Job Description and Responsibilities for Resident Assistants (RAs)

Job Description

Resident Assistants (RAs) are paid undergraduate or coterminal student staff who live in University undergraduate residences to help build strong and healthy residential learning communities which complement and extend classroom learning. RAs are expected to create residential environments that enhance student academic progress and success; to promote the intellectual life of the residence; to create opportunities for students to explore and clarify their interests, values and attitudes; to build inclusive and reflective environments in which differences of background and belief are explored; to provide personal and academic counseling and referral; to participate in house activities; to know and explain University policies; to be available to students, and to encourage student responsibility and accountability.

There are two categories of Resident Assistants:

1) RAs in houses with Resident Fellows; and

2) RAs in Row houses and the Suites without RFs. The two categories of RAs differ both in their expected workload and in compensation levels. The RA job also varies by house type—all frosh, 4-class, upper-class and apartment style.

Being an RA means being a member of a staff team. Whether working on an RF/RA team or in houses without RFs, RAs work with a variety of administrators: field office coordinator (RSAS) , food service workers, facilities staff, Residential Deans (RDs), consultants from Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), among others. RAs may also work with any number of student staff: House, Kitchen and Financial Managers, Resident Computer Coordinators (RCCs), Theme Associates (TAs), Focus Assistants (FAs), Head Peer Academic Coordinators (HPACs) and Advising Associates (AAs), Peer Health Educators (PHEs), house officers, etc.. Together the entire staff works as a team to create reflective and responsible living/learning environments.

The following describes the job responsibilities, conditions of employment, and compensation for all RA positions. Work expectations will be adapted to each living situation in such a way as to reflect the different levels of RA compensation and house type. Specific job objectives will be described by the RFs/Row or Suites RA Supervisors at the large group information meetings (Spring process only), are described in the RF Bios, and will be further explained through the interview process. Additionally, programmatic changes within Residential Education may alter some of the job responsibilities.

Job Responsibilities

Leadership

RAs hold leadership positions of responsibility and will need to exercise authority in some situations. As leaders in their residence, RAs are expected to do the following:

• Assume a primary leadership role, serving as role models for responsible behavior and personal integrity; exercise good judgment.
• Know and educate residents about University policies, procedures, regulations, and community standards (e.g., the Fundamental Standard, the Honor Code, the Residence Agreement, the Drug Free Campus Act, the University Alcohol Policy, the Smoke Free Environment Policy, the Sexual Harassment Policy, the Sexual Assault Policy, the Weapons Policy, the policies of the Housing Assignment Services (including the Draw), and other important policies pertaining to the residences and University life.
• Develop strong facilitation, effective communication and other leadership skills by participating in leadership training (including spring training, September training, in-service training during the year, reading the written training materials for residence staff).
• Know and educate residents about the University emergency (e.g., earthquake and fire) response protocols and procedures (including establishing emergency response teams as set out in the earthquake protocols for residences).
• Work closely with, support and advise other leaders in the house--such as house managers or house government representatives--by attending house meetings, house government meetings, and house social events.
• Assume a leadership role in crises (e.g., earthquake, fire, and other emergencies).

In support of the University's mission and the academic progress of their residents, RAs are expected to do the following:

• Be knowledgeable about the general and departmental advising programs and support the interaction of students and their advisors (and where appropriate, their advising associates).
• Know and be able to direct residents to the academic resources and support services on campus (e.g. tutors, labs, library resources, academic advising).
• Help create residential environments that promote academic inquiry and discourse and are conducive to studying.

RAs are responsible for creating a residence environment in which all views, popular and unpopular, can be voiced, heard respectfully, and fully explored. RAs are expected to do the following:

• Help establish community norms and ground rules to ensure open and honest communication and responsible student conduct.
• Be sensitive to the needs of all groups in the residence, and help residents to be aware of each others concerns.
• Plan programs and discussions about cultural background, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, race, class, gender, and other diversity issues.
• Mediate conflict and help residents to take responsibility for their residence community.

As educators and facilitators, RAs are expected to do the following:

• Plan and promote educational opportunities and programs in the residence.
• Invite faculty into the residences and create opportunities for faculty to have comfortable, informal interaction with students.
• Promote the intellectual life of the residence through formal and informal discussions about campus, national and international issues (including culture, values, beliefs, social, political, and ethical issues).
• Share their intellectual and academic interests with residents and encourage residents to discuss their academic interests, experiences, goals, and future plans.

Residents seek advice from their RAs, and specific counseling responsibilities include being able to do the following:

• Be an active and effective listener.
• Help each individual attain a sense of self and personal well-being.
• Communicate support without assuming responsibility for the problem or for the decision-making.
• Identify crises that require immediate attention and work with RF, Residence Deans and others to resolve crises.
• Know appropriate campus offices and resources to which to refer students.
• Maintain confidentiality of both private conversations and staff discussions.
• Know and use the services of the Residence Dean (RD) and CAPS consultant.

As members of the Residential Education staff, RAs are expected to complete the following administrative tasks in a timely and efficient manner:

• Participate fully in the opening and closing of the residences.
• Check in regularly--usually daily--at the residence field office.
• Check email regularly--usually daily
• Ensure that house members receive information about University and Residence policies.
• Distribute materials from the Central Office and other official University material.
• Post fliers about campus and house events.
• Assume responsibility for house security, including use of the master key, and evening lockup.
• Prepare monthly summaries of house programs/activities entered on the Web site (Residential Education Home Page).
• Participate in residence and staff evaluations.
• Assist with staff selection (e.g., reading application, interviewing and participating in the expectation discussions at the general information meeting).
• Serve on advisory committees as needed.

RAs are paid staff and are expected to be professional at all times. RAs serve as role models for the residents and are basically always "on duty". RAs are expected to do the following:

• Know and abide by University policies including but not limited to the Fundamental Standard, the Honor Code, the Controlled Substances and Alcohol Policy, the Smoking Policy, the Policy on Sexual Harassment and Consensual Sexual or Romantic Relationships, as well as the Residence Agreement.
• Be responsible and professional community leaders.
• Exercise common sense and mature, good judgment in their interactions or relationships with residents.

To work effectively with their residential team, RAs are expected to do the following:

• Attend and contribute to regularly-scheduled staff meetings with the RF/Suites Supervisor and other RAs, and in the case of the Row, with Assistant Director on the Row and the house management team.
• Work cooperatively with staff on projects and shared tasks.
• Offer and accept constructive feedback.
• Act as a liaison between the support staff and the residents.

Employment Conditions

Stanford students, undergraduate and graduate students, are welcome to apply for residence staff positions. No person will be appointed to a residence staff position without having been at Stanford for a least a year before assuming the position.

RAs must be registered during all three quarters of their appointment at Stanford unless they have applied for graduation for the end of winter quarter in which case like other students, RAs may remain in housing unregistered for spring quarter. RAs may register at a reduced level if they satisfy applicable registration requirements. 'Permit to Attend' is a registration status in which students may audit one or more courses under certain circumstances. 'Permit to Attend for Services Only (PSO)' is a registration status available to students completing honor's work or in some cases incompletes. RAs may also use the PSO registration status, but PSO will only be granted once and only in the final quarter of registration in the senior year. (RAs may not take a PSO quarter as an RA and one as an honor's student). Please note that students with PSO status are not eligible for financial aid and may not enroll in courses. AGR and TGR are registration status's available to graduate students who have completed all of their course work among other requirements.

RAs must have a guaranteed year of undergraduate housing remaining although there may be a limited number of exemptions for candidates to the Row and the Suites. In the past, RAs with no guaranteed years of undergraduate housing could apply and be selected for an RA position throughout the undergraduate housing system. This is no longer the case as stated above. The RA position will count as an unpreferred year unless you only have preferred year remaining. If you are living in Suites or Mirrielees, your roommate(s) must have a guaranteed year of housing remaining. If the Suites or Mirrielees drew preferred in the previous year's Housing Draw, then your roommate(s) must have a preferred year of housing in order to be your roommate in the next year.

RAs are expected to remain in good academic standing. Candidates who are on probation or provisional registration are not eligible for an RA position. Incompletes must be completed before the start of the job in September. If a student is placed on probation or is suspended during their service as a Resident Assistant, this will be grounds for termination.

RAs must have a social security number. Non-US citizens must also have a current and appropriate visa. In addition, proof of employment eligibility is required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

RAs are required to live in the residence to which they are assigned and to sign and abide by the Stanford Housing Residence Agreement and any other special house agreements that are required by members of the house.

RAs, in order to be accessible and provide a consistent level of response to residents, must have in their name a local phone number that is toll free from Stanford student residences and published in online departmental (Residential Education) directories. Additionally, phone numbers of RAs/CAs should have a dedicated answering service (e.g. voicemail, answering machine). In other words, RAs are not required to have a phone connected through Stanford Communication Services. However, if you choose an option other than Stanford Communication Services, it must be toll free to call that number from Stanford residences.

RAs are required to purchase at least the minimum board plan associated with the house to which they have been assigned, and are expected to eat most meals in the house. Exceptions in the case of extraordinary health reasons may be pursued with the Office of Residential Education.

RAs are required to pay house dues if dues are charged to residents of the house to which they are assigned.

RAs are expected to remain in their residences until the end of finals in the case of all frosh houses, and until the Monday following graduation in 4-class or upperclass houses.

RAs are required to attend and participate in all of RA training and staff retreats starting late August/early September (and participate in other training sessions during the year). Specific dates for training are provided during the selection process.

RAs are expected to abide by all University policies and may not break the law. Violating University policy or breaking the law is grounds for termination.

Compensation

Salary for all RAs/CAs is to be decided. RAs/CAs will be paid once per quarter prior to the beginning of the quarter. This method was chosen to make it easier for RAs/CAs who require their RA/CA compensation to help pay their university bill.

The RA/CA compensation is considered tax exempt by the Internal Revenue Service. This means that taxes are not withheld from RA/CA paychecks and RAs/CAs will not receive a W-2 form reflecting the RA/CA pay. For questions or concerns about this, please contact Jean Kitaji at jeank@stanford.edu.

If you are a fifth year or co-terminal student and get offered a position on the Row or at the Suites you should talk to the Financial Aid office to determine how your RA salary will impact your financial aid if you are receiving financial aid or other grant/fellowship money.

Financial Aid Information

The following information on financial aid policies and practices is offered to help clarify how RA/CA support may affect financial aid. Policies are subject to revision at institutional discretion.

Due to clarification of federal regulations and adjustment of our own policies, the Financial Aid Office is able to treat Resident and College Assistant salaries differently than they have in the past and provide RAs/CAs with the most favorable treatment. The RA/CA compensation will be treated as student employment. The Financial Aid Office recommends that you use your RA/CA compensation to reduce the amount of money you take out in loasns, however, it is your option to decline these loans.

It is important that all RA/CA applicants on financial aid contact the Financial Aid Office before starting the application process. You should do this to find out the impact of the RA/CA position on your financial aid package so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not you could/would accept a position should you be offered one.