Position Description

The Resident Assistant (RA) is responsible for working closely with other Residence Life staff members and students to develop and maintain an atmosphere that promotes academic, personal, and social growth.  As an employee of University Housing, each RA will administer and enforce policies and procedures as outlined in the offline and online Student Staff Manuals, the Residence Hall Contract, and the University of Oregon Student Code of Conduct. The responsibilities of this student leadership position will be carried out under the supervision of a Complex Director, Associate Director, and the Director of Residence Life.

Qualifications

1. Undergraduates with a minimum of sophomore standing (45 credits) or graduate students with good academic standing (2.50 cumulative and term GPA required at time of placement) and at least one year of college experience by Fall Term 2008.
2. The ability to relate well with a variety of people from various backgrounds.
3. The ability to attend and pass the mandatory Spring Training Class, tentatively scheduled for Tuesdays from 4:00 to 6:00PM (CRN will be announced at a later date).
4. The ability to work as a team member to achieve departmental goals for community development.

Responsibilities to students in residence halls

1. Encourage personal, social, and academic development of students; spend sufficient time on the floor to assist students, the community and other activities as needed.
2. Serve as an information resource for campus agencies and their services.
3. Act as a facilitator in conflict situations (i.e. roommate conflicts, hall government conflicts, etc.).
4. Serve as a positive role model in personal behavior and academic pursuits.
5. Work cooperatively with students to build a positive community that displays respect for the rights and privacy of others and promoting consideration of individual needs in a group environment.
6. Respond to inappropriate student behavior that is in violation of campus policies and procedures.  Confront the action in question, complete and submit incident reports to the Complex Director within the required timeframe.
7. Maintain confidentiality and objectivity in working with residents and staff.
8. Represent student concerns relating to residence life to the Housing Department.
9. Provide peer counseling, respond to emergencies and make appropriate referrals when necessary.  All staff employed by University Housing are required to report all life threatening emergencies, crisis situations, and campus sexual assaults to their supervisors.  Student staff members cannot promise confidentiality in any situation.

Staff / Administrative Responsibilities

1. Actively participate in Fall and Spring training, as well as on-going staff training.
2. Participate fully in all individual and group staff evaluations as planned by the Housing Department.
3. Complete administrative paperwork in a timely and efficient manner that meets your supervisor's and University Housing's expectations.
4. Perform regularly scheduled duty shifts as assigned by the Complex Director.
5. Report to the Complex Director on all aspects of work.
6. Perform other duties as assigned by the Complex Director or the administrative staff of the Housing Department.

Community / Educational Programming

1. Support and encourage students in the development of a strong Hall Council and Complex Government.
2. Participate in major hall functions, assist living group in establishing various programs aiding in the development of a living and learning environment.
3. Facilitate Community Agreement Contract development with involvement from all hall members.
4. Assess needs of residents and implement programs addressing those needs. Meet the programming expectations set by the Assistant Director and the Complex Director. Cooperate with other staff team members to implement a programming plan for community development in your complex.

General Responsibilities

1. Attend weekly staff meetings held every Thursday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Do not schedule conflicting events during this time.
2. Attend regularly scheduled 1:1 meetings with the Complex Director, Assistant Complex Director, or Senior RA.
3. Report maintenance problems in a timely manner, provide immediate follow-up on reported problems.
4. Maintain positive working relationships with all Housing Department members.
5. Check your voicemail and email daily.
6. Maintain the security of University keys and/or keycards.
7. Use special staff privileges responsibly (i.e. use of office, voicemail, keys, office equipment, etc.).

Participation Requirements
Academic Success

1. Limit course load to no more than 16 credit hours (undergraduate) or 12 credit hours (graduate). The supervising Complex Director shall approve any additional credit hours prior to registration. In addition, enroll in and maintain a minimum of 12 credit hours (undergraduate) or 9 credits (graduate).
2. Maintain a 2.5 cumulative and quarterly grade point average.  Should a staff member’s cumulative G.P.A. fall below a 2.5, he or she will meet with the supervising Complex Director and agree on an action plan to bring up his or her GPA.  If a staff member’s cumulative G.P.A. falls below 2.5 at the end of Spring Term, they will not be re-hired as a Resident Assistant.  Any staff member dropping below a 1.5 GPA during any term will be terminated. 
3. Grant permission for University Housing to check your academic transcripts.

Training

1. Successfully complete the Spring Training Class.
2. Begin employment approximately one and half to two weeks prior to the opening of the residence halls and ends one day after the halls close each term and for the academic year.

General

1. Participate in the opening and closing of the halls each term and throughout the academic year.
2. Discuss and obtain approval for any major time commitments outside of the staff with the Complex Director. Any part-time job may not exceed a maximum of 10 hours per week. This includes leadership positions, academic commitments such as internships, athletic participation, etc.
3. Understand that student staff may be assigned or reassigned at any time during the year to a residence hall at the discretion of University Housing.
4. Maintain a standard of sleeping in my own room four nights per workweek and one of two nights per weekend.
5. Maintain availability to residents and staff during evening hours and weekends (approx. 15 hours/week), which may include providing hall coverage during some vacation and holiday periods when the halls remain open.
6. Uphold the rules and regulations of the University of Oregon and the laws of the State of Oregon in general. Obey the rules set forth in the Residence Hall Contract and the RA Manual, including the modeling of positive behavior (this includes not being present where alcohol is being consumed by minors or where illegal drugs are being possessed or consumed. Failure to comply may result in personnel action up to and including dismissal.
7. Be familiar with, adhere to, and actively support at all times the University of Oregon's statement on affirmative action, the University Housing's statement on civility, University Housing's mission statement, the University of Oregon's student conduct code, University Housing's contract and policies, and all local, state, and federal laws
8. Participate in the hiring process for student staff including attending training sessions and conducting interviews.
9. Be involved in departmental activities such as Complex Director interviews, Quality Circles, Complex Government and the Residence Hall Association.

Compensation

1. Receive room and board in a single occupancy residence hall room during the period of employment.
2. Receive a stipend of $600.00 per year as compensation for work in the form of eight monthly installments beginning on the last working day of October 2008 and ending on the last working day of May 2009.
3. Attendance at leadership training activities/leadership retreats that may include travel to off-campus sites.
4. Failure to fulfill the requirements of the position may result in termination of the position and stipend.