Resident Assistant Information

Be Rowdy. Be UTSA. Be a Resident Assistant.

Resident Assistant Application - Fall 2008 (MS Word Document)

Recommendation form - Fall 2008 (MS Word Document)

Resident assistant nomination form, done by current RAs (MS Word Document)

Resident assistant nomination form, done by UTSA faculty/staff (MS Word Document)

What is the job like?

An RA is a student staff member with University Housing. The position varies depending on the community assigned and the day to day can never be determined. Generally, though, the RA’s principal duties include serving as the advisor, peer-counselor, friend, disciplinarian and resource person for a community of 500-1500 residents. In order to perform these duties, the RA must develop a personal relationship with the residents in his community.

Most weeks the job will take much more than the 20 hours that an RA is required to work. There will be on-call duties, resident concerns, programs, meetings and staff issues that occupy time. Some weeks may be rather slow while others may be packed with unforeseen time commitments. RAs need to be around their community most nights and weekends.

What are the requirements?

· Good academic and disciplinary standing with the University

· Pass a criminal background check

· An RA must hold and maintain a cumulative and semester GPA of 2.5

· 24 semester hours completed before the start of employment

· Full-time enrolled student

· If hired you will be required to complete a pre-training internship any time during the Spring of 2008

What can you expect from the position?

As an RA, you receive a staff bed space, a monthly stipend of $150.00 and other benefits dependent upon assignment. Beyond this, you will develop leadership and life skills not provided by other student jobs.

RAs are involved in a number of training and development opportunities to enhance skills used in the position. This includes training before the halls open and during the semester, mainly through staff development activities in staff meetings and regular all-staff events.

Supervision and support is provided by professional staff members known as Resident Coordinators. Other Housing staff members (including Assistant Directors, Associate Directors, Managing Directors and Executive Directors) are also available to discuss concerns and ideas that you may have to enhance the department and the RA position.

What will be expected of you?

Since training and staff meetings are such a key part of the job, they are required activities. Therefore, RAs must return early to campus each semester. If you are on the RA staff for the Fall 2008 semester, you are expected to be available for training on a date determined by your assigned community.

As an RA, you must be available to work approximately 20 hours per week, including night and weekend hours. You will participate in an on-call rotation in which you handle after hours calls including lock-outs, noise complaints, policy violations and more. RAs are provided support by other student staff and professional staff members whenever necessary.

More than anything else, you are expected to be yourself while also being a role model. RAs, like all employees of University Housing, are expected to make ethical and responsible decisions. RAs must carry out policies to promote the general welfare of the students. This involves support of the University and Housing policies and regulations in both words and actions. RAs also need to make the commitment to balance personal issues, school and work so they can perform the job effectively. Strong time management cannot be emphasized enough. In addition, RAs are entrusted with great responsibility for keys and money and are expected to treat both with care.

What to expect for the interviews

In your application you will be asked to rank order dates and times to participate in a group interview process. Participation is required for all applicants. You will be given tasks to complete as part of a small and large group. We will e-mail all applicants who meet minimum requirements with an assigned group interview date, time and location on Wednesday, February 13 th, 2008

Interviews will be conducted and evaluated by both professional and student staff members. Take the interview seriously. Arrive early to ensure that you are on time and dress professionally. As with the application, the interview should be representative of your best effort.

Answer questions honestly and with specifics. Provide examples when appropriate. Most questions won’t be fully answered with a “yes” or “no” but they also won’t require an extremely long answer. To prepare yourself, think of what strengths you bring to the position, what type of RA you would try to be and things about the job which might be difficult for you. If you don’t understand a question, ask for clarification. Also, take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions you might have about the position. But, above all, be yourself!

Tips on applying for the Resident Assistant Position

Make sure you turn in a complete application packet and follow instructions. Here’s a checklist to help you!

__ Completed and signed application
__ Copy of professional resume
__ Two (one professional, one peer) completed, sealed and signed recommendation forms
__ Typed essay questions on separate paper
__ Programming design on separate paper

· Don’t forget to rank order your interview time!

· Be on time for your interviews.

· Be YOURSELF!

Important Dates

Questions?

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Erik Stein via email erik.stein@utsa.edu or phone at (210) 458-6200

You may also contact any of the Coordinators for each of the communities.

Chaparral Village: (210) 458-6830
Laurel Village: (210) 458-6200
Chisholm Hall: (210) 697-4400
University Oaks: (210) 877-4000