| RA Position Description | RA Compensation Package | RA Selection Criteria | |
| Application Process Timeline | Interview Tips | Non-Discriminatory Statement | |
| RA Application | |||
Thank you for taking the time and interest in becoming a Resident Assistant at UNCW!
You may e-mail Andrea Swanson at swansona@uncw.edu to confirm the number of references recieved.
Note: All communication will happen through your UNCW PO Box. Please check it regularly. Good luck with the process! If you have any questions, please call Annahita Smedal, Residence Coordinator for The University Suites and Schwartz Hall at extension 3975 or smedala@uncw.edu.
The Resident Assistant is responsible for a floor, wing, pod, building, or area. The RA is there to help with the personal and academic concerns of the student and to help work out any group conflicts that may arise. The Resident Assistant also serves as a facilitator to encourage a cooperative and considerate group living environment. The RA is expected to help build a feeling of togetherness and community by initiating and helping to organize floor, wing, pod or section and hall activities and programs. The RA serves as an information resource about the campus and residence hall. Most of all, the RA is expected to be a person who cares about people and attempts to make the residence hall a valuable place to live.
The responsibilities of the Resident Assistant are numerous and varied. The following is a representative list of Resident Assistant responsibilities.
The Resident Assistant:
Community Builder
• Acts as a community facilitator by developing an atmosphere that promotes a sense of belonging, support, and affiliation.
• Becomes acquainted with each student in the living unit as soon as possible as well as with other residents of the hall.
• Holds periodic meetings with the living unit for general communication, sharing information, or generating enthusiasm.
• Facilitates programming individually and in cooperation with other Resident Assistants and with residents of the living unit.
• Encourages and supports students in their involvement in Area Chapters, programming, and campus activities.
Leader
• Is familiar with campus and community resources.
• Knows and understands the rationale for university and residence hall policies and procedures and interprets and enforces them effectively.
• Develops a positive working relationship with Residence Coordinator and with peer staff members.
• Assists in maintaining order in emergency situations.
• Communicates consistently, effectively, and efficiently with other RAs, the Desk Receptionists, the Assistant Residence Coordinator, and Residence Coordinator.
• Works with the Assistant Residence Coordinator in supporting Area Chapters.
• Is intent on becoming a part of, and supporting, a team that will serve the residents, the department and each respective hall staff.
• Maintains positive relationships with fellow RAs, Desk Receptionists, Assistant Residence Coordinator and the Residence Coordinator.
• As paraprofessional members of the Office of Housing and Residence Life, RAs are expected to maintain a high level of ethical standards whether on duty or not. RAs should always assist in hall matters regardless of a duty night.
• Participates in recruitment, selection, and training of all new staff members.
• Maintains a professional attitude and manner while employed as a university employee for the Office of Housing and Residence Life.
• Knows and understands the philosophy of the Office of Housing and Residence Life and is familiar with the resource material in the HRL Office and it’s documents (i.e. manuals).
Peer Helper
• Acts as a referral agent in serious emergency situations.
• Helps students adjust to their roommates, floor mates, suitemates, residence hall and university community.
• Shares responsibility of duty nights and hall security. RAs are expected to be in their respective hall most evenings and nights of each week and available to meet student needs. Official RA duty guidelines set by HRL and the Residence Coordinator. These guidelines include duty rounds, security checks, professional behavior, etc.
• Informs the Residence Coordinator of living unit situations (incidents, needs, behavioral changes, and unknown whereabouts of members) through individual consultations, unscheduled conversations and staff meetings.
• Is available to assist students with their personal and group concerns within limits of training and capability.
Administrator
• Assists in additional responsibilities that occur concerning hall functions.
• Provides an information floor bulletin board for academic information, social events, Area Chapters, maintenance, policies and procedures.
• Works with housekeepers, maintenance personnel, etc. to promote efficient facility support and respectful understanding of the responsibilities of both the residents and UNCW personnel.
• Helps develop a positive and supportive relationship with University Police, University Dining Services staff, Recreation Services staff, and all other staff who work in conjunction with the Office of Housing and Residence Life.
• The RA will sit at the front desk / in RA office and serve as a Desk Receptionist on their duty night.
• Supports and participates in the evaluation of residence hall staff personnel.
• Completes administrative tasks as assigned by the Residence Coordinator or the Office of Housing and Residence Life.
a. maintains records concerning room inventory and damages in student's rooms.
b. Assists in student room check-in and room check-out procedures.
c. Assists in surveys and special projects as requested by the Residence Coordinator or the Office of Housing and Residence Life.
• Remains in the residence hall until all students have left for vacations periods (Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring, and Summer Breaks) and returns early to open the hall after vacation periods.
• Resident Assistants must participate in opening, closing and inspection procedures and may not leave until dismissed by the Residence Coordinator.
Other
• Participates in required RA training sessions throughout the year. Advance notification to your Residence Coordinator is required if unable to attend due to academic reasons.
• Attends and participates in all meetings called by the Residence Coordinator or Office of Housing and Residence Life.
• The Resident Assistant is permitted the equivalent of one weekend off per month. Any and all requests for time away from the hall, especially nights, must be submitted in writing to the Residence Coordinator.
Free single room. RA's will have a temporary roommate at the beginning of the academic year, but will be compensated for the period of time they keep a roommate.
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Free meal plan of your choice. (Gold 100 meal plan is only available to Seahawk Village, Seahawk Landing, Suites and Apartment RA's.)
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$100/ month for Suites/ Honors/ International/ Seahawk Village/ Seahawk Landing and Apartment Resident Assistants; $125/ month for Belk/ Graham/ Hewlett/ Galloway/ Schwartz (The differences in pay reflect the differences in the prices of the different residential areas.)
- Returning Resident Assistants receive a $25.00/month raise
The Office of Housing and Residence Life (HRL) at UNC Wilmington employs a staff of 68 students as Resident Assistants. The Resident Assistant’s primary mission is to be available in the residence halls to assist other students. Major areas of responsibility emphasized are community building, programming, peer helping, policy enforcement and administration. Please refer to the enclosed position description for detailed information.
Consideration for Selection
Recognizing that the primary role of a helping person in an academic community is an educational one, the following considerations are critical in the selection of a Resident Assistant:
Attitude that conveys a positive regard towards the department of Housing and Residence Life and the university and works cooperatively towards a successful program.
- Ability in communication, leadership, teamwork, creativity and academic achievement.
- Administrative skills for the completion of paperwork and related details associated with residence hall management.
- Interest in personal growth and enthusiasm for participating in staff development activities.
- Willingness to assume responsibility in the development of an effective living environment.
Growth as a Staff Member
Resident Assistants are provided with special training throughout the year to make them more effective in this position as well as providing considerable opportunity for personal growth. The Resident Assistant's participation in training in March and April 2008 and in August of 2008, January 2009 and other in-service programs during the year is a firm requirement and is crucial to the smooth functioning of the halls. Other opportunities for growth as a staff member will be provided and participation encouraged.
Qualifications
Because of the demanding nature of the Resident Assistant position, the Office of Housing and Residence Life places the following stipulations on those hired as Resident Assistants:
- A 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
- No outside jobs without prior permission from their Residence Coordinator.
- All significant time commitments require the prior approval of the Residence Coordinator and Associate Director.
Examples include but are not limited to:
- Internships
- Student teaching
- Executive office in an organization
- Rush/pledging of a fraternity or sorority
A maximum load of 18 undergraduate or 12 graduate credit hours
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Take advantage of the interview workshop.
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Read the job description and Application Packet carefully so that you are very familiar with the position and its requirements.
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Spend time talking with current Resident Assistants about what their job entails. Ask an RA if you can accompany them on a duty round, or spend time with them when they are on duty.
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Schedule your interview as soon as you are contacted. Interview slots will fill up quickly. Try to get your appointment scheduled early.
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Try not to schedule your interview on a day that you have assignments or tests due. The added stress could affect your interview performance.
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Practice asking the questions you would like to pose to your interviewers.
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Get a good night of sleep the night before your interviews and eat balanced meals the day of your interview.
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Come up with a list of questions you think you might be asked to answer, and have your friends help you practice.
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Most important: BE YOURSELF! The purpose of the interview is so that you and the Housing and Residence Life staff can get to know one another better. It is difficult to do that if you are pretending to be something that you are not.
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Dress neatly and professionally for your interviews.
Resume and Interviewing Skills Workshops
As a part of the Resident Assistant selection process, the resume and interview steps are essential to a successful candidate’s participation. As a means of helping individuals gain support in accomplishing these steps we highly suggest you make an individual appointment with the staff in the Career Center. They will be very pleased to help you. The Office also provides a drop-off service where you can have your resume critiqued within 48 hours. For further information contact the Career Center at 962-3174.
The Office of Housing & Residence Life
Non-Discrimination Statement
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is committed to and will provide equal educational and employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, age, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for state-funded employee benefit programs. Questions regarding program access may be directed to the Compliance Officer, UNCW Chancellor’s Office, 910.962.3000, Fax 910.962.3483.
UNCW residence halls allow all students the opportunity to become actively involved in campus life. The Office of Housing and Residence Life provides a variety of programs and activities in and around the residence halls to enhance students' total educational experience. All of the residence halls are accessible in that they have elevators and adapted restrooms. Further, entrances to all buildings are either ramp-accessible or located on the ground floor. The first floor of each residence hall has all the services that are available on higher-level floors to allow students with disabilities equal access to services. The Suites and University Apartments have some first-floor units that have been designed to accommodate students with disabilities. For further information, contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life at (910) 962-3241.
