Resident Adviser Position Description

2016-2017 Resident Adviser Position Description Housing and Residence Life Vision To create a "home away from home" where students are individually and collectively challenged and supported in the journey to become mature, contributing citizens in a global community. Housing and Residence Life Mission To provide a well-maintained, on-campus residential experience which supports the overall mission of Mississippi State University and the Division of Student Affairs, promotes a spirit of community, and extends student learning beyond the classroom. Academic/University Standard Qualifications A Resident Adviser candidate must have completed a minimum of one academic semester, have at least a 2.50 MSU cumulative GPA the semester of application, be in good conduct standing, have previously lived in a residence hall or had an equivalent experience, and have passed a criminal background check. Throughout the rest of this document, the acronym RA will be used to refer to the Resident Adviser. A current RA must comply with the following: Within your employment agreement it is stated that you are required to maintain a semester & cumulative GPA of 2.5. If a cumulative GPA ever reaches below a 2.5 it calls for an automatic release of the RA s position. If a semester GPA ever reaches below a 2.5 the RA is granted one probation while employed by the Department of Housing and Residence Life. If the RA has an additional semester below a 2.5, while employed in the department, it will call for an automatic release from their position. Throughout this document, the acronym RD is used to refer to the Residence Director assigned to the respective building a RA is assigned to. Leadership and Organizational Responsibilities 1. RAs are responsible for completing the assigned Operation Bulldog plan within the Hall Programming Model during the first 7 weeks after halls open for the fall semester. RAs are expected to learn details about their residents. 2. RAs are responsible for meeting with their residents periodically throughout the semester to assess the resident s growth and success as a student here at MSU. 3. RAs are responsible for completing all programming requirements as outlined by the Hall Programming Model (please see referenced model for details of expectations). 4. RAs mentor and coach residents. RAs encourage participation and campus leadership through dissemination of information and encouragement of residents attendance at meetings and events. 5. RAs mentor Council Of Residential Experiences (CORE) in planning, implementing, and publicizing events and activities in their residence hall, based on the Hall Programming Model. 6. RAs refer any counseling problems (personal, academic, or crisis-oriented) beyond their limitations to appropriate resources. This involves being aware of the resources available on campus in addition to the Housing and Residence Life staff. 7. RAs will demonstrate effective decision making, problem solving, and follow through skills. 8. RAs will serve on at least one departmental and/or building wide functional area as a part of their weekly responsibilities. Duty Responsibilities 1. RAs will be required to assist in duty coverage with other RAs in the building/area. During on-duty time, the RA is required to stay in their building except when doing holiday duty coverage in the buddy hall. Duty Shifts last 24 hours and

exceptions are made to leave for class during times the Housing Office is open. You may not serve on duty a night that you have a class. Any classes that begin after 5pm are considered a night class. 2. RAs will be required to assist in duty coverage for the following breaks and holidays including but not limited to: Labor Day, Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Spring Break, and Spring Holiday (Good Friday). Each building will be assigned a buddy hall and this break coverage must be determined between the two halls at the beginning of the fall semester. Group Facilitation Responsibilities 1. RAs must facilitate regular community gatherings. 2. RAs will mediate floor and roommate conflicts through established Community Standards and roommate agreements. 3. RAs will address misconduct and provide appropriate educational counseling for inappropriate actions. The RA should immediately report any unusual incidents or disturbances, including violations of University rules and regulations, to the RD even if the problem has been resolved. Administrative Responsibilities 1. RAs must perform certain administrative duties as deemed necessary by the RD. RAs are also responsible for the distribution of memos and check-in/check-out procedures, roommate agreements, weekly reports, health and safety inspections, survey administrations and other paperwork as assigned by a supervisor. 2. Writing Incident Reports is a duty of the RA. Situation Reports assist in keeping the RD informed of any problems or irregularities occurring on the RA s floor or in the building. Incident Reports need to be submitted online immediately following the incident or receiving information regarding an incident or issue with a student. 3. The RA keeps residents informed of University activities and policies through posted notices, hall meetings, and individual contact. 4. RAs must respond to maintenance issues and encourage residents to report individual problems online via the Fix It link at www.my.housing.msstate.edu. RAs must report possible vandalism or unresolved maintenance concerns to their RD immediately. 5. RAs serve as an ambassador for the University. All communication (electronic, voicemail, personal contact, guided tours, etc.) should be reflective of this role, presenting a positive and professional image of the University. Interpersonal Responsibilities 1. RAs serve in the capacity of an adviser, mentor, and counselor to residents. To do this, the RA must develop a personal relationship with residents on his or her floor. The RA shows interest and concern for each resident on a regular basis, and should encourage involvement on the floor, in the residence hall, and within campus-wide activities. 2. RAs must maintain a positive working relationship with all staff members in Housing and Residence Life, including, but not limited to, building, administrative, custodial, and maintenance staffs. RAs will report concerns and follow-up promptly with their supervisor. 3. RAs must communicate clearly and regularly with colleagues, residents, and supervisors. 4. RAs must role model and encourage appreciation of all diversity. 5. RAs will demonstrate sensitivity with respect to the privacy of students and student information. All information that RAs obtain, see, observe, hear, or become aware of should be treated confidential and shared with supervisors only. Confidentiality can only be kept if it does not involve harm to self or harm to others. Personal Success Responsibilities 1. RAs must report to the RD regularly, attend and actively participate in weekly staff meetings, on-going staff development activities, Resident Advisor Continuing Education sessions (RACE), training sessions, and programs. RAs will utilize 1:1 meeting time with their supervisors to report on hall/resident development and reflect on their experiences. 2. RAs will participate in all training sessions, RACE events, interview and recruitment processes, departmental/divisional events, and staff development activities provided by the Housing and Residence Life staff.

3. RAs participate in evaluations of their own performance, and the performance of the RD. 4. RAs will role model personal success by knowing, positively supporting, and abiding by all University and Housing policies and regulations. 5. RAs will demonstrate time management skills by turning paperwork in on time and contributing to staff meetings, one-onone meeting and other scheduled meetings. Time management should also be reflected in RAs academic work. Conditions of Employment 1. RAs serve as employees of Housing and Residence Life, the Division of Student Affairs and Mississippi State University. As such, RAs must support University and Housing rules and regulations in words and actions. 2. The period of employment begins with pre-semester training and concludes after the semester graduation at a date given by the Associate Director for Residence Life. Final paychecks may be delayed until all responsibilities are completed. RAs must arrive before the hall opening date of each semester to participate in all training workshops. The RA position is a oneacademic year agreement for the Fall hires and one academic semester agreement for Spring hires. 3. RAs are allotted 5 nights away per month during employment. Nights away are defined as nights spent outside of the residence hall and include weekends. Prior approval must be obtained from the supervisor before an RA uses a night away. 4. RAs may take 16 credit hours/semester during employment. Prior approval must be obtained from the Associate Director for Residence Life to register for more than 16 credit hours/semester. During the summer RA s must get approval from the Associate Director for Residence Life to take 2nd session summer school due to Leadership Training taking place during the majority of the 2nd summer session. 5. During the first semester as an RA, the RA agrees to accept no additional employment on or off campus. Additional employment must be an off campus position unless otherwise approved by the Associate Director for Residence Life. Up to 10 hours/week of outside employment may be allowed after the first semester if approved by the RA s RD, Area Coordinator and the Associate Director for Residence Life. After the first semester on staff, any employment or participation in activities, such as internships, joining a social organization or holding office in a club or organization, must be approved by the RD, Area Coordinator and Associate Director for Residence Life. RAs may not serve in an elected position with Residence Hall Association, CORE, or Student Association. 6. During the first semester of employment an RA may not join a fraternity or sorority. This includes going through a recruitment process in hopes of joining a fraternity or sorority. If an RA would like to go through a recruitment process to join a sorority or fraternity after their first semester of employment it must be approved by the RD, Area Coordinator and Associate Director for Residence Life. 7. An RA may not hold a position within NPHC, IFC, or Panhellenic as a recruitment worker, i.e. a Gamma Chi, during the Summer/Fall semester. 8. RAs will not be allowed to co-op or student teach while serving as an RA. 9. RAs will be assigned a furnished, single-occupancy room in their assigned building pending occupancy numbers for that academic semester. Though it is not desired for RAs to have roommates, we may have to temporarily or permanently assign some RAs roommates in order to house incoming students. RAs are required to commit to a 9-month residence hall contract and must adhere to the terms therein. The room charges stated in the contract will be waived for the duration of employment as an RA. Should such employment be terminated, the contract will revert to a contract for a general residence hall room and all charges will be the responsibility of the student. In some cases, an application fee may be required prior to assignment. 10. The RA will be required to cover desk duty, and/or office duty for a minimum of two hours per week and assist on a temporary basis at certain key times of the year (i.e. the time periods immediately before opening and after closing). This will involve remaining in the building until all residents vacate the area before the RA may leave for vacation periods and returning early to help open the building after vacation periods. RAs will not be allowed to work additional desk shifts for extra pay. 11. RAs accept responsibility for any equipment issued by the University during their employment and will replace or pay damages for loss of any item, including keys. RAs accept full responsibility for any keys they use in relation to the position. As outlined in the policy, master keys may only be used for official purposes directly related to job responsibilities. Upon termination of employment, the final paycheck may be delayed until all keys and materials are returned. 12. Job assignments may be changed by the Associate Director for Residence Life at any time during employment. Such changes would be made in the best interest of a working situation and/or individual.

13. The RA will participate in RA and RD staff selection as requested. 14. In the first full semester of employment, RAs are required to take the RA class; COE 4513 Paraprofessionals in Student Development. A grade of 80% is required for employment. Failure to successfully complete the requirements of the course may result in immediate dismissal. 15. The RA reports to the RD and assumes duties under the direct supervision of the RD. The RA is to cooperate with the RD to fulfill all duties listed and all other duties, which the RD or another member of the professional residence life staff may assign. 16. Renewal of this position is not automatic. Satisfactory performance evaluation by the supervisor, passing the RA class with at least 80% (if applicable), an application and interview process are required for an RA s reappointment. 17. It is required that a RA submit a RA Intent to Return every semester of employment. Dates available & the due date for this is subject to change every semester. However, if a RA does not submit an Intent to Return by the due date, the RA will automatically be released for the following semester. 18. Failure to perform duties as stated, failure to abide by policies, and misuse of authority of position may lead to immediate dismissal. 19. If a RA doesn t abide by their job responsibilities they are subject to the following behavioral model. However, each situation is unique and will be treated accordingly via what the Residence Director and Area Coordinator believe to be the appropriate step within the behavioral model. WARNING BEHAVIORAL CONTRACT PROBATION TERMINATION 20. Please be advised that a RA may only have one probation, either academic OR behavioral while employed within the Department of Housing and Residence Life. 21. We will not accept grade replacements as a way to boost your previous semester GPAs. Once you receive an academic probation period, that probation will always be in your file regardless of any extra classes in additional terms or grade replacements. 22. We will check Spring & Fall semester/cumulative GPAs for our academic year RAs. Summer School will not be allowed as a way to boost your cumulative GPA before Fall Training. Please be mindful that your Summer classes may have an effect on your cumulative GPA in the long run. Your cumulative GPA at the end of the Fall or Spring term is what is used in grade checks. If you are a Summer RA we will conduct grade checks as a part of your job responsibilities. 23. RA building placement is decided each year contingent upon needs of the building and what is best for both the student staff member and the Department of Housing and Residence Life. 24. If a RA is released from their position due to academics or they resign their position, that person is subject to one semester in between additional employment in the Department of Housing and Residence Life. If released from your RA position, you may not be rehired for a RA position but are eligible for alternate jobs in the department. If a RA is released from their position due to behavioral circumstances, the Area Coordinator and Associate Director for Residence Life may choose or not choose to hire that person for additional jobs within residence life based on the reasoning(s) they were released from their RA position. 25. It is the responsibility of the employee (RA) to abide by these stipulations. Please consider this your notification of possible probationary status due to your academic or behavioral performances. The Department of Housing and Residence Life has within its rights to release a RA from their position without notification of a probationary period of that RA. Hall Programming Model 2016-2017 Now that the excitement of the beginning of the semester has subsided, it is time to get down to business. The programming model below provides RAs with expectations concerning programming for residential development.

Expectations regarding this model are as follows: 2 Active Programs o 1 Hall Wide Program and 1 Floor Program, or 2 Floor Programs per month Hall Wide Programs only count if the RA participates in the program. 1 Passive Program (i.e. interactive or educational bulletin board) The hall programming model must be used for all programming (hall wide, floor, and passive) each semester. Spontaneous programming should occur throughout the entire academic year. It is important for floor community, but it does not count toward your programming requirement. Hall Programming Model: D - Diversity and Inclusion Interact with, include, and respect different experiences Relating to and empathizing with others Understand importance of serving one s community Accountability for how our actions influence the community environment Suggested Resources: HCDC, multicultural/religious/spiritual/lgbt, other student organizations, and The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion A - Academics Exercise proper study habits Utilize resources provided by library (research databases, think tank rooms, computer labs) Interact with faculty members and academic resources within the residence hall Suggested Resources: Academic Advising, Library, Pathfinders, Navigators, and Math Lab W Wellness Educate residents on importance of emotional and mental wellness Awareness of potential support groups (Counseling services, Community agencies) Promote healthy lifestyle Provide an open environment for an expression of spiritual wellness Suggested Resources: Health Education and Wellness, Counseling Center, Sanderson Center, Recreational Sports, and Campus Nutritionist G - Gaining Life Skills Engage residents in effective financial behaviors Career development Develop skills to assist in future success (i.e. Career Development Workshops, Learning to live independently and take responsibility for one s own actions and outcomes Suggested Resources: Career Center, Maroon Money Management, and Writing Center A helpful way to remember the hall programming model is to use the acronym or abbreviation listed below: D.A.W.G. Diversity and Inclusion Academics Wellness Gaining Life Skills (Please note that this is not the name of the hall programming model and should not be referred to as the D.A.W.G. Model. Housing and Residence Life only refers to residential development programs as the Hall Programming Model.)