By Mallory Sherwood, Features Editor

Cami Brunts was not looking for the position as an assistant director; she applied to be a resident assistant in University Park apartments. However, she was asked to take the position of assistant director in A. B. Morris Hall, a sophomore women’s residence hall.

Nearly six months later, Brunts, a senior exercise science major from Helotes, submitted a Residence Life application to keep her position in Morris Hall for the 2005-06 school year.

Brunts is one of 50 students who have applied for a Residence Life position. Appli-cations are due Friday for all students interested in a position as resident assistant, spiritual life adviser or assistant director in freshman and sophomore residence halls and University Park apartments.

Each year, the response from students applying for a position continues to grow, said Jake Sledge, Mabee Hall resident director and assistant director of Residence Life.

“We’d really like to give each person that applies a job,” Sledge said. “It’s really a difficult situation because we get such a big response from so many quality applicants.”

Students who apply will be interviewed by the resident directors in February and should know if they received the position by spring break, Sledge said.

Christy Smith, sophomore undeclared major from Allen, applied for a Residence Life position.

“I’m preparing myself for the interview,” Smith said. “I applied last year and didn’t get it, but now I know what to expect. I am going to walk in there with a plan and know that I am good for this job.”

To be considered for a position, applicants must meet certain criteria.

Students in Residence Life are required to maintain a grade point average of 2.7 or higher. They can’t work outside of ACU because of the time commitment, and they must attend all meetings, training and orientation.

In addition, they must have good Chapel attendance, and they must have completed 24 semester hours, Sledge said.

RA’s also are required to be awake from 10 p.m. until midnight to get to know the residents, work four to eight hours a week in the hall’s office and plan three programs per semester for the residents, Brunts said.

The applicant’s personal character is a consideration to those conducting the interview.

“We are looking for people who are self-motivated and who sincerely want to mentor Christian attitudes to students,” Sledge said. “We have a diverse and multicultural group and want to continue this tradition because it is something we value.”

Brunts agreed these are qualities the applicants should have and said she sees them in the staff this year.

“They have a love for the residents and dedication for their job,” Brunts said.

Sledge said the positions are important to the students because of the connections Residence Life workers make with students on an individual basis.

“What happens outside of the classroom makes up over 50 percent of your college experience,” Sledge said. “Students need somebody who is there, who cares and someone who will listen, counsel and point them in the right direction. These students just genuinely care for the well-being of students.”