RAs must speak to their professional staff as soon as a conflict becomes apparent, including, but not limited to, student teaching, internship, study abroad, or graduation.

Continued Training

Resident Assistants are developing students and it is the responsibility of the Office of Residence Life to provide opportunities for growth, reflection and learning. This is done through our Fall and Spring trainings, in-service opportunities, in-hall training, RA selection processes, and participation in EDL301.

Educational Leadership 301 - Student Development in the Residence Halls Course Requirement

All RAs, in the first semester of service, must enroll in and successfully complete this course with a grade of “C” or better to remain a Resident Assistant. RAs will be contacted by Associate Director of Residence Life, Sarah Meaney, about adding the course to their fall schedule.

Employment Policy

Due to Affordable Care Act restraints, Resident Assistants are not permitted to hold paid employment with the University while they are serving as Resident Assistants. Employment outside of the University is permitted following a consultation with the professional staff.

Housing Assignment

Resident Assistants are required to reside in the building and room to which they are assigned throughout the term of their appointment. As a result of summer construction, some (typically, very few) RAs might be required to move into temporary housing upon move-in or may need to vacate early at the end of the term. Please affiliate with the Miller Center for Student Disability Services if you have a need for a housing accommodation.

International Students

International students must also fill out an additional form related to the acquisition of a social security number.

Opening and Closing Requirement

The residence halls open and close several times during each semester (Hall Opening, Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break, and Hall Closing). Some portion of each team (if not all) will be required to be present in the building when the building closes and reopens during these times. Professional staff will determine the needs of the residence hall and set expectations of the Resident Assistants for these closings and openings. In some communities, all Resident Assistants may be asked to stay to open and close.

Other Commitment Policy

Resident Assistants must submit a written request to their professional staff to hold more than 10 hours per week combined of outside leadership/membership positions. Resident Assistants are not allowed to hold any executive board position on the Residence Hall Association.

Official Communication

Resident Assistants must use the Jabber phone service and university email to facilitate communication. Voicemail and email should be checked daily. Resident Asssistants must be members of the staff listserv.

Professional Staff Expectations

Resident Assistants will receive a list of community specific expectations from their professional staff during training including, but not limited to duty, presence in community, Residential Pillars of Success strategy implementation, role modeling, etc. Resident Assistants understand that they are also held accountable to these expectations as part of their continued service as a Resident Assistant.

Time Away

We recognize that a Resident Assistant may need time away from campus for activities and personal reasons. With this in mind, we expect our Resident Assistants to be available and in the building on weekends. In consultation, and with permission from your professional staff member, RAs will be permitted to be away from campus two weekends/4 nights per month. The expectation is that 50% of the RA team is available in the building over each weekend. Certain weekends may require a higher presence of Resident Assistants in the hall and professional staff will communicate that need when it arises.

Stipend

Resident Assistant leadership stipend amounts are determined by adding the cost of the room to which they will be assigned with a board supplement ($500 per semester, except RAs in Heritage Commons) and an RA allowance ($500 per semester). Since the design of the total stipend has a room rate attached, total amounts will vary based upon both the type of room to which RAs are assigned and their respective tuition promise cohort year.

Cost of Room + Board Supplement + RA Allowance = RA Leadership Stipend

RA leadership stipends are paid in equal installments across ten months and are received every two weeks (August through May). RA leadership stipends may be reduced (prorated) if an RA begins later or leaves earlier than the dates listed in the RA terms of service.

Cost of Room

While the stipend is based on the cost of the RA's room, it does not cover the cost directly. All RAs are expected to pay their housing costs on the same schedule as other students (typically upfront), and the RA leadership stipend reimburses those costs in monthly installments. The cost of room does not include the Residential Fee charged by Campus Services.

Board Supplement

The purpose of the board supplement is to offset some of the cost associated with purchasing a meal plan. Since Heritage Commons RAs are not required to have a meal plan, they will not receive the board supplement.

RA Allowance

The RA allowance is designed to compensate RAs for their effort and performance throughout the year. While the RA allowance is not designated for any specific purpose, RAs are welcome to apply the RA allowance for any expenses that they may have.

Stipend by Tuition Promise Cohort Year and Room Type

Here is the breakdown of full-year leadership stipends based on tuition promise cohort year and room type:

Tuition Promise Cohort 2024-2025

Tuition Promise Cohort 2023-2024

• Leadership Stipend for RAs in Traditional Rooms: $9,886
• Leadership Stipend for RAs in Standard Rooms: $11,518
• Leadership Stipend for RAs in Heritage Commons: $12,808

Tuition Promise Cohort 2022-2023

• Leadership Stipend for RAs in Traditional Rooms: $9,656
• Leadership Stipend for RAs in Standard Rooms: $11,240
• Leadership Stipend for RAs in Heritage Commons: $12,464

Tuition Promise Cohort 2021-2022

• Leadership Stipend for RAs in Traditional Rooms: $9,326
• Leadership Stipend for RAs in Standard Rooms: $10,842
• Leadership Stipend for RAs in Heritage Commons: $11,970

Tuition Promise Cohort 2020-2021

• Leadership Stipend for RAs in Traditional Rooms: $9,182
• Leadership Stipend for RAs in Standard Rooms: $10,668
• Leadership Stipend for RAs in Heritage Commons: $11,754

Terms of Service (2024-2025)

The Resident Assistant position is one of the most important, influential, and rewarding leadership opportunities available to for students. In addition to the information listed below, your supervisor will provide further, specific expectations for you community during Spring Orientation in April and Resident Assistant Training in August.

Service Period: The period of service is Friday, August 9, 2024 through Monday, May 19, 2025.

Calendar of Major Dates

In general, Resident Assistants must have no other commitments during residence hall and apartment opening and closing, training throughout the year and certain university events. The major dates are listed below. Required dates are communicated when events and initiatives are confirmed.