Community Adviser (CA) Position Description
(UPDATED 11.19.2015)
General function and scope of responsibility
CAs are student staff members living on each floor within the residence halls. CAs promote individual success through community
development on the floors ranging from 45 – 70 residents. They are responsible for attending training, opening and closing the halls,
serving as desk receptionists, programming for student development and wellness needs of residents, advising floor government,
providing information on campus and community resources, serving as a contact and referral source for student concerns, hall
security, student conduct observation, intervention and reporting.
Duties and responsibilities
Academic mission support
• Assist in the development of an academic environment and communicate academic support services to students
• Model academic interests and appropriate study skills
• Be aware of and communicate academic support services available to students
• Talk with students regularly pertaining to their academic and career development progress
Wellness lifestyle support
• Model a wellness lifestyle and teach students about the seven dimensions of wellness: social, physical, emotional, career,
intellectual, environmental and spiritual (SPECIES)
• Assist students in understanding how personal lifestyle choices affect the floor communities health
Programming
• Plan, develop and initiate social and educational programs, as specified by the residence hall director (RHD)
• Assess residents’ needs for educational programming
• Assist other staff, including the RHD, in formulating residence hall programming strategies
• Encourage student ideas and student involvement
• Encourage and support hall activities and programming
• Attend hall activities and events
• Support your hall government through your involvement in their meetings and programs
• Hold floor meetings regularly or when assigned
Administration
• Complete room inventories for student rooms
• Report problems, initiate and follow maintenance request through to completion
• Assist in staff selection, as requested by the RHD
• Work the hall front desk four (4) hours per week
• Assist in the facilitation of room changes and single room assignments
• Perform room inspections and follow check-in/check-out procedures as assigned
• Maintain inventory of common area furnishings
• Maintain open and frequent communication with the RHD
• Attend all weekly meetings scheduled by the RHD (one-on-ones, staff meetings, etc.)
Dealing with inappropriate behavior
• Confront individuals or groups violating state, university or residence hall rules, regulations or policies and report individuals
according to procedures established by the university and the RHD
• Enforce all rules, regulations and policies with consistency and fairness
• Be able to provide residents with rationale for state, university and residence hall rules, regulations, and procedures including
disciplinary procedures
• Serve in an oversight capacity in university dining rooms and other areas
• Role-model appropriate behavior and enforce the above-mentioned policies with consistency and fairness
• Perform duty/rounds as scheduled by the desk manager (DM) or RHD; duty occurs about two- three weeknights and two
weekends per month
Development of staff relations
• Participate openly and honestly in communication with the RHD, the DM, other CAs and other designated staff
• Participate actively in meetings, training and other activities
• Communicate regularly with the RHD about programming plans and resident concerns
• Function as a team member with the housing staff to solve mutual concerns
• Offer input concerning processes and procedures
• Support the decisions of the department of Residential Living, the RHD and other staff
• Maintain confidentiality regarding job-related information and relationships with staff
• Convey accurate information related to decisions, policies and actions of other staff
• Work with and support maintenance staff and explain their functions to the residents
Facilitation of community development
• Help students adjust to the residence hall and university
• Strive to establish and maintain an open relationship with individuals on your floor and in your hall
• Work with students to maintain the rights and privacy of all residents
• Encourage and support students in their involvement in residence hall government, programming, and campus activities
• Encourage academic achievement among residents and help them to comprehend its importance to the development of
community on the wing, in the hall and on the campus
• Advise the house (floor) government
Additional responsibilities
• Additional responsibilities may be assigned by the RHD to help meet the needs of your hall. These responsibilities constitute part
of your employment agreement.
• All CAs are Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) making it a requirement to report all criminal incidents and/or other public
safety related incidents to the proper campus authorities
• CAs are also mandatory reporters for all suspicions of abuse or sexual misconduct under Title IX
Conditions of employment
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Maintain the conditions of this position for the duration of the academic year
Upon applying, must be in at least your second semester of residence hall living or related experience
Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. If your semester GPA is 1.50 or lower, your contract may be rescinded.
Carry no more than sixteen (16) credits, unless you receive prior approval from your RHD
May not participate in time-intensive academic coursework while a staff member where you would be in session almost the entire
day, every day. Such examples include -- but are not limited -- to student teaching, “block 3” program for elementary education
majors, early childhood integrated curriculum program, secondary education English majors, law enforcement program at
Mid-State Technical College and some internships. The following are acceptable education courses to hold while a staff member,
but need to be discussed with your supervisor: exceptional education block 3 and secondary and K-12 majors (except English).
Give the community adviser position priority over all other activities except academics
Must get approval from RHD before committing to any major extracurricular activities, including officer positions and
intercollegiate athletics. Some athletic and extracurricular program schedules work better than others while being a staff member.
We try our best to accommodate individuals; however, your staff position is expected to be the priority.
Forego all other employment, unless granted permission from your RHD. If approved, additional employment is limited to a
maximum of eight (8) hours per week. Outside employment is discouraged, especially in the first semester as a staff member.
Be in good conduct standing with the university at the time the contract begins and have no further conduct incidents after the
contract is signed. Employment will require a criminal background check.
Model positive behaviors appropriate to the university community and behave in a manner consistent with all the rules and
regulations expected of all students and employees of UW-Stevens Point
Must fulfill individual hall requirements, including: programming, duty, desk, meetings and ongoing training set by the RHD
Live in the residence hall assigned whenever the university is in session
Return to your residence hall prior to the fall and winter semesters to participate in staff training programs, assist in the
orientation of students to the residence hall, and be on-campus the weekend when hall opens
Must be able to return by the date specified prior to re-opening after any vacation period (Thanksgiving break, winter break and
spring break)
Remain on-campus, in the residence hall, for closed weekends – which includes the opening weekend each semester and the
weekend before final exams in the spring semester. Also remain in the hall after it has closed each semester to assist with closing
procedures.
Some residence halls remain open during Thanksgiving break, winter break and spring break. During each of these periods, two
staff in each open hall will be on-duty. You may be required to work one of the break periods and staff who do will receive
additional compensation.
Compensation
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Waiver of each year's room prepayment
Waiver of each semester’s fees for a double room and the 200 meal plan
Updated June 2014
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Stipend of $350 per semester for your first and second semesters of service; stipend increases to $400 per semester after the
second semester of service as a CA
Updated June 2014