EASTERN NAZARENE COLLEGE Office of Student Development

RESIDENT ASSISTANT JOB OVERVIEW

General Responsibility: The Resident Assistant (RA) is a student appointed to serve as an extension of the Office of Student Development, to which he/she bears certain professional responsibilities. When performing the responsibilities required, the RA will assume different roles including that of an administrator, Christian leader, counselor, policy enforcer, programmer, and team member. Period of Appointment: The Resident Assistants appointed term begins with meetings during the spring semester of hire and extends through the next academic year to final student move-out after commencement on Monday, May 6, 2013. Fall training and semester meetings and training in-services are mandatory. Accountability: Resident Assistants are directly accountable to their Resident Directors (RD). Qualifications: Applicants must: be a sophomore, junior, or senior during the 2012 2013 academic year. have a cumulative grade point average of 2.7. carry 12 to 18 credit hours. commit to serve for at least the 2012 -2013 academic year. give this position a high priority. demonstrate qualities of leadership, character, and Christian maturity. be willing to work for ENC. have genuine interest in working with and serving students. not have any outside commitments (jobs, theatre, etc.) over 10 hours per week. be completely comfortable with the codes and ideals of the college. be on the meal plan for the entire year. Responsibilities: A. Administrative Details 1. Assist the RD with the following: maintenance work orders, room changes, opening and closing of residence halls, safety and sanitation room inspections, room condition reports. 2. Provide in-house coverage at least once per week. The coverage will be defined by the RD and take place in a designated location within respective buildings. 3. Conduct at least two floor meetings per semester, one at the beginning of each term. 4. Promptly report any illnesses, undue absences, or unusual behavior to the RD. 5. Aid in the proper evacuation of the residence halls in an emergency. 6. Know what steps to take to address emergencies. 7. Complete weekly reports and submit to the RD. 8. Provide weekly coverage for Open House. Christian Leadership 1. Be a committed Christian. 2. Model a Christian lifestyle. 3. Attempt to help other residents gain a deeper understanding of the Christian commitment. Listening and Support 1. Develop relationships with all students on the floor and learn names quickly.

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Meet with all residents on your floor within the first 3 weeks of classes. Spend time with each student on the floor in a casual manner and on a regular basis. Be available and visible (reach out to all students on their turf). Mediate roommate and interpersonal conflicts. Provide support to students on matters relating to academic, personal, social, and spiritual concerns. However, the RA should always bear in mind his/her limitations in the area of counseling and guidance. Refer students who are in need of special help to appropriate college services (Student Development Staff, Brickley Center). It is not the RAs role to conduct individual therapy. Maintain confidentiality in all situations. Be sensitive and respond to personal needs and concerns. Detection of individual maladjustment or potential maladjustment is considered one of the RAs vital responsibilities.

D.

Policy Accountability 1. Supervise student conduct within his/her assigned residence hall floor area, within the residence hall and throughout the campus. 2. Follow, understand, interpret, and enforce ENC policies and regulations at all times. 3. Maintain good study conditions by enforcing quiet hours so that the individual student may derive the utmost from his/her study hours. 4. Promptly discuss all potential problems and violations of college policy with the RD or Director of Residential Life. 5. Respect the privacy of the individual in his/her room as much as possible. 6. Monitor visitors/guests on the floor. 7. Manage freshman sign-in. Programming/Community Development 1. Conduct at least two floor activities each month. 2. Achieve at least one Meaningful Conversation each week. 3. Motivate others in the hall to assist in the planning and implementation of residence hall activities. 2. Attend and support floor residence hall functions and maintain a positive and supportive attitude toward campus community development. 3. Encourage the development of community spirit through programming, bulletin boards, door decorations, etc., always motivating floor residents to assist. 4. Be open to utilizing available resources and training programs. Willingness to explore a variety of programming is also expected.

E.

F. Academic encouragement/networking 1. Strive for personal academic excellence. 2. Be aware of students on the floor who are struggling academically. 3. Be knowledgeable of where to send students for academic help. 4. Be intentionally informed about residents academic progress. G. Team Participation 1. Participate in all in-service meetings. 2. Participate in all RA meetings--staff meetings within the residence hall, as well as Student Development general staff meetings. 3. Develop and maintain open communications and working relationships with all Student Development staff members (Associate Dean, Residential Director, RDs and other RAs). 4. Support all Student Development staff members and assist them whenever needed.

* RA training is tentatively scheduled for Aug 19 through Aug 25, 2012. ** The schedule for RA meetings and in-service is being developed and will be ready during training week.