Being a Resident Assistant

The resident assistant (RA) position provides students the opportunity to be leaders and role models on an assigned floor, in a residence hall community on the campus of North Carolina Central University. RAs are expected to help develop a residential community that fosters collaboration, accountability, responsibility, service and leadership. In order to achieve this goal, RAs are expected to initiate relationships with residents, encourage participation in floor and hall programs, and ensure that residents understand and abide by University policies.

In order to maintain RA status, applicants must meet the following qualifications from application submission until the end of employment:

1. Maintain full-time enrollment status with a minimum of 12 but no more than 18 credit hours per semester without prior approval from the Associate Director of Residential Life
2. Maintain a 2.70 cumulative and semester grade point average or above per semester
3. Be and remain in good standing with the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
4. Pass online training
5. Complete a housing application and be registered for the Fall 2024 academic year

Each RA is expected to dedicate 20 hours per week to the RA role, with additional hours expected during residence hall openings and closings. RAs may also be required to remain on campus and work during special weekends, including, but not limited to, finals week, RA Selection Week, Homecoming, and major athletic events. RAs are trusted with a wide array of responsibilities. Listed below are examples of the type of responsibilities and expectations for RAs at North Carolina Central University. This is not an exhaustive list.

RAs must be available from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays for staff meetings or development during the Fall and Spring semesters. Any exceptions need to be approved by the associate director of Residential Life. RAs will be allowed (but not guaranteed) a maximum of 5 days off per month. Days may be taken as individual days or weekends (2 max) per month. Days may not be taken off during blackout periods, including opening, closing, and homecoming. Requests for individual days or weekends off must be submitted in writing 72 hours prior to the absence and pre-approved by the graduate hall coordinator before leave can be taken.

Team Member and University Representative:

• Serve as a valued member of the team by treating others with respect and working to uphold the mission, vision, and values of the University and Department.
• Serve as a positive and professional University and Department representative.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and sensitivity with all student information.
• Maintain an understanding of University and Department policies and procedures by reviewing the NCCU Student Code of Conduct, Community Standards Guide, and online websites.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with all members of the residential community, including housekeeping and maintenance staff.
• Maintain a high level of ethical standards and always display a positive attitude.
• Maintain a high level of communication with their supervisor.
• Provide exceptional customer service to all residents, especially during periods of opening (August and January), closing (December and May) and any room changes that happen throughout the year.
• Provide constructive feedback to increase student satisfaction with the on-campus residential experience.

Community Builder, Programmer and Educator:

• Assist residents in adjusting to the living area and campus community.
• Maintain a high level of visibility and availability to the residents of the floor and building.
• Build positive and long-lasting relationships with residents through frequent personal contact.
• Act as an information resource on the floor and in the residence hall.
• Encourage residents to become acquainted with and care about others in their community.
• Plan social, educational, and informal programs and bulletin boards that adhere to the needs of the residents in the community.
• Create a community that is open and inclusive to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, ability, gender, sexual orientation, or age.
• Develop and utilize skills to work with diverse student populations.
• Promote sensitivity for and appreciation of differing perspectives and identities.
• Become a social change agent in order to support and advocate for students of diverse backgrounds.
• Appropriately confront and address all bias-related incidents and comments in the community.

Academic and Student Success:

• Support the academic mission of the University and actively role model behaviors that lead to student success.
• Foster residents’ involvement in Living and Learning Communities and other academic programs and services.
• Create a floor/residential community conducive to academic success and studying (e.g., enforce quiet/courtesy hours, encourage study groups and maintain community/study hours).
• Engage in academic success interventions and intentional one-on-one conversations with residents consistent with departmental requirements and learning outcomes.
• Understand and know university academic support services/resources and refer residents when necessary.
• Identify and aid residents with academic needs.
• Provide opportunities for residents to interact with faculty members.

Crisis Manager and Policy Enforcer:

• Participate in duty coverage in your residence hall.
• Maintain the safety and security of the assigned residence hall and report concerns to a supervisor.
• Address crisis situations in accordance with established policies, procedures, and confidentiality standards.
• Assist residents with conflicts, facilitate roommate mediations, and encourage conflict resolution.
• Serve as a mandatory reporter and Campus Security Authority (CSA).
• Hold students accountable to the University conduct code and the Residence Hall Guide for Student Living.
• Respond to and accurately document policy violations in a fair, professional, and consistent manner.
• Respond to any situation needing attention, even if “off duty” or in another residence hall.

Student Leader:

• Act as a positive role model for your residents, the Department, and the University both on and off campus.
• Attend all meetings and trainings scheduled by the graduate hall director/area coordinator (GHD/AC) and/or the Department.
• Promote the development of leaders in your community through encouragement to be involved on campus.
• Encourage resident participation in the Hall Council and the Residence Hall Association (RHA).
• Empower others to be responsible and engaged citizens in the community.
• Develop strong sense of time management, including how to successfully integrate academic, professional, and social responsibilities.

Administrator:

• Maintain 3 office hours per week at the security desk in your residence hall.
• Perform administrative duties in a thorough and timely manner, including, but not limited to, occupancy reports, damage billing, surveys, and reporting of maintenance issues.
• Assist with health and safety room inspections.
• Participate in RA selection, trainings, in-services, meetings, and other departmental initiatives as assigned.
• Update the GHD/AC of any concerns and/or issues on their floor or in the building in a timely, accurate, and professional manner. This includes, but is not limited to, roommate conflict, challenging residents, inappropriate behavior, etc.
• Check emails frequently and respond promptly (twice a day: morning and evening).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

RAs will receive a stipend as described above. The stipend will be broken down into equal monthly payments disbursed on the last business day of each month in accordance with the NCCU Payroll schedule. Each RA also receives housing in a single room in their designated residence hall. It is important to note that this no-cost housing factors into any financial aid package the student receives and could affect the disbursement of funds. RAs are required to purchase a meal plan in accordance with the University rules and regulations.

RAs may seek outside employment opportunities, either on or off campus, only after getting approval from their graduate hall director and/or area coordinator. Outside employment will be limited to no more than 15 hours/week. RAs may run for high-ranking student government positions (with the exception of student body president, student body vice-president, and Mr. and Miss North Carolina Central University) or pledge Greek organizations during their initial semester of employment but must remember that the RA position is viewed as their first responsibility after academics. RA employment at NCCU is “employment at will.” This means that RAs can resign from their position at any time for any reason and that NCCU may also terminate employment at any time for any reason.

In the case of a campus emergency, RAs may be asked to stay on campus to maintain a presence in their assigned building and to help communicate important emergency information to their residents. The executive director of Residential Life or a designee will make the determination as to whether RA staff should vacate campus during a campus emergency. When unexpected emergency campus situations occur, including inclement and hazardous weather conditions, comply with all instructions given by their supervisor and University officials. Given the nature of the RA position, on occasion, additional responsibilities not explicitly outlined may be asked of RAs. As these situations occur, resident assistants may be asked to assist with other duties as deemed necessary by the Department of Residential Life.

For candidates interested in our hiring process for the Fall 2024 Semester, please refer to the following dates and times:

New candidates are required to attend one (1) RA information session in order to be eligible for hire.

Apply now for the 2024–2025 academic year!

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