RA Role
What are your Duty Responsibilities? (List at least 3)
- Building Rounds
- Arrive on time for duty and remain available
- Attending assigned office hours
- Respond to resident concerns
- Inspect common areas for safety concerns, lockouts, policy violations, emergencies, or crisis situations
- Report maintenance concerns
- Wear nametag while on duty and maintain a clean, welcoming office area
- Prioritize assisting residents over homework, personal work, or social activities while on duty
What process is used to help RAs intentionally connect with their residents?
Care Reports
These should encourage residents to engage with the information while enhancing the appearance of the community...
Bulletin Boards
What are the Dry Buildings?
- Clinton
- Slife
- Vollmer
What are Quiet Hours?
Sunday-Thursday: 11:00pm-8:00am
Friday-Saturday: 1:00am-8:00am
List your Administrative Responsibilities...
- Complete assigned reports, paperwork, and tasks accurately and on time
- Assist with student check-in, check-out, room inspections, lockouts, and residence hall openings and closings
- Report maintenance concerns and facility issues promptly
- Post Residential Life communications and informational materials in a timely manner
What procedure requires you as an RA to avoid opinions or assumptions, and document only what you observed or what was reported to you?
Incident Reports
How can you set community standards as the RA?
- Clearly communicate Residence Life policies and expectations
- Encourage residents to resolve conflicts respectfully
- Address concerns early before they escalate
- Hold residents accountable in a fair and consistent manner
- Foster an environment where everyone feels respected and included
What does Wet Buildings mean?
Residents who are 21 years or older may possess and consume alcohol if:
- everyone present is at least 21 years old
- alcohol remains inside the resident's room or suite
- the gathering is not disruptive to the community
- no admission fee is charged
- drinking games are not taking place
What should you do if you smell a Marijuana Odor?
Do not knock on the door or confront residents, contact campus security immediately.
What is expected for Professional Development as an RA?
- Attend all required training sessions, staff meetings, one-on-one meetings, mentor meetings, and other departmental meetings
- Participate actively in staff discussions and professional development opportunities
- Accept feedback and continually work toward personal and professional growth
What is included in the Duty Log after every shift?
- Names of RA's
- Time of arrival
- First Time of Rounds & Notes
- Second Time of Rounds & Notes
- Third Time of Rounds & Notes
- Lockouts and Checkouts
What should you consider when planning programs?
- Base programs on residents interests, needs, and feedback
- Offer educational, social, wellness, and community-building opportunities
- Encourage interaction and participation rather than passive attendance
- Partner with campus departments or other RAs
- Use resident feedback to improve future events
What is the Medical Amnesty Policy?
A student seeking medical help for themselves or another person will not face disciplinary action for the sole violation of alcohol or drug policies, provided they:
- act in good faith
- cooperate with college officials
What animals are allowed in Residence Halls?
- Fish
- Axolotls
Other:
- Approved Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)
- Service Animals
What does Community Development mean in the Resident Assistant Role?
- Build meaningful relationships with every resident by learning their names, interests, goals, and individual needs
- Foster an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming community where every student feels valued
- Hold open-door hours and conduct intentional conversations with residents
- Plan and implement educational, social, and community-building programs
- Encourage resident involvement in campus events, organizations, and Residence Life initiatives
- If the issue involves bodily fluids or prevents residents from safely using a bathroom or other essential space over the weekend
How can you build connections and relationships with your residents?
- Learn residents' names and preferred pronouns
- Check in regularly throughout the semester
- Be visible and approachable in your community
- Celebrate accomplishments and milestones
- Notice when residents seem isolated or struggling
- Follow up after meaningful conversations or concerns
- Encourage residents to build relationships with one another and become involved on campus
What are the ABC's of Confrontation?
A- Announce: introduce yourself and identify yourself as the RA on Duty
B- Because: explain why you are addressing the situation and what policy is being violated
C- Clarify: ask questions to better understand the situation and gather necessary information
D- Decide: determine the appropriate course of action based on Residential Life policies
E- Execute: carry out the appropriate response while remaining calm, respectful, and professional
F- Follow-up: complete any required documentation and communicate with professional staff as needed
What items are Permitted with Restrictions?
- Air fryers, crockpots, toasters, and similar appliances may only be used in designated kitchen areas
- Candles are permitted with a warmer if they have never been burned
- Decorative alcohol containers are permitted only for residents 21+
What do the following fall under for the Resident Assistant Role?
- Serve as a resource, mentor, and first point of contact for residents
- Listen actively to resident concerns and make appropriate referrals to campus resources when needed
- Respond appropriately to emergencies, crisis's, and student concerns
- Address policy violations consistently, fairly, and professionally
- Complete incident reports and other required documentation accurately and promptly
- Maintain confidentiality while following departmental reporting expectations
- Consult with professional staff whenever situations require additional guidance or intervention
Resident Support & Behavior Management
When should an Incident Report be submitted?
- Policy violations
- Damaged college property
- Violence, threats, or safety concerns
- Police or Campus Security involvement
- Any incident that requires Residential Life follow-up or documentation
What are examples of community development?
- Building Relationships
- Community Programming
- Door Decorations
- Bulletin Boards
- Setting Community Standards
What is the General Response Procedures?
- Enter the space and visually assess the situation
- Eliminate distractions whenever possible
- Collect the Wartburg ID of everyone present
- Do not chase or follow residents who leave the area
What are the additional community policies?
- window screens must remain installed
- residence hall furniture must stay in student rooms
- hallway sports and throwing objects inside buildings are prohibited
- stolen road signs, traffic signs, and similar property may not be displayed
- students should never climb onto roofs or elevated areas
- lofts are only permitted in designated residence halls and must be rented through the College's approved vendor