What does an RA do?

1. What does an RA do?

-RA stands for Resident Assistant. The purpose of an RA is to be the first line of defense for any student. Students may come to an RA for help in many areas ranging from, boyfriend/girlfriend issues, roommate conflicts, dorm hall issues, campus wide issues, to any other student problems. Resident Assistants are meant to be mentors and friends to anyone in need. RA's must complete six programs each semester; two health and wellness programs such as alcohol awareness or roommate conflict strategies, two social programs such as attending a sharks game or playing flag football in the quad, and two programs of your choice. This is just a small part of what RA's do, for more information, be sure to check out the RA application forms coming out some time in March 2010.

2. What kind of compensation do you get for being an RA?

-An RA receives free room and board for their work. This means RA's get to live in a dorm room absolutely free of cost as well as being able to eat in the cafeteria at every meal free of charge.

            3. What is the hardest part about being an RA?

-Typically the most challenging part is learning to separate friendships and work that must be done. RA's must confront and treat each situation fairly regardless of whether or not the person or persons involved in the situation are the RA's friend.

            4. What is the best part about being an RA?

-There are many perks to being an RA. RA's get a chance to exercise and enhance many skills such as, people skills, project management skills, conflict management skills, event planning, time management, critical thinking etc. By the end of an RA's career, an elaborate and extensive resume should have been built. Being an RA, one meets so many people and gains so many friendships.

            5. What can be done to improve my chances of becoming an RA?

-Being involved is extremely important. Obviously just because you are involved does not mean you have the RA job in the bag, but the more your face is seen around campus, the more you are recognized as a hard, and honest worker, the better chance you will have at landing that RA position. To be an RA students must show great character, be hard workers, stay out of trouble, be able to lead as well as follow, listen, learn, and most of all care.

If you follow these tips, you might just find yourself attending the summer RA training session this upcoming summer!