Residence Life

RESIDENT ASSISTANT SELECTION PROCESS

Thank you for your interest in becoming a JSU Resident Assistant (RA). The RA position is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the JSU community and impact the lives of students who live in your hall.

 

RA Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the requirements for the position?

 

• Must have 33 credit hours completed (1 full semester if you are a transfer student).
• Must be a full-time student enrolled in 15 credit hours.
• Must have a 2.8 cumulative GPA.
• Must not be graduating in the fall semester.
• Must submit 2 letters of recommendation. (Cannot be from another student, current resident assistant or building director).
• May not have another University funded on-campus job.
• Must not have been terminated from a previous housing position.
• Outside employment and/or extra-curricular activities must not interfere with this position.
• Good judicial and financial standings.
• Must be willing to work weekends, nights, and holidays as needed.
• Must attend an Information Session.
• Must have lived on campus for at least one semester by the time employment begins.

1. What are the benefits of the position?

 

Resident Assistants receive room and/or the All Access I meal plan or a monthly stipend.  RAs have the ability to impact the lives of students in many different ways.  The RA position also helps students as they transition through college and the RA position has the opportunity to gain student leadership experience.

 

1. How many RA positions are there?  Are there any alternate positions?

 

The total new number of applicants hired will depend on the number of current RAs returning for the next academic year.  There is a selection for alternate positions.  These candidates may be used if a position opens up over the summer or mid-year.  It is common to fill 1-3 positions with alternates at some point during the year. 

 

1. If I have been documented for an incident, can I still be an RA?

 

Students must be in good conduct standing with the Dean of Students Office and Housing/Residence Life in order to be an RA.  Good standing means:  you are not currently suspended, expelled, on interim suspension, or university probation from the University and/or Residence Life.  In addition, you must not have any incomplete sanctions with the Dean of Students Office or The Department of Housing/Residence Life.

 

1. May I participate in other extra-curricular activities or have another job while I am an RA?

 

The expectation of our RAs is that academics come first, the RA job comes second and extracurricular activities come third.  RA should anticipate 15-20 scheduled hours per week of routine responsibilities (i.e. staff meetings, resident contact, office coverage, staff assignments, etc.)  We recognize as a student leader, students may want to be involved in other leadership opportunities, but outside employment or other extracurricular activities must not interfere with the new position. The RA position must be the primary leadership position after academics. 

 

1. What does being “on duty” mean?

 

Specific on-duty tasks vary by area.  However, on average, while on duty, RAs are expected to remain in their area.  The RA will address all resident concerns from 8:00p-8:00p and aid fellow RAs, Resident Managers, Hall Directors and other university staff on duty as needed.  RAs also may be used to work the desk in the residence hall. Additionally, on-duty RAs walk through the building(s), address facility concerns or resident behavioral issues, and report incidents to their Hall Director and/or Hall Director on duty. 

 

1. I currently live off-campus.  Can I apply to be an RA?

 

You must live in an on-campus residential community for at least one semester by the end of the Spring semester in order to be considered.

 

1. If hired, may I pick the Residence Hall in which I want to work?

 

No, placements are offered based on the skills and strengths of each RA candidate and the needs of the Department of Housing/Residence Life.

 

1. If offered placement in a certain residence hall, and do not accept, am I eligible for placement in another hall?

 

No, the initial placement is considered the final offer.  If you do not accept the initial placement, you will no longer be an eligible candidate for other building placements.   

 

1. When do I need to be back at JSU for RA training?  If I have a conflict, can I be late for training or miss training?

 

RA training for the academic school year begins in August.  Please look for an update in May. You are expected to be present on campus, and fully participate in the entirety of fall training, spring training, opening, and RA recruitment.  RA Training is an essential component to being successful as RAs will learn about crisis management, conflict mediation, emergency protocol, and community operations. RAs are expected to attend all training sessions.  New RAs are not allowed to miss any part of training or opening.

 

1. What if I have more questions?

 

Please feel free to speak with your Residence Hall Director or main staff in the Housing Office about any other questions.  For general questions about the recruitment process, please email: jsu-raselection@jsums.edu.