Resident assistant

From Free net encyclopedia

A Resident Assistant (commonly shortened to "RA") is a trained student leader, within a college or university, charged with supervising typically less-senior students living in a residence hall. Many schools have different terminologies for this position; the more frequently used also include "Student Assistant", "Community Advisor", "Resident Advisor", "Residence Hall Assistant", and "House Fellow". The RA selection and training processes, while varying from college to college, are usually quite rigorous and intense.

Commonly RAs are the most direct liaisons between a school's student affairs administration and its student body. Tangible benefits of the RA position are generally intended as means of improving/increasing the RA's ability to identify and address the needs of their residents, as well as a way to compensate for the increased responsibility and demands on time that the RA agrees to accept by virtue of the position. These benefits vary greatly from institution to institution, and may include a single residence hall room (for assured privacy when counseling other students), parking permits, financial compensation/stipends, meal-plan, and/or significant discounts on room-rate (including full compensation). Arguably more important are the intangible benefits of the RA position, which include training in crisis-managemnt, negotiation and advocacy, advertising, time-management, etc. RAs are often prepared, by virtue of the demands of their position, to make successful transitions from the college environment to the job market, since they can demonstrate leadership training, management skills, and community involvement as part of their collegiate experience.

Typically RAs are assigned "duty" periods during which they must patrol a residence hall or campus area to ensure that any maintenance or facilities-related issues are addressed, that institutional policies are being observed, and generally to ensure that the residence hall is an environment supportive of the educational pursuits of the students. An RA is also expected to be available to offer support for students encountering issues such as roommate conflicts, depression, and alcohol or drug abuse on a day-to-day basis.

RAs often are required to plan and facilitate events (often called Programs) for the residents in order to enhance the living community within the hall. These programs can take almost any form, ranging from community service projects, to social events such as watching movies, to educational programs where a topic is explored or a skill (eg: cooking, laundry, time-managment, etc.) is taught. These programs are usually designed to build community between residents, help resident develop academic skills, hone leadership skills, or simply encourage personal growth and understanding in a particular area. In some cases, RAs are required to be trained in CPR and respond to medical emergencies. RAs at some schools have also been known to respond to violent confrontations between students. At other universities, RAs are not allowed to physically touch students due to legal ramifications, these responsibilites of RAs differ on a case-by-case basis.

RAs are often stereotyped as "goody-goodies," "killjoys," "the dorm police," or "sellouts," among other things, as they are generally required to enforce unpopular policies, especially those involving alcohol, and abstain from breaking these policies themselves (see drinking culture). This is not always the case and many are simply average students who have chosen to accept a hightened degree of responsibility for the well-being of the college environment.

Note that the above applies mostly to North American institutions. At least one university in the UK has started to use this term instead of "sub-wardens", however the job has much less focus on improvement of student life and is more so that the site keeps 'ticking over' when staff are not present, ie nights and weekends.

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