Resident Assistant (RA) Application
2016 – 2017
#LeadSouth
MISSION STATEMENT
The University of South Alabama department of Housing & Dining is committed to
providing safe, reasonably priced, well maintained residence halls and interacting with
students in a courteous and efficient manner. We endeavor to support the academic
mission of the University by creating purposeful residential communities that are
conducive to the academic and personal success of students.
www.southalabama.edu/housing
PAGE 1 OF 6
#LEADSOUTH
2016-2017 RA Recruitment
#LeadSouth
RA Qualifications
Currently enrolled at the University of South Alabama
Minimum of 2.50 cumulative GPA
Have completed at least 12 semester hours by May 2016
Must have or be willing to sign a housing contract with the $150 pre-payment of file, if offered employment
RA Job Description
The Resident Assistant (RA) within Housing & Dining is a live-in position that requires the RA to reside in his/her
community of responsibility. The RA is responsible for a residential community ranging from 20 to 80 residents. The
RA works under the immediate direction of a Community Director.
The major responsibilities of the RA include: building & establishing community; developing positive relationships
with residents; helping establish and maintain a healthy residential environment conducive to academic and personal
growth; assisting in the disciplinary procedure as necessary; implementing University and Housing & Dining policies
and assisting with empowering students to meet their individual needs/goals.
RA Expectations
Be willing to commit for the entire academic year - Fall and Spring semesters
Commit to return to campus prior to Fall/Spring Check-In for all training and/or workshops
Recognize that the RA position is your primary out-of-class obligation
Enroll in at least 12 credit hours each semester of employment
Specific RA Duties
Remain on campus after semester exams for administrative responsibilities
Serve as the on-call staff member for a residential area throughout the semester and holiday breaks as scheduled
Commit to less than 15 hours of extracurricular activities and/or work per week each semester
Demonstrate the characteristics of an RA servant-leader
Facilitate community success by encouraging programming efforts and resident engagement in the residential
community and on campus
Uphold and educate residents about the procedures and policies of Housing & Dining
Serve as a resource to residents
Assist with emergency situations
Report and follow-up with maintenance concerns
Be available and present for your residents as needed
Assist in the opening and closing procedures of the building as necessary
Serve as a liaison and advocate to the residential community
Plan, promote & implement programs as directed by supervisor and support other programs by personal attendance
Support the Residence Hall Association (RHA) & National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH)
Communicate campus information as needed
Attend all area staff meetings, training, workshops and all USA sponsored events as scheduled
Perform other duties as assigned
RA Compensation
RA compensation includes a private residence hall room, unlimited laundry, cable, internet (w/ wireless routers with
the exception of Greek houses), campus post office box and the All Access Jag Pass w ith $150 bonus Bucks, valued
at an average cost of $8,130.00 per academic year.
For more information, please attend one of our “required” Interest Sessions or email jericajones@southalabama.edu
PAGE 2 OF 6
#LEADSOUTH
Application Checklist:
____ Completed RA application
____ Completed Background Check form
____ Attended 1 interest session (required)
____ Attached a resume (required)
Resident Assistant (RA) Application
**Please type your responses, if possible**
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Name (First, Middle, Last) ________________________________________ Jag # ________________
Date of Birth ___________________________ Telephone # _______________________________
Email Address (JagMail only) __________________________________________________________
Housing Assignment (if applicable) __________________________ # of yrs on campus ___________
Home Address ___________________________________________________________________
II. EDUCATION
Present Classification: (Check One)
____ Freshman
____ Sophomore
____ Junior
____ Senior
____ Graduate
Major _____________________________________ Minor _______________________________
Total Hours Completed _____________
Hours Currently Taking __________
Fall 2015 Semester GPA _____________
Cumulative GPA _______________
Do you anticipate having to complete a semester of student teaching, nursing clinicals,internship,
studying aboard, and/or professional component?
______Yes _______No
If yes, what semester/year? ______________
Anticipated Semester/Year of Graduation________________________
III. EMPLOYMENT
List all current/previous work experience in reverse chronological order beginning with your most recent
position first. You may attach a resume with your application.
Employer
Job Title
Dates
Are you currently employed? ____Yes ____No
If yes, where? ____________________________
# of hours worked per week __________
PAGE 3 OF 6
#LEADSOUTH
IV. SHORT ESSAY QUESTIONS
**Please attach any additional page(s) used needed to complete your application**
1. Describe your understanding of the RA position. Why are you applying to be a RA?
2. What are the major advantages of living in a residence hall? How does and RA contribute to the
student’s overall residential experience?
3. Describe a time when you were apart of a team. What was your role? What were the challenges and/or
successes of being apart of that team?
4. What does diversity mean to you? How do you communicate this to others around you?
5. Considering that we expect our RAs to pritorize their RA position after their classes, how would your
other commitments (campus organizations, work, etc.) be impacted by the RA job if you were offered
the position? How would you ensure you are balancing all your commitments while still priotizing the
RA position?
PAGE 4 OF 6
#LEADSOUTH
V. STUDENT/COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONAL INVOLVEMENT
List any current/ previous campus, student or community organizations you have been apart of. Please include
your role, any offices held and the dates of your involvement.
Organization Name
Position/Title
Dates
VII. REFERENCES
List two (2) references below, with the understanding that a member of the Residence Life Team may contact
these individuals. Relatives may not be used as a reference.
Name (First, Last)
Position &
Company
Telephone
Number
Nature of
Relationship
Best Time to
Contact
VIII. COMMUNITY PREFERENCE
Check which student population you would want to work with. Check all that apply.
____ Freshman
____ Transfer
____ Upperclassmen
Check which community you would want to work in. Check all that apply.
____ Epsilon
____ Delta
____ Beta/Gamma
____ Stokes Hall
____ New Hall
____ No preference
I hereby authorize investigation of all statements made in this employment application. I further certify that the
information provided in the above application is true, accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
Signature______________________________________________Date ______________________
Note: The University of South Alabama may, as part of its employment process, obtain a consumer report (i.e.
employment verification, education verification, criminal history, motor vehicle report, or credit history) on you
and that your employment will depend on the satisfactory outcome of this investigation.
The included Prospective Employee Agreement (next page) must be returned with your application.
PAGE 5 OF 6
#LEADSOUTH
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE AGREEMENT
I,___________________________________________________________________________,
First
Middle
Last
(Social Security Number* ________ - _____ - ________), understand that the University of South
Alabama may, as part of its employment process, obtain a consumer report (i.e. employment
verification, education verification, criminal history, government sanctioning, debarment, or exclusion,
motor vehicle report, or credit history) on me and that my employment will depend on the
satisfactory outcome of this investigation. I understand that I have the right to request disclosure of
the nature, scope, and results of the investigation from:
National Application Processing & Screening, Inc.
P.O. Box 590
Bessemer, AL 35021
(205) 425-6277
I further understand that if any potentially adverse action is taken, based in whole or in part on the
information contained in this report, the University will provide a copy of this report to me.
You ___ are ___ are not authorized to check references with my current employer.
___
Permanent Address
*Date of Birth
City, State, Zip
________________________
County
___
Signature
Date
* Disclosure of Social Security Number and Date of Birth is not required by any statute of law and is voluntary
on your part. This information will be used to establish positive identity only. Failure to disclose your Social
Security Number or Date of Birth will not, in any way, affect your status as an applicant.
The University of South Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion,
sex, national origin, disability, disabled veteran, or Vietnam-Era status.
IMPORTANT:
Please choose 1 of the following 2 options to submit your completed RA Application Packet
1. Return your application to Epsilon 1 Community Office (M-F, 8AM – 8PM)
2. Email your scanned application to jericajones@southalabama.edu (ATTN: RA Selection)
PAGE 6 OF 6
#LEADSOUTH