By Kelline Linton, Staff Writer
Wanted: student leaders who will give up late night privileges for daily curfew checks, afterhour talks and quick thinking in potentially chaotic situations.
ResLife Caffeinated, an event that will take place 5-6 p.m. this Wednesday in the Campus Center Living Room, is an annual informative session for interested students who are thinking of applying for a resident assistant or assistant director position.
The ResLife event was planned by Kevin Claypool, R.D. of Edwards Hall, and Chris Windsor, R.D. of Mabee Hall, and will focus on answering applicants’ questions and explaining the job descriptions.
“A lot of people don’t know what the job entails,” said Windsor. “It is very Christ-centered. We are looking for guys who are willing to walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”
R.A.s and A.D.s live with younger classmen in residence halls and provide guidance and watchful eyes for any situations that may arise.
The guidelines for the R.A. and A.D. positions were rewritten this year by John Delony, Residence Life Director. The job description focuses more on missional change and Christian living.
“[R.A.s] have personal Christ-centered leadership development as they fulfill Christ’s role of getting messy in people’s lives, and their job is one of the most powerful on the college campus,” Delony said.
R.A.s are expected to develop a bond with their charges inside and outside the residence hall.
“To be a good R.A. is to go beyond the job description,” Windsor said.
Seventy students attended the ResLife interest meeting last year, and about a hundred applicants are expected this semester.
The application for R.A. or A.D. can be found at acu.edu/reslife Web site and must be returned to the ResLife Office in McKinzie Hall by Feb. 18.
Kelly Sargent, R.D. of Nelson Hall, said R.A.s and A.D.s take on a 24-hour job.
“This is life ministry and an amazing opportunity to love people,” Sargent said.