That's a Boundary!
An RA texts you on your personal phone at midnight to ask for help planning their program. What boundary could be being tested?
Time/Availability - Workplace communication
A D.A. messages you during office hours and says "Hey, I forgot to sign off on my shift task, could you mark that off for me while you're there?" What kind of boundary is involved?
Accountability - a limit or line you set to define what you are responsible for and what you are not.
True or False: It's okay to hang out casually with RAs?
True, but depends on context.
True or False: You should explain the "why" when reinforcing a boundary.
True - it builds understanding and trust.
True or False: You should respond to RA texts at all hours, even when you're not on duty, since you're seen as a leader.
False - time boundaries matter. You're a resource, not an emergency hotline.
An RA vents to you about another RA in the group chat. What boundary is this?
Professional communication/peer respect
You notice a pattern, one RA always gets someone else to cover their shift at the last minute. What's your role here as the ARC?
Track the pattern, communicate with the RC. Low-level accountability discussions are necessary.
You were close friends with an RA before becoming an ARC. How can you establish fairness?
Set expectations, treat all RAs equally in functional responsibilities, hold the same level of accountability for all staff.
Replace "Ugh, that's not my job, ask the R.C."
Multiple great answers could apply. Here is an example: "That's a better question for our RC - I don't have the authority to decide that."
What is the ARC's role in the duty rotation compared to RAs?
Equal participation within the community's on-call rotation.
An R.A. reaches out to you and says "Hey I think I want to get squishmallows for my event on Friday." It's currently Wednesday and your schedule is packed. - What boundary is being tested / What's a way to communicate this boundary?
Time / Availability
A D.A. repeatedly misses their mail audit. You've shown them how to do it twice already. What's being tested? What can be done to support this staff member?
Accountability Boundaries - following up to see what is confusing the staff member - need to established structured feedback routes - accountability logs - communicating with R.C.
The RA says "You're basically one of us - can you just not say anything to the RC?" What's the leadership boundary here?
Transparency and Trust with your RC, professional integrity over peer loyalty.
What is a professional boundary-setting phrase for off-hours texting.
Possible Example: "Happy to help during the day! I'll respond to messages during my scheduled hours."
True or False: ARCs can issue formal accountability sanctions to RAs.
False - not a supervisory role
An RA frequently shares trauma stories with you after staff meetings. What boundary is at risk?
Emotional boundary / referral line - It's great that you are someone that the R.A. feels they can confide in - but always remind yourself of your mandatory reporting obligations.
An RA leaves the desk an hour early without logging out or finishing tasks. When confronted they say "You've done that before too!" What's a professional response.
Stay grounded: reinforce expectations and clarify that modeling growth doesn’t mean perfection.
An RA asks if you want to go on a weekend trip. You're not on call. What should you consider before answering?
Appearance of favoritism, power dynamics, whether your other RAs might feel excluded.
Provide a phrase to support an RA venting about residents.
Example: "I hear this has been frustrating, let’s figure out what’s within your control, and if there’s something we need to loop the RC in on for support."
Name two administrative systems ARCs are expected to manage or assist with?
When to Work, Notifi, US Bank via URSA.
During a late-night crisis, an RA calls you repeatedly—even though you’re not on duty. You pick up out of concern, and they start asking you what to do. What’s the issue?
Time boundaries / redirecting to on-call staff
An RA asks you if you can approve a trade but that the person taking their shift would need to close the desk 30 minutes early. What should you do?
No trade is valid unless it is fully covered - support the process even under pressure.
You're dating someone on staff. What is the university's policy?
You must disclose the relationship to your supervisor so steps can be taken to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.
You need to say "no" to an R.A. that wants you to approve a shift that only a D.A. has offered to cover. What's a clear, kind way to say it?
Example: "I appreciate you checking in, but I can’t approve that since it goes against our scheduling policy as those are not paid shifts. Let’s see if we can find another option together."
You're asked to mediate an interpersonal RA conflict within the team that seems to be ongoing and emotional. What is your best next step?
Support them with active listening but refer the situation to your RC—ARCs do not need to be the sole mediators for staff dynamics.