Residential Life

The Resident Advisor (RA) works closely with the Hall Director and the Director of College Housing to create a residential community, which encourage the academic, personal, and social growth of each individual resident.

The RA experiences opportunities for personal growth as a programmer, advisor, and administrator. To be successful in the position, the RA must make a serious commitment of time and energy to both the training sessions and the work with residents. Specific duties include but are not limited to:

Spring/Fall RA Training

Duty

In office from 5pm -10pm , Monday to Sunday
In office from 10pm – 2am, Thursday – Saturday only
Rounds
On call in room

Programming

Programming monthly to be decided upon by Hall Director.
Actively work to develop a sense of unity and camaraderie among the residents to enhance the community in which residents can have fun and learn from one another.
Assist residents and Hall Council develop and implement programs.
Encourage residents to participate in programs sponsored by Residential Life, Student Affairs, and the SUNYIT community.
Follow the programming procedures established during RA training.
Survey (formal and informal) residents to discover issues of interest for students.
Consult with RA’s and professional staff to receive guidance and support with the planning and implementation of programming concepts.
Participate in Open House, Opening Weekend, Closing, and other campus-wide events as requested.
Actively participate in one of the committees sponsored by Residential Life (RA Selection, RA Training & Development, License Review, Room Selection, etc.)

Community Building

Organize and coordinate building meetings.
Build a rapport with each resident based on friendship, consistency, confidence, and mutual respect.
Interact daily with residents: eat meals together, be a visible part of the daily life of your residents.
Consult with the professional staff about residents who might need peer support or professional mental or physical health referrals.
Be sensitive to the interaction between residents in your buildings.
Actively encourage residents to come for guidance and support.

Hall Council

Attendance and active participation
Encourage residents to participate and voice their opinion

Meetings

Staff meeting once a week
One-on-one meeting with Hall Director bi-weekly
Hall Council meeting bi-weekly
Committee work as arranged
In-service training as required

Discipline/Crisis Management

First respondent
Immediate and accurate documentation of all incidents.
Immediately inform the Directors on call about emergencies. Contact emergency personnel as appropriate.
Familiarize residents with SUNYIT fire safety procedures.
Inform residents about procedures to obtain help during an emergency.
Be familiar with SUNYIT emergency procedures.
Be familiar with SUNYIT support staff and services.
Inform all residents formally about policies: SUNYIT, Utica, State, and Federal.
Consistently enforce policies: clarify as necessary.
Teach residents the fundamental requirements for community: respect for the rights of all people, respect for the SUNYIT Code of Conduct.
Actively work to create an atmosphere in which residents are responsible for their own behavior.
Inform your director of all policy infractions.

Peer Counseling

Encourage residents to: be attentive to each other’s needs; learn compromise techniques; encourage each other.
Be aware of issues of concern for your residents and for all students.
Be sensitive to the interaction between residents in your area.

Administrative Duties

Check-in assistance and check-out assistance
Complete occupancy checks when assigned
Complete Room Condition Reports (RCR) for each resident
Report damage/maintenance concerns appropriately
Complete incident reports immediately
Report intruders or crimes against residents to University Police immediately

Staff Expectations

Participate in training sessions as assigned
Participate in weekly duty schedule and meetings as assigned
Hold building meetings as assigned
Inform residents about issues pertaining to Residential Life as requested
Attend Student Affairs events as requested
Be on time
Establish/cultivate open communication with the Hall Director and the Director of College Housing regarding campus life.
Consider the Residence Halls your “home”, and reside in the room assigned to you.
Participate/perform other duties related to Residence Life as requested.
Be willing to represent resident student opinions based on information your resident provide to you.
Always accompany persons to locked or limited access areas (never loan keys or card access).

Benefits of Position

Single room for the academic year
Stipend $250 per semester toward meal plan
Training throughout the year
Development of interpersonal and problem solving skills.