The resident adviser hiring process has begun, and the Office of Residence Life is conducting interest meetings for students interested in applying.
The interest meetings have taken place throughout this past week, with meetings on at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, in Hart Auditorium and at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, in the Packer Forum in the Library. There will be meetings next week on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 9 p.m. on Zoom and Thursday, Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. in the Wessel Classroom.
Gloria Chappell, resident director of Barret Hall, is helping with hiring this year.
“The RA interest meetings will cover the roles in ResLife and all you need to know about applying and being an RA,” Chappell said.
Group interviews will take place Oct. 24 through Oct. 26, and individual interviews will take place Nov. 6 through Nov. 16. The requirements to be an RA include successfully passing and completing PSYC 211 in the Spring 2024 semester, maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher while being a full-time student, staying in good standing, and limiting outside activities during the period of employment to a maximum of 20 hours per week. All RAs must attend required training sessions and meetings.
Zack Snyder, director of residential experience, said they are looking for all different types of people in these interviews.
“We are looking for introverted, extroverted, Type A personalities, Type B personalities, people very involved on campus, people not very involved on campus, people involved in a variety of organizations on campus, people not very involved in organizations on campus, a variety of majors, people who are open-minded, people who are willing to grow, learn, etc.,” Snyder said. “Overall, we are looking for someone who is willing to partner with us in fostering a community within the buildings.”
RA’s must go to a weekly one-hour residence hall staff meeting as well as a one hour weekly one-on-one meeting with their RD or senior resident adviser. They must maintain a presence in the hall and be available for on-duty rotation, curfew checks and lobby hours. They need to try and build up community involvement and complete administrative work as well. RA’s receive free housing and a biweekly stipend of $135.
Ryker Ratliff, RD of Mabee Hall, said there are lots of ways future RA’s can connect with their residents.
“We encourage RAs to connect with their residents through casual conversations, hall events, curfew in our freshmen halls and res checks in our sophomore halls,” Ratliff said. “There are lots of creative ways to connect with residents.”
