RESIDENT ASSISTANT – ACADEMIC
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Department: Residence Services
Division: Student Affairs
Reports to: Residence Life Coordinators & Residence Life Team Leader
Updated: March 2016
POSITION PURPOSE:
The Resident Assistant – Academic (RA-A) provides opportunities and interactions centered around the academic
growth and development of student, as well as, leadership to their residence community.
KEY POSITION FUNCTIONS:
1. Academic Support and Student Success
- Launch, seek out and support initiatives that create and promote an academic atmosphere in residence
- Provide a range of workshops and residence-wide programming that address learning skills strategies in
accordance with the Residence Community Engagement Model (set out through Residence Life Staff training)
- Be available to residents through scheduled office hours and refer students to campus partners
- Attend Residence Life Staff academic themed meetings and training
- Recruit, supervise and work closely with Academic Aces
- Seek out and promote academic support information for residents
- Ensure study space in residence is accessible, has up-to-date information and encourages academic success
- Support academic programs facilitated by Student Affairs, Faculties and other campus partners
- Make conscious, appropriate and full use of programming budget
2. Community Development, Management & Support
- Foster a positive, friendly, inclusive atmosphere conducive to learning and facilitate the development of healthy,
friendly relationships among residents
- Recognize and refer students with mental, emotional, academic and physical concerns to other professionals on
campus or within the community
- Communicate your availability to students, teammates and Residence Life Coordinators and display flexible time
management
- Be a visible presence in your community and embrace opportunities for meaningful and impromptu
conversations with all residents
4.
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Administration & Communication
Assist with the check in and check out of residents
Adhere to a timely submission of e-RezLife reports as well as a prompt response to student issues.
Assist with marketing, recruitment campaigns and departmental events/programs lead by Residence Services
Department and other University departments
Respond within 24 hours of receipt to all requests (including emails and voicemails) made by members of
Residence Services
Set up and regularly check residence voicemail system prior to September and advertise the phone extension to
your floor/section
Read and be familiar with all publications and material distributed by Residence Services
Establish and maintain open and positive communication with all members of the Residence Services staff team,
members of the Windsor Inter Residence Council (WIRC) and RezEvents
Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act and the
policies/expectation of Residence Services
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Report for, and participate in, orientation and training (Fall, Winter and on-going) on the date(s) specified by the
Team Lead, Residence Life and/or Residence Life Coordinators
5. Leadership Development for Residents and Personal Development
- Promote student leadership opportunities, particularly residence opportunities such as Residence Life Staff,
WIRC & RezEvents, to students
- Participate in various professional development sessions provided by and/or promoted by the Residence Life
Management Team
- Participate in the Residence Life Staff hiring process for the following year
6. On-Duty Responsibilities and Facilitating Student Conduct Process
- Explain and enforce Residence Policies & Procedures, the Residence Community Standards, Residence
Student Conduct Process and the Residence License and Meal Plan Agreement and other rules and regulations
of the University
- Utilize Community Resolutions as a form of restorative practice to further student development
- Respond to, document and report all violations of the Residence Policies & Procedures, Residence Community
Standards, Residence License & Meal Plan Agreement, emergencies or facilities issues
- Adhere to on-call shifts schedule and conduct responsibilities assigned by the Residence Life Coordinator or
designate
- Assist others while on-call including other Resident Assistants, Community Assistants, Residence Life
Coordinator and/or Campus Community Police
- Accept full responsibility for the use of master keys, access codes, pegs and all accessible keys
- Know and execute emergency procedures including evacuation procedures and advise residents of the same
- Ensure that all exterior entrances to the buildings and unauthorized areas are properly secured at all times
- Support and check in with student desk staff throughout shift
7.
-
Role Modelling
Serve as a mature and positive ambassador of Residence Services on campus and in the greater community
Maintain healthy and respectful boundaries with all residents
Make appropriate personal lifestyle choices that reflect maturity and commitment to Residence Life, inclusivity of
all community members and commitment to academic success
8. Team Development
- Act as a team player and support the work and/or challenges of assigned building team and the Residence Life
Staff as a whole
- Actively participate in all socials, training sessions and activities organized by Residence Life
- Attend, on time, and participate in all meetings related to the Resident Assistant role
- Prepare for, and participate, in regular one on one’s with their assigned Residence Life Coordinator
- Be available to the staff team and Residence Life Coordinator and contribute to special projects at their request
9.
-
Assisting with Residence Facilities
Monitor and report the physical conditions of the residence community
Maintain cleanliness of personal accommodations as well as floor facilities to create a welcoming environment
Perform room checks once/semester to determine facilities/maintenance issues and/or infractions of the
Residence Community Standards and/or Policies & Procedures
Assist with opening and closing of buildings at the beginning and end of the academic year as well as break
periods
Teach residents how to submit work orders and submit work orders for common areas in a timely manner
Refer serious facilities concerns or on-going issues with work order to Facilities Coordinators
Respond to requests from housekeeping to assist in keeping areas clean
-
Assist students with storage of personal belongings in trunk rooms and/or appropriate storage areas according
to residence procedures
9. Other Duties as Assigned
- Circumstances may arise that necessitate the transfer of the Resident Assistant - Academic within the residence
system and Residence Life Staff team or the adjustment of duties assigned during the term of this position
10. Resident Assistants returning to the role have the following additional responsibilities:
- Guide and support Resident Assistants in the implementation and enforcement of Residence Policies &
Procedures, the Residence Community Standards, Residence Student Conduct Process and the Residence
License and Meal Plan Agreement and other rules and regulations of the University
- Act as a role model in student interactions, conflicts, mediations and community issues
- Offer constructive feedback to Resident Assistants in their performance of their job related functions
- Act as an open ear to the concerns and anxieties of Resident Assistants
- Role model strong, positive and professional relationships
- Practice restorative resolutions and community ownership in the mediation and resolution of team conflicts
- Take on a leadership role in the presentation professional development and training opportunities
- Make an effort to connect personally with each member of the Residence Life Staff team, particularly early in the
year
- Take on a leadership role residence-wide programming initiatives (i.e. HERO Day of Action, I Clover Sober etc.)
SCOPE AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:
Resident Assistant- Academic is one of approximately 35 student staff reporting to the Team Lead, Residence Life.
He\she receives direction from the Team Lead and a Residence Life Coordinator. The Resident Assistant is also
responsive to requests from the Department Head, Residence Facilities Manager and other residence staff where
needed.
COMPETENCIES, SKILLS and ATTRIBUTES:
Strong Verbal and Written Communication
Relationship Building
Leadership
Accountability
Initiative
Willingness to Learn
Respect
Problem Solving and Decision Making ability
Teamwork
Conflict Resolution
Commitment to Diversity
Professionalism
Integrity
Self-Reflection
QUALIFICATIONS:
Resident Assistants -Academic are expected to meet the following requirements:
- Enroll in a minimum of 3 courses per semester and be registered as a full time student
- Achieve and maintain a minimum of a 70% GPA prior to, and during the term, of appointment. If unable to
maintain average during the term, the Resident Assistant will have to develop, and follow, an academic success
plan with their Residence Life Coordinator
- Display efficiency in the competencies, skills and attributes detailed in this description
- Must not be on any University probation (academic or social).
- Must not be in violation of any University policy or procedures.
- Agree to live by the rules of residence in accordance with the Community Standards
- Possess current Emergency First Aid and CPR throughout the term of appointment
- Not hold any other position within residence and notify Residence Life Management Team of any other position
on campus (volunteer or paid) prior to signing Resident Assistant contract
- Must be available to work evenings and weekends
-
Remain in residence until the scheduled end of their employment contract (unless otherwise authorized by the
Residence Life Management Team)
REMUNERATION:
- Employment is normally for the academic year (i.e. late August-late April), however, continued employment is
subject to satisfactory performance. Individual evaluations will be conducted during each semester by the
Residence Life Coordinator.
- Resident Assistants receive remuneration for the position in the form of scholarship for the cost of their
residence room and an honorarium based on the results of the evaluations conducted by the Residence Life
Coordinator.
- All students currently receiving financial aid are encouraged to check with Student Financial Aid to determine
what impact (if any) the Resident Assistant position may have on their OSAP/scholarships/bursaries and/or
financial aid package
- Resident Assistants must claim the cost of their room and any honourarium monies as income for Income tax
purposes
The RA agrees to:
Pay the Residence Activity Fee
Pay the Inter-Residence Fee
Purchase a meal plan as a mandatory aspect of living in residence
The Department agrees to compensate the RA with:
- The cost of a single room in residence based on the assignments determined by the Residence Life
Management Team
- An honorarium of $200 ($100/semester) at the successful completion of the contractual obligations based on the
results of the evaluations conducted by the Residence Life Coordinator
- The cost of a refrigerator rental
- The cost of laundry access (up to $95)
- The cost of a basic phone line
- Time off requests must be submitted to the appropriate RLC. In order to be eligible for vacation time, all requests
must be approved by the appropriate RLC