Skip to main content
uniE610
Jump to Footer

Resident Assistant Position Requirements

Housing

  • RAs are required to live on campus, in their assigned space, during their employment.
  • RAs are required to sign a housing agreement and pay the $200.00 deposit.
  • RAs are responsible for their housing costs.
  • RA applicants must live at least one semester in the residence halls prior to employment.

Academic

  • Individuals will be allowed to participate in the Resident Assistant selection process if they have at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA at end of the Fall 2023 semester.
  • Applicants offered a Resident Assistant position must have at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA at the end of the Spring 2024 semester to be eligible for employment the following Fall 2024 semester. Failure to maintain 2.50 cumulative GPA at this time will result in revocation of an employment offer. Summer courses taken after the revocation of an employment offer do not reverse the decision.
  • Individuals must maintain a 2.50 or higher cumulative GPA to remain employed as a Resident Assistant. If their cumulative GPA drops below a 2.50 during the period of employment, the staff member will go on probation for one semester with the understanding that they must achieve a cumulative 2.50 GPA at the end of the probationary semester to retain their position.
  • If a Resident Assistant achieves below a 2.00 GPA for two consecutive semesters, they will be dismissed from the position, even if their cumulative GPA is a 2.50 or higher.

Student Conduct

RAs are members of the Residence Life staff and serve as representatives of the University in the residence halls for which they have responsibilities. Therefore, RAs and candidates seeking an RA position are expected to understand, support, and adhere to the University Student Code of Conduct. Though not immediately disqualifying, violations of code of conduct will be taken into consideration when selecting candidates to interview and hire for open positions.

 

Resident Assistant Duties and Responsibilities

Resident Assistants…

  • Are members of the Residence Life Staff who serve as representatives of the university in a residence hall community for which they are responsible.
  • Play a critical role in the development of residence hall life and have broad responsibilities for the social, academic, and emotional growth and well-being of the students who reside on their floor.
  • Serve as a line of communication between the students and the university administrators.
  • Communicate university policy to students and bring student concerns to university professional staff members.

Administrative Responsibilities

  • Assist in the opening and closing of residence halls at break periods and at the beginning and end of each semester.
  • Greets and assists in the orientation of new residents.
  • Assists in identifying and reporting maintenance and safety problems in the residence hall.
  • Be an active presence in the residence hall during specific hours during the week and on weekends.
  • Respond to, and report, instances of policy violations in the residence hall.
  • Performs other tasks related to administration of residence halls as assigned Residence Director, Assistant Director of Residence Life, Associate Director of Residence Life, or Director of Housing and Residence Life.
  • Conducts scheduled inspections of residents’ rooms in the residence hall.

Advisement and Development of Residence Hall Community

  • Monitors and addresses community needs in the residence hall.
  • Communicates and supports university policies and regulations.
  • Establishes and maintains personal contact with every student in their specific community.
  • Assists hall council representatives within the residential community.
  • Helps individual students make transitions to Shippensburg University.
  • Helps establish an environment that is conducive to academic achievement.
  • Knows of and informs students of campus services and processes for their use.
  • Listens to resident concerns and connects them to proper resources.
  • Remains aware of students demonstrating signs of serious physical or mental health concerns, and where necessary, refers them to the proper individual(s) on campus.
  • Helps to foster an inclusive, respectful, welcoming community within their own residence hall and throughout the campus at large.

Community Building

  • Encourages students to contribute through participation in Hall Council and hall wide activities.
  • Ensures that students have an opportunity to participate in the planning and implementation of activities for the positive development of the residential community.
  • Promotes academic faculty involvement in the initiatives and activities within the residence hall.
  • Encourages student involvement in Shippensburg University events.
  • Provides and implements the community development model for students on their floor.
  • Promotes discussion groups on the floor (formal and informal) and serves as (or obtains) a resource person(s) for the discussion.
  • Educates and informs through bulletin boards, posters, flyers, and newsletters.

 Staff Development and Training

  • Expected to return to Shippensburg University approximately two weeks before the start of school in the fall to participate in an in-depth staff development and training program. Tentative Fall 2024 return date is Sunday, August 11, 2024.
  • Responsible for attending development and training in-service programs which will be designated each semester.