Resident Assistant PositionDescription Updated: February 9, 2016

The Resident Assistant is a staff member of Residential Education appointed for one academic year. The Resident Assistant, working with the Residence Hall Coordinators (RHCs) and the Resident Faculty Leaders (RFLs), the Division of Student Affairs, and the University is responsible for meeting the goals of ResidentialEducation:

Establish an integrated academic and residential learningexperience

  • CreateaclimateandculturewithintheResidentialLearningCommunitieswhichare conducivetoacademicsuccess
  • Personalize the first year studentexperience
  • Provide clear expectations to students regarding academicachievement
  • Provide clear expectations to students regarding community standards in the Residential LearningCommunities
  • Encourage high quality faculty, staff and student interaction in all Residential Learning Communities
  • Promote safety and security within the Residential LearningCommunities
  • Createaframeworkforthedevelopmentoflife-longlearningskills
  • Fosterthedevelopmentofcriticalthinkingskills
  • Encourage and support student involvement andleadership
  • Encourage responsible decision making andaccountability
  • Encourage healthy choices and personalwell-being
  • AssisttheUniversityinrecruitingandretainingqualitystudents,faculty,andstaff

PRIMARYFUNCTIONS

1.)Providepersonalhelpandassistancetoresidents

The RA is often the first person a student approaches when questions or problems arise. In addition the RA is frequently in a position to observe or gain information fromothers.

The RAwill:

A.Become well acquainted with and knowledgeable about each resident and their academic and social progress at theUniversity.

B.Initiate contacts with residents who appear to need support, or contact students at the direction of the Residence Hall Coordinator and/or the Resident Faculty Leader.

C.Be available and accessible tostudents.

2.)Promotethegrowthanddevelopmentofstudents.

The RA is instrumental in contributing to the sense of community and the promotion of the residence halls as Residential Learning Communities. Residence hall programming serves as an important element in the learning experience and development of college students. Providing effective programmatic experiences has been shown to increase student satisfaction with the livingenvironment.

The RAwill:

A.Plan and participate in programs and activities for their residents with the Resident Faculty Leader and the Residence Hall Coordinator. Encourage and participate in activities which promote greater unity among residents and contribute to a sense of community andbelonging

B.Organize a minimum of one floor program (either social, community, or academic) for the residents on his/her floor in each of the following months: September, October, November, January, February, March, andApril.

C.Support Welcome Week activities and programs (i.e. Festival of Ideas, WVU Up AllNight,trips,etc.)asdeterminedbytheResidenceHallCoordinator

D.Helptosupportandfacilitatethefirst-yearexperiencefortheirresidents.

E.Attend one hall council meeting during the months of September, October, November, January, February, March, and April and advertise and support Hall Councilevents.

F.Be a positive rolemodel.

G.Promote and support Office of Residential Education activities and programs and the Resident Faculty Leader’s vision for thehall

3.)Manageandfacilitategroups.

Much of the RA’s time and effort is spent leading and working with groups of students on a residence hall floor. RAs play a formal leadership role when organizing programs or conducting floor meetings. At other times, the RA may choose to lead informally by assisting students in the process of organizingthemselves.

The RAwill:

A.Hold floor meetings to discuss program plans, explain policies, address issues and group concerns, promote Hall Council and other hall-wide activities. Encourage and support group activities on the floor, between other floors, and between other halls/RLCs (e.g. intramuralsports).

B.Hold floor meetings every 2 weeks during the fall semester and once a month during the springsemester.

C.Provide leadership by displaying enthusiasm and a positive attitude toward activities in the Residential LearningCommunity.

4.)Maintainanorderlyandreasonablyquietenvironment.

The residence hall serves as a student’s home; consequently, the RA is expected to work with students to create and maintain a responsible living environment to ensure the well-being of all residents. It is essential that the RA helps to ensure a studious atmosphere while taking into consideration other students’ needs. In addition, the RA should strive for student responsibility to maintain personal security and the safety of thecommunity.

The RAwill:

A.Explain residence hall emergencyprocedures.

B.Encourage group responsibility for the safety of theresidents.

C.Enlist all residents in maintaining quiet hours and other conditions to achieve a responsible and clean livingenvironment.

5.)Explainandenforcerulesandregulations.

It is necessary to have policies and procedures to provide guidelines for appropriate behavior; thus, the RA is expected to acquaint students with their responsibility to each other and the Residential Learning Community. In addition, the RA must enforce University and/or Residential Education rules and regulations to ensure equal opportunities for students to mature and succeed academically andpersonally.

The RAwill:

A.Adhere to federal and state laws and the rules and regulation of the University and ResidentialEducation.

B.Know and support University and/or residence hall rules and regulations and be able to explain why they are educationally advantageous to students as necessary.

C.Explain and interpret University and/or residence hall rules and regulations to students, and enforce all residence hall policies in a fair and objectivemanner.

D.Document all violations and participate as required in the student conduct system.

E.Maintain confidentiality in all student personal (including academic and conduct) matters.

6.)Keepstudentsinformedand,whennecessary,directthemtoappropriatereferralsources.

As a University employee, the RA is expected to be knowledgeable about the campus, its facilities, special programs, services, and overall referralprocedures.

The RAwill:

A.Be readily accessible to students and accepting of their questions, particularly during times of the year that generate many concerns (registration, selectionof room assignments, final exams,etc.)

B.Befamiliarwithcampuspersonnel,resources,andprocedures.

C.Be aware of changes in available services and resources oncampus.

D.Read and post all information of interest tostudents.

E.Design and create bulletin boards and doordecorations.

F.Post all pertinent information in a timelymanner.

DAILYOPERATIONS

Each hall will be staffed each night with the duty RA and a reasonable number of staff members, to be determined by the Residence HallCoordinator.

RAs:

A.Are allowed one weekend off during the following months: September, October, November, January, February, March, and April. RAs are responsible for requesting and reporting weekend absences to their Residence Hall Coordinator. Prior approval must be granted by theRHC.

B.Are allowed 1 night off each week during the following months: September, October, November, January, February, March, and April. In addition RAs will be permitted one night off during the last full week of August provided it is not the first week of classes. Prior approval must be granted by theRHC.

C.In addition RA’s are allowed 2 extra nights off during each of the following months: September, October, November, January, February, March, and April. Prior approval must be granted by theRHC.

D.Are permitted to combine a weekend off with a night off and thus take 3 nights off; however, extended time-off (i.e. more than 3 days) is not guaranteed: the Residence Hall Coordinator must approve this inadvance.

E.Must be in their assigned residence hall before midnight Sunday through Thursday and by 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and remain there until 6:00 a.m. (Reasonable short trips to specific hall commons areas are allowed: e.g. designated smoking areas. The Lyon’s Den for the ERC,etc.)

F.Will accept special staffing duty as necessary (i.e. selected football games, weekends before finals, days when the University is closed due to weather or other emergencies, etc.)

G.Must attend and participate in Fall Training and mid-yeartraining.

H.Must attend and participate in all staffmeetings.

I.Will be responsible for weeknight duty, weekend duty, weekends where special coverage is deemed necessary, and hall openings andclosings.

J.Must be available through the end of each semester for closing of the residence hall. (RAsshouldplanonnotleavingcampusuntilafulldayaftersemesterhallclosing.)

K.Work the desk in their respective hall or complex approximately 4-6 hours per week. Also, RAs will be responsible for working the desk approximately 10 hours every third or fourthweekend.

L.Must participate in selected opening week and other special activities – Welcome Week (i.e. University Welcome, Faculty Academy), FallFest, Campus Cup,etc,.

M.Will be required to be on duty and in-hall on openingweekend.

N.Write and record work orders promptly andaccurately.

O.Communicate with custodians about problems concerning cleanliness/maintenance on floor.

P.Complete all paperwork promptly and accurately in accordance with the request of the Residence HallCoordinator.

Q.Keep the Residence Hall Coordinator informed of floor activities, problems, concerns and general flooratmosphere.

R.Assume other responsibilities as designated by the Residence Hall Coordinator in order to promoteanenvironmentconducivetostudentdevelopmentandacademicsuccess.

S.Assume responsibility for reading and understanding information in the RAManual.

T.Mustcheckstaffmailbox,voicemail,andemailmessagestwicedaily.

U.WillcompleteotherdutiesasassignedbytheOfficeofResidentialEducation.

V.Graduate RAs will be assigned additional responsibilities (advisor to hall council, student conduct board, web page maintenance,etc.)

Note: A Resident Assistant is expected to abide by residence hall policies and exhibit professional conduct at all times in the residence hall. For example, alcohol use is not permitted in the residence halls. Furthermore, at no time is a staff member to abuse alcohol or be impaired to perform their job responsibilities even if the alcohol use occurred off campus and/or if the staff member is of legal age to consume alcoholic beverages. A single incident may be grounds for immediate dismissal. Please refer to the training materials describing the types of behaviors that can proveproblematic.

REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENT ASSISTANTPOSITION

1.RAs must maintain a minimum 2.75 undergraduate cumulative grade point average anda

3.0 graduate cumulative grade point average at the time of assumption of duties as a Resident Assistant, with preferences given to those applicants with a 3.0 undergraduate and 3.25 graduate grade point averages. (For RAs enrolled in Law School a GPA of 2.0 is acceptable.)

2.If at any time a RA falls below a 2.75 cumulative grade point average (undergraduate) or below a 3.0 for a graduate RA, his/her retention will be based on an individual counseling session with the Residence Hall Coordinator. Each RA should receive at least a 2.75 undergraduate GPA and a 3.0 graduate GPA each semester. (For RAs enrolled in Law School a GPA of 2.0 is acceptable.) If one or both of these scenarios exist, a decision will be made which is in the best academic interest of the student during their employment period with Residential Education and the needs of residents. If a cumulative grade point average or semester grade point average falls below 2.75 undergraduate or a 3.0 graduate, the RA will enter into a probation status. A RA should not be on academic probation with Residential Education for more than two consecutivesemesters.

3.Candidates may not be considered for the position if they are not in good standing with the Office of Residential Education or have received disciplinary sanctions from the Office of StudentConduct.

4.RAs must be enrolled as full-time students. RAs wishing to take credits outside these parameters may do so only after consultation with and approval by their Residence Hall Coordinator. A RA may have only one semester below full-time during his/her employment period with ResidentialEducation.

5.RAs who have student teaching or other internship assignments need to be aware of the unique time demands and scheduling difficulties involved with fulfilling both responsibilities. The RA’s decision to accept student teaching, counseling, and/or other internships should be discussed with the Residence Hall Coordinator prior to signing the employmentagreement.

6.RAs must serve in the residence hall assigned. In the event that the residence hall has configuration changes, Residential Education reserves the right to reassign the staff to otherresponsibilitiescommensuratewithRAroomandboardsalaryequivalents.

7.If a RA is terminated by Residential Education, he/she is not allowed to live in the hall in which he/she wasemployed.

8.If a RA terminates his/her employment, does not renew their appointment, or is terminated by Residential Education, he/she is subject to the policies identified in the housing contract concerning refunds, forfeitures, and repayments. A RA’s room assignmentandroomandboardwaiversendwhentheRAisnolongeranRA.

9.RAs must be at least 18 years old at the time of application,. be at least a second year student, and have at least 29 credithours.

SPECIALNOTES

Because of the unique and specialized nature and responsibilities of the RA position, an individual accepting this role must be prepared to commit time and energy to performing the expectations to the best of his/herability.

1.RAs may only be employed in part-time jobs, if it is financially necessary. Such employment may not exceed ten hours per week. All RAs who desire additional employment must submit a request in writing and receive approval from their Residence Hall Coordinator before starting anotherjob.

2.RAs may enroll in internships/practicums (i.e., co-op, business), not to exceed ten hours perweek.

3.Graduate RAs can work a maximum of 100 hours per semester outside of their regular RA duties andresponsibilities.

4.RAs may participate in one varsity athletic program during the academic year. Varsity athletes must participate in the fall, mid-year, and on-going training programs.

5.RAs may not pledge social and academic fraternities or sororities during their first semester as a staffmember.

6.RAs may not hold elected positions in Hall Council or theResidence Hall Association.

STAFF EVALUATIONDISCIPLINE/TERMINATION

PerformanceAppraisals

Resident Assistants are appointed for the period for one academic year and report directly to the Residence Hall Coordinator. Their Residence Hall Coordinator will evaluate them during the fall semester and during the spring semester. RAs may re- apply during the fall semester for the following year. Retention and re-appointment is based upon the RA’s contribution to the goals of performance in all aspects of the Resident Assistantposition.

StaffDeficiencies

The following criteria outlines conditions which, if committed by a Resident Assistant, are consideredseriousenoughtowarrantdisciplinaryactionorterminationfromtheRAposition.

1.Behavior resulting in a felonyconviction.

2.Behaviors resulting in a misdemeanor conviction that casts reasonable doubt on the likelihood of satisfactory jobperformance.

3.Violation of residence hall and/or University policies and regulations. (Please refer to the special note contained following thissection.)

4.Illegal possession or use ofdrugs.

5.Acts of negligence or incompetence that cast reasonable doubt on the likelihood of jobperformance.

6.Misuse of officialkeys.

7.Failure to show progress in meeting expectations as outlined in writing by the Residence HallCoordinator.

8.Refusal to comply with reasonable, legitimate and specific direction from the Residence Hall Coordinator with regard to responsibilities expressed or implied in the jobdescription.

9.Behavior that can be reasonably considered to be seriously damaging to the ability of the University to meet its contractualresponsibilities.

Note: A Resident Assistant is expected to exercise good judgment. For example, alcohol use is not permitted in the residence halls. Furthermore, at no time is a staff member to abuse alcohol or be impaired to perform their job responsibilities even if the alcohol use occurred off campus and/or if the staff member is of legal age to consume alcoholic beverages. It is to the discretion of the Residence Hall Coordinator to decide if a RA has not used good judgment or has severely failed the mission and goals of residential education on an incident-by-incident basis. A single incident may be grounds for immediatedismissal.

Disciplinary Action/TerminationProcedures

1.RAs will be made aware of conditions that would lead to employee disciplinary action or termination. Signing the RA Employment Agreement constitutes an understanding and acceptance of theseconditions.

2.RAs will be informed of any decision by their supervisor that results in employee disciplinary action ortermination.

3.Correspondence will outline the circumstance(s) or behavior(s), which led to employee disciplinary action ortermination.

4.RAs who are terminated may appeal such a decision to the Director of ResidentialEducation.

5.A RA who wishes to appeal must submit a written appeal within two class days of employment terminationnotice.

6.The appealing RA will schedule a meeting with the Director of Residential Education.

7.Appealswillbeconsideredonlyifoneorbothofthefollowingcriteriaaremet:

1)New information that was unavailable at the time of termination can be presentedand

2)Established procedures were notfollowed.

8.The appeal meeting with the Director of Residential Education will serve as the final appeal for termination of student staff. Written notification outlining the decision reached in the appeal meeting will be sent to theappealing.

Note:RAswhoareterminatedorreassignwillberequiredtoreturntheirstaffshirt.