What You Do
Whether through listening to, chatting with, mediating conflicts between, or connecting residents to campus resources, RAs do this to help maintain a respectful, inclusive residential community
What is "Supporting Residents"?
When an RA helps a homesick resident feel more connected by listening and referring them to a campus resource or organization, they’re fulfilling this part of their role.
What is "Peer Advisor and Support"?
Used to document incidents and/or policy violations
What is the "Incident Report Form"?
Fact or Myth: RAs are primarily just rule enforcers
Myth: While RAs do uphold policies, most of the work centers around student support and community building.
A resident tells you they're feeling overwhelmed and lonely during their first week on campus.
What should be your first priority?
Listen, provide support, and connect them with appropriate campus resources.
Activities hosted in hall with the intention to educate, engage, and/or create connections among residents
What is the "Engage Framework" and/or "hosting events / programs"?
When an RA facilitates programs / events that support the Engage Framework, hosts dialogue around issues that invites students to express diverse points of view, and/or promotes student learning / development, they are fulfilling this part of the RA Role.
What is "Educator"?
Used to track the activities, incidents, and other important information for a designated time period (usually 8 PM - 8 AM)
What is the "Duty Log" located in "The Form"?
Fact or Myth: RAs alone are responsible for resolving roommate conflicts
Myth: While RAs may be asked to talk with residents and/or assist in mediation, the HF and CA can (and often should) assist!
Two roommates disagree about overnight guests.
What is the RA's role?
Facilitate conversation and Consent of roommates is needed before overnight guests stay.
Involves engaging with residents and ensuring the physical safety of the building through rounds, reporting issues, and being a visible presence in the community during a designated time period (usually 8- 8)
What is "Duty" or "On Call"?
When an RA represents the university's values by serving as a role model, upholds and confronts violations of university policy, and upholds a commitment to fostering an inclusive community, they're fulfilling this part of the RA Role.
What is "University Citizen"?
Used by RAs to reflect on past events
What is the "Engage Experiences Form" within "The Form"?
Fact or Myth: Being an RA requires being "on" all the time.
Myth: While there may be times like this feels like a fact (ex: o-week), it's imperative that RAs set boundaries and prioritize self-care to sustain themselves in the role.
While on duty you notice a maintenance issue that is not an emergency. What should you do?
submit a service request and mention in duty log
Intentional practice that helps build trust, provide individualized support, and allows others to share concerns in a low-pressure setting. Typically hosted by your supervisors but also done with residents at least once a semester.
What are "1:1s" or "Check Ins"?
When an RA submits an incident report, completes a duty log, attends scheduled 1:1s & staff meetings, and hangs up their posters, they are fulfilling this part of the RA Role
What is "Administrator"?
How RAs communicate that they need something to be bought for an upcoming event
What is the "Purchasing Request Form" located in "The Form"?
Fact or Myth: The day-to-day life an RA is basically the same in every residential community
Myth: The building's physical spaces, dynamics, student populations, and team structures all vary meaning the role may vary. While the basics will remain the same, things like how often you serve on-duty/call may vary.
A resident repeatedly attends programs but never speaks with anyone.
What is an appropriate way to intentionally engage this resident?
Initiate a one-on-one conversation, learn about their interests, introduce them to other residents (programs, go to campus events, etc), and continue building the relationship through intentional follow-up.
Through the Engage framework, conversations, passive engagement, and restorative practices, all of ResEd works toward this overarching goal that helps residents feel valued, seen, heard, and belong.
What is "Fostering / Building Community"?
This is demonstrated when an RA addresses a noise complaint, talks with the resident about how their actions are impacting the community, documents the interaction in the duty log, and continues to role model respectful communication throughout the process.
What is "Peer Advisor & Support, Educator, University Citizen, & Administrator" or "All 4 Roles"?
Used to record meals purchased with the RA/CA Dining Card
What is the "ResEd On-Campus Meal Tracking Form" located in the LinkTree?
Fact or Myth: While on-duty/call, RAs need to stay in their residential community
Fact: While being the one on-call/on-duty, the RA needs to be available within their residential community for emergencies and resident needs.
A resident approaches you with a situation that you're unsure how to handle. What is the best next step?
Actively listen and provide support and consult your CA/HF . (remember it is okay to tell your residents that you will get back to them)