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Resident assistant

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A resident assistant, commonly shortened to "RA", is a trained student leader, within a college or university, charged with supervising students living in a residence hall. Many schools have different terms for this position; the more frequently used include "senior resident", "student assistant", "community advisor", "resident advisor", "residence hall assistant", "floor fellow", "house fellow", "proctor", "community facilitator" or "don". The RA selection and training processes, while varying from college to college, are usually quite rigorous and intense. RA training often consists of real-life incident simulations and team-building exercises.

1 Job benefits
2 Job duties and responsibilities
3 United Kingdom
4 Mexico
5 Notable RAs
6 External links
7 References

Job benefits

RAs are commonly the most direct liaisons between a school's student affairs administration and its student body. Tangible benefits of the RA position are generally intended as means of improving/increasing the RA's ability to identify and address the needs of their residents, as well as a way to compensate for the increased responsibility and demands on time that the RA agrees to accept by virtue of the position. These benefits vary greatly from institution to institution, and may include a single residence hall room (for assured privacy when counseling other students), parking permits, financial compensation/stipends, meal-plan, and/or significant discounts on room-rate (including full compensation). Arguably more important are the intangible benefits of the RA position, which include training in crisis management, negotiation and advocacy, advertising, time-management, ice breakers, etc. RAs are often prepared, by virtue of the demands of their position, to make successful transitions from the college environment to the job market, since they can demonstrate leadership training, management skills, and community involvement as part of their collegiate experience.

Job duties and responsibilities

Typically RAs are assigned "duty" periods during which they must patrol a residence hall or campus area to ensure that any maintenance or facilities-related issues are addressed, that institutional policies are being observed, and generally to ensure that the residence hall is an environment supportive of the educational pursuits of the students. An RA is also expected to be available to offer support for students encountering issues such as roommate conflicts, depression, and alcohol or drug abuse on a day-to-day basis. RA's often are required to plan and facilitate events (often called Programs) for the residents in order to enhance the living community within the residential hall. These programs can take almost any form, ranging from community service projects, to social events such as watching movies, to educational programs where a topic is explored (eg: racism and multiculturalism, relationships, mental health, etc.) or a skill (eg: cooking, laundry, time-management, etc.) is taught. These programs are usually designed to build community between residents, help residents develop academic skills, hone leadership skills, or simply encourage personal growth and understanding in a particular area. In some cases, RAs, depending on each school's policies, are required to be trained in CPR and respond to medical emergencies. RAs at some schools have also had to respond to violent confrontations between students. At other universities, RAs are not allowed to physically touch students due to legal ramifications, these responsibilities of RAs differ on a case-by-case basis. As the RA position is primarily administrative in nature, RAs are often not permitted to cross such legal boundaries as search and seizure of property, and room entry without a resident's permission. In such cases where this is necessary, RAs defer to local authorities.

United Kingdom

The term "sub-wardens" or "senior members" is a position in UK universities similar to that of the resident assistant in the USA. Such positions do not generally entail as much focus on improvement of student life as in the USA, and are instead more directed towards pastoral care of residents along with duties covering security, fire and first-aid along with night/weekend duty work. That said, members of wardenial teams are often expected to contribute to the overall social life of their hall of residence. The positions are most often filled by students undertaking a PhD, although mature students studying for a Masters degree have also been known to fill the role.

Mexico

In Mexico, resident assistants are typically called "prefectos". The position has many of the same functions as in the USA, with a few exceptions including taking attendance every night at 11:30pm.The residence halls tend to be mainly of the same sex; therefore attendance is taken every night by a resident assistant to ensure opposite sex guests are no longer in the building.