University of Michigan - Flint

University of Michigan-Flint

Position description – what is an RA?

Resident Advisor Job Description

Introduction

The Resident Advisor position is essential to the success of the students in the residence hall.  The staff in Housing and Residential Life will be committed to an educational approach in order to provide for the most meaningful experience for our residents.  One of the key responsibilities of an RA is that of a community builder. Community Building means getting to know your residents and other staff members, both individually and collectively, by investing time and energy into activities and events that will help facilitate the development of positive and meaningful relationships. The Community Development Model is in place to assist staff with:

  1. Getting to know residents;
  2. Helping residents get to know each other;
  3. Assessing and addressing the needs of residents; and
  4. Encouraging residents to take ownership for the community.

 

In addition, as a residence hall staff, we are dedicated to:

  • Effectively serving and working with residence hall students, staff and faculty of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints
  • Encouraging students to take responsibility and challenge themselves to grow, and to support each other’s growth
  • Providing a safe environment – one that promotes both physical and emotional well-being
  • Providing linkage and access to services both within and beyond Housing
  • Supporting the academic and educational mission of the University by providing opportunities for learning within and beyond the classroom – bringing learning into the living environment
  • Working toward a common vision and aspirations for the quality of life of the residence hall community.

 

RAs are responsible for assisting the students on their corridor, floor and throughout the building. They are directly supervised by the Hall Director (HD).


Time Commitment
20 hours per week

Responsibilities

  • Modeling a commitment to multiculturalism by creating and fostering a community in which all the individuals are respected, while continuing to educate both residents and staff members on issues of social identity and multiculturalism.
  • Building multicultural community in the residence hall by participating and encouraging casual social interaction, planning and implementing social and educational programming, and demonstrating consistent availability and accessibility to residents.
  • Responding immediately to acts of intolerance or hate in our community.
  • Being a listening ear to residents in the community and helping them find their own solutions to difficulties and concerns while also helping them find and access other campus resources.
  • Being engaged and active in Move-in and Welcome activities and helping residents become familiar with the Flint campus.
  • Being a role model in all ways – academically, socially, educationally and as a leader in multicultural community building.
  • Be attentive to and report all health and safety concerns in the residence hall.
  • Provide continuous interaction and example which encourages students to act with reason, to assume responsibility for their actions, and to be consistently considerate of the rights and freedoms of others.
  • Develop and promote a positive working relationship with all residence hall staff including, other RAs, HD, front desk staff, custodial staff, dining staff, etc.
  • Meeting on-duty responsibilities as designated by the HD, and attending mandatory weekly staff meetings.
  • Enforcing the community living standards by confronting and documenting violations, while modeling personal behavior that is consistent with the community living standards, Students Rights Policy, and all state and federal laws.
  • Advising, counseling, and responding to crisis situations, and informing the Hall Director or other resources when appropriate. Keep all sensitive information confidential.
  • Support the custodial and maintenance staff by operating from a framework of “leave everywhere cleaner than we found it”.
  • Support the dining service and staff by eating with residents, and providing consistent and constructive feedback to assist in continuing to develop the dining experience.  Also, confront any inappropriate behavior in the dining environment.
  • Living-learning and/or specialty floor RAs may have additional or unique responsibilities.

 

Compensation

100% Room and Board

Contact Information:

Jeanine Bessette
Office of Housing and Residential Life
jbessett@umflint.edu
810-237-6571
UCEN 375