RESIDENT ASSISTANT TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT Department of Residence Life and Housing
Ritchie Hall 119
Akron, OH 44325-1401
(330)972-7800 The Resident Assistant Staff are paraprofessional graduate and undergraduate members of the Department of Residence Life and Housing. Resident Assistants report directly to their Residence Life Coordinators and are responsible for establishing and maintaining an atmosphere which will promote the educational, social, cultural and personal development of residents. The Resident Assistant must project a sense of caring and concern for each resident. The following terms of employment explain the qualifications for and requirements of students employed as Resident Assistants at The University of Akron.
Qualifications
- Enroll and successfully complete twelve (12) academic credits at The University of Akron. Graduate student Resident Assistants are required to enroll in and complete nine (9) academic credits. Courses must be taken for letter grade.
- Maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average and a 2.5 semester grade point average.
- Maintain good conduct standing with The University of Akron, as discerned by the Associate Director of Residence Life and Housing.
- Applicants must have completed one (1) semester as a fully-enrolled student at The University of Akron or any other institution of higher education.
- Must hold a Residence Life and Housing Contract throughout the term of employment.
Successful Candidates Successful candidates will demonstrate the following skills throughout the selection process:
- Self-discipline.
- Interest in the lives of individual residents, their feelings, needs and rights.
- Commitment to the full development of students' academic pursuits and personal growth in and out of the classroom.
- Commitment to the mission and vision of the Department of Residence Life and Housing at The University of Akron as explained by Residence Life Coordinators.
- Effective leadership.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Sense of self-awareness.
- Strong role model.
Period of Employment The period of employment will be announced through the Department of Residence Life and Housing and is for one academic year. All candidates must reapply if they wish to return as a Resident Assistant the following year. All Resident Assistants are required to assist in the opening and closing of the halls for each academic term and for vacation periods. This requires returning to campus approximately two weeks prior to Fall Semester and remaining until the residents leave for vacation periods (i.e. Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring breaks) and at the end of the Spring Semester when students leave at the conclusion of the academic year.Resident Assistants are permitted six (6) nights or three (3) weekends per semester off campus. The time must be arranged in advance with the Residence Life Coordinator. Restrictions will be made on special weekends as deemed appropriate by the Associate Director. A weekend is defined as extending from Friday noon to 6:00 p.m. Sunday. No more than half of the staff in any hall will be permitted to leave on a given weekend. Remuneration Resident Assistants are provided room as compensation from Fall training through Spring hall closing. Resident Assistant staff, hired to work during vacation periods, may be compensated on a per diem basis. These employment opportunities are limited; it is unlikely we will be able to accommodate all requests. Room is not provided during academic calendar vacation periods for those who are not working during those vacation periods. Resident Assistants will be assigned to a staff room. In all probability, the staff room will be a single; however, the Department reserves the right to assign a roommate as needed.Please note that accepting a Resident Assistant position may affect Financial Aid status. Meals Board plans are provided for Resident Assistants as an aid to facilitate community growth and development. The Board plan is provided so Resident Assistants can eat with members of their floor, hall and campus community. Time Commitments Resident Assistants will be expected to devote the time necessary to fulfill their obligations to the position. This includes specific staff duty assignments, weekly staff meetings, in-service training and significant time on the wing/floor and one-on-one meetings. Course Load - Undergraduate Resident Assistants must carry a mininimum of twelve (12) and no more than eighteen (18) hours per semester. Graduate student Resident Assistants must carry a minimum of nine (9) and no more than thirteen (13) hours per semester. Resident Assistants demonstrating strong academic performance may petition, in writing, the Residence Life Coordinator for permission to take additional courses.Meeting Time - Resident Assistants must reserve 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Monday evenings for building staff meetings, in-service and committee meetings which may be held during this period.Additional Work / Co-Curricular Activities - The Resident Assistant position requires both significant time and energy. We encourage our staff to be active in leadership opportunities across campus; however, we do limit Resident Assistant involvement in student organizations as well as employment in on-campus and off-campus jobs. Resident Assistants may petition, in writing, the Residence Life Coordinator for permission for additional employment. This employment and leadership commitments should not exceed fifteen (15) hours each week. Approval will be based on need, previous performance and time involved in the work request. If approved, these responsibilities must not interfere with the performance of the Resident Assistant function and are subject to review by the Resident Life Coordinator.Student Teaching / Cooperative Education - First-time Resident Assistants are not permitted to student teach, hold internship and/or cooperative education assignments during the employment period. Returning Resident Assistants may request to student teach or hold an internship within the City of Akron. These petitions will be reviewed by the Residence Life Coordinator and Associate Director of Residence Life and Housing on an individual basis.All petitions that deviate from these time comitments must be approved by the Associate Director of Residence Life and Housing in consultation with the appropriate Residence Life Coordinator. Financial need, previous employment performance and required time involved in successful completion of both the Resident Assistant position and additional responsibilities will be weighed before decisions are rendered. Resident Assistants must have exhibited the highest sustained level of performance to be successful in petitions. Academic Performance Resident Assistant grades are checked at the end of each semester and summer session. All staff must maintain a 2.50 cumulative and semester grade point average. If either grade point average falls below this requirement, Resident Assistants will be placed on academic probation and will be referred to the Associate Director of Residence Life and Housing to determine eligibility for continued employment.Resident Assistants whose grade point averages fall sharply between semesters may be removed from their position until they have demonstrated sustained academic recovery. Although the Department of Residence Life and Housing will contact faculty throughout the semester to solicit academic progress reports, it is the responsibility of each individual Resident Assistant to track and manage their own academic success. |
