RESIDENT ADVISER APPLICATION
THE PROCESS
Enclosed is the application packet for the Resident Adviser (RA) position. The application process includes three phases. Phase I is your attendance at an
informational session. Phase II is this application. Your timely submission and thoughtful answers to the questions are the first presentation of
yourself to the evaluation committee. The evaluation committee is comprised of Residential Programs professional staff, Graduate Assistants, and
current RA/CAs. Phase III is a half-day of on-campus interviews (including an individual interview and group exercises) on January 16, 2010 or
January 17, 2010, which is the weekend before classes start for spring semester. Final decisions are based on the application, individual interviews,
and group exercises. Applicants who are planning to study abroad for the Spring 2010 semester must go through their interview process on
December 11, 2009. We will contact you to set up an appointment time when we receive your completed application.
QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants for RA position must be full-time CC or SEAS undergraduate degree candidates with guaranteed housing at Columbia University. The
RA position is a one year appointment and applicants must anticipate being present for the full 2010–2011 academic year. Individuals who
will only be available for one semester due to graduation, study abroad, etc. are not eligible for consideration. Non-eligible applicants are graduate,
General Studies, and Barnard College students. Candidates must be sophomores, juniors, or seniors during the 2010-2011 academic year with a 2.5
grade point average or better. Candidates must be in good academic and behavioral standing in order to be selected.
Members of the Residential Programs Staff are not able to serve as crew chiefs or committee members for the New Student Orientation Program or
leadership of COOP or CUE. In addition to mandatory attendance at the Spring RA/CA Orientation session on April 25, 2010, all staff
members are expected to attend a staff training and orientation beginning Friday, August 20, 2010 till the beginning of classes for Fall
Semester, and Winter Recharge Training, which is begins on Wednesday, January 12, 2011. Participation in employment training sessions is
mandatory.
THE APPLICATION
Your application will be submitted on-line, please continue to read below, which provides important dates and details of the positions for your
reference. Your submission should include:
1. The application itself (on-line).
2. One letter of recommendation from your current or past RA or CA who can comment on your character and abilities to fulfill the
expectations of the job. Please submit the recommendation in a sealed envelope with your name on the front to Karu Kozuma in Lerner
515 (see download for the recommendation form).
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. All applications must be submitted and recommendations must be received by Monday,
November 30, 2009 at 5 PM. Questions about the process, the job descriptions and qualifications should be directed to Karu Kozuma at
hk2134@columbia.edu, (212) 854-9134 or FAX (212) 854-6815. Thank you for your interest in enhancing the residential experiences for
Columbia students. We look forward to speaking with you throughout the process.
Monday, November 30, 2009, 5:00pm:
IMPORTANT DATES AT A GLANCE
Application and reference letter submission deadline
Friday, December 11, 2009:
Interviews for those going abroad in Spring ’10
End of January, 2010:
Decision notification
Saturday, January 16 and Sunday, January 17, 2010:
Sunday, April 25, 2010:
Friday, August 20, 2010 till the first day of class:
Wednesday, January 12-16, 2011:
Interviews (you will only be required to attend one day)
Meeting to meet your supervisor and new staff
Mandatory Student Staff Training. No exceptions will be made.
Winter Recharge Training
RESIDENT ADVISER POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Resident Adviser (RA) is a paraprofessional staff member of the Office of Residential Programs who is responsible for
facilitating community standards. As such, this position is different than other leadership opportunities at Columbia in that RAs are
also employees. RAs must challenge themselves to achieve higher levels of awareness concerning their own identities and
perceptions as well as understanding the identities and perception of others. RAs must also maintain sensitivity to cultural norms and
work to be an ally for students in matters of diversity and diversity education. RAs supplement and complement the process of formal
education by establishing a strong community, thus enhancing the quality of life in the residence halls. The successful RA is
concerned with the growth and development of each individual on their hall and is expected to promote an environment conducive to
the overall wellness needs of the residents. RAs must demonstrate sound interpersonal skills, initiative, dependability, and a positive
attitude. The RA is directly responsible to the Graduate Assistant/Associate Director.
Personal Development
A. Willing to engage in conversations and trainings focused on allowing RAs to better understand their own identities;
B. Challenge yourself to achieve higher levels of awareness of people’s perceptions, maintaining appropriate sensitivity and
awareness of cultural norms, diversity, and diversity education;
C. Exhibit effective listening and intervention skills that demonstrate and understanding of as well as a sensitive and appreciation
for diversity;
D. Maintain positive working relationships with other staff members and offices on campus;
E. Respond to all emergency situations in a calm and responsible manner;
F. Be open to feedback as part of regular supervisory meetings as well as formal evaluation periods;
G. Recognize personal limitations;
H. Recognize the limitations of your role and seek appropriate resources;
I. Take responsibility for the decisions that you have made;
J. Use common sense and good judgment;
K. Consult with your Associate Director/Graduate Assistant before making decisions as warranted.
Community Development
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Facilitate community standards with your students, and review and/or update the standards throughout the academic year;
Implement activities as per the community enhancement model;
Submit program paperwork within the established timeline;
Attend and be active in building, area, and university functions;
Serve as a coordinator, motivator, and resource person in encouraging residents to take ownership of their community;
Assess the needs of your residents on a continual basis.
Advising and Counseling
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Know your residents. Be aware of their personal, social, and academic concerns;
Recognize personal limitations;
Refer any resident whom you perceive needs professional attention to your Associate Director/Graduate Assistant;
Work with your supervisor to make appropriate referrals;
Be visible, available, and approachable to your residents;
Respond to and document the range of community situations;
Mediate conflicts between roommates and suitemates when necessary;
Uphold the established standards of confidentiality.
Information, Communication, and Resource Referral
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Attend all staff meetings;
Check and respond to your email and your campus voicemail at least once per day;
Post necessary notices and/or distribute information to residents in a timely fashion;
Hold regularly scheduled community meetings as per your supervisor;
Be familiar with, communicate, and enforce policies and procedures in a positive fashion;
Be familiar with campus and community resources and provide such information to residents;
Maintain regular and frequent communication with your graduate assistant;
Attend scheduled one-on-one meetings with graduate assistant.
Maintenance and Safety
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Understand maintenance reporting, community safety, emergency and fire evacuation procedures;
Report needed repairs according to established procedure;
Familiarize residents with maintenance reporting, community safety, emergency and fire evacuation procedures;
Respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis;
Adhere to fire safety evacuation procedures for the area.
Staff Standards
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Role model appropriate behavior at all times. An RA is an RA no matter where they are, including on-line communities;
Be familiar with, enforce, and be able to explain campus policies/regulations in a positive manner;
Establish community standards and emphasize the interplay between community and individual needs;
Encourage students to take responsibility for their own actions and increase their consideration for others;
Refer disciplinary matters to your Associate Director/Graduate Assistant;
Immediately address and document all incidents and situations that threaten the health, safety, and security of the community.
Administrative Responsibilities
A. Prepare to be the first to arrive and last to leave for each semester, holiday break, etc.;
B. Complete assigned paperwork and administrative tasks as per your Associate Director/Graduate Assistant.
C. Meet the requests from our university partners, including, but not limited to Housing, Public Safety, etc. as per your Associate
Director/Graduate Assistant;
D. Document damage or vandalism immediately on an Incident Report.
Duty Responsibilities
A. Duty provides an opportunity for RAs to be creative in connecting to residents and maintaining a visible presence in their area;
B. Participate in a rotating, on-call duty schedule, determined by area needs:
 Fall Duty begins at the conclusion of Fall Training and runs through the conclusion of Fall Semester finals, including
breaks and holidays;
 Spring Duty begins when visiting students arrive in January and runs through the day after Commencement, including
breaks and holidays;
 Make rounds of the building (as established by your supervisor), making sure to address any security and/or behavioral
concerns.
C. Complete thorough incident reports;
D. Follow all other duty procedures as outlined by the Office of Residential Programs and your supervisor.
Personal/Paraprofessional Development & Departmental Responsibilities
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Attend all meetings and training on time, including in-services, August staff development, January staff development, etc.
Support CA programming in your area;
Balance time commitments;
Recognize limitations and work to improve;
Be receptive to paraprofessional and personal development;
It is understood that involvement in clubs and organizations may conflict with the RA position from time to time. However, it is
expected that the RA position be the first consideration after your academics. Any positions or significant time commitments
outside of the RA position must be discussed with and approved by your supervisor BEFORE you commit to the outside activity.
Your supervisor may limit time available for any outside commitment;
G. Challenge yourself to achieve higher levels of awareness of people’s perceptions, maintaining appropriate sensitivity and
awareness of cultural norms, diversity, and diversity education.
Important Dates
A. Fall Training – Friday, August 20, 2010 through the beginning of classes;
B. Winter Recharge Training – Wednesday, January 12-16, 2011.
Compensation
A. Free room within one of the undergraduate residence halls or brownstones;
B. $600 annual stipend – stipend is received in 3 installment payments over the course of the academic year.
C. RAs in Carman, Furnald, John Jay and the Living Learning Center receive $450 in Dining Dollars to be used exclusively for
meals in John Jay Dinning Hall to encourage them to eat with their first-year residents, who are on mandatory meal plans.
In accordance with its own values and with federal, state, and city statutes and regulations, Columbia does not discriminate in admissions, employment, programs, or
services on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. This job description is intended as a summary of the primary
responsibilities of and qualifications for this position. The job description is not intended as inclusive of all duties an individual in this position might be asked to
perform or of all qualifications that may be required now or in the future.
RESIDENT ADVISER APPLICATION
I. PERSONAL INFORMATION (PRINT CLEARLY AND LEGIBLY):
Name: _________________
last
______________________
Date of Birth: ___________ Uni:_______
Permanent Address:
First
______________________
middle
Cell Phone #: _____________ Lerner Box:_______
Residence Halls you have lived in the past:
___________________________
______________________________
___________________________
_____________________________
__________________________
____________________________
Residence hall
city/state/zip
phone number
1st year
2nd year
3rd year
II. ACADEMIC STATUS:
School:__________
Major:________________
Graduation Date:_______
Cumulative GPA: _____
Do you plan on studying abroad during the Spring 2010 semester?_______
III. DESIGNATION OF POSITION:
CHECK ALL THAT APPLY
Are you interested in working with: First-Years ______
Upper Class Students _______ Either
Are you interested in working in: Living Learning Center (LLC) _______, or with
One of our Special Interest Communities _______
(Please note that although your interest in a particular area is helpful, if you are accepted as an RA, you may be placed
in any area depending on our assessment of your abilities and match)
Do you have any medical needs that would affect your housing placement? Please be specific and provide accompanying medical
documentation.
IV. QUESTIONS:
On a separate sheet of paper, please type your answers to each of the following questions. The response for each numbered question should not
exceed one page.
1. What motivated you to apply to be an RA? What skills do you possess that will make you an effective RA? Providing specific
examples of your skills will strengthen your response.
2. Describe a significant experience you have had living, working or sharing time with a person or persons who were different from
you in terms of physical ability, cultural background, sexual orientation or economic status. What were you initial thoughts and
feelings? How, if at all, did your attitude or values change as a result of that experience?
3. List commitments you anticipate you will have for next year (athletics, executive board member of a group, paid/unpaid internship
or job) and tell us how each of commitments define who you are.
4. If you indicated a population preference (first-years, upperclass students, the Living-Learning Center), please explain your interest
in working with the particular community. If you did not indicate a population preference, you do not need to answer this question.
V. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
1) How will the RA position affect my financial aid package? You should go speak with your financial aid adviser and consult with
him or her about your particular situation.
2) Can graduate students apply for a position? No, you must be an undergraduate SEAS or CC student with guaranteed housing
status.
3) Can commuter students apply for a position? No, you must have guaranteed housing status.
4) Which classes are eligible to apply? Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply.
RESIDENT ADVISER RECOMMENDATION FORM
Applicant: Please complete the top section of this form before submitting to your respondent.
Name of Applicant __________________________________________________________________ [please print]
First Name
Last Name
In accordance with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act of 1974. P.L. 93~80 (as amended), with specific references to
Section 438 a.1.B. and Subtitle A, sections 99.7,99.11 and 99.12.
_____ I DO waive my right of access and review of this reference, and understand that the reference is confidential.
_____ I DO NOT waive my right of access and review of this reference.
Signature of Applicant ________________________________________________
Date _____________________________
RESPONDENT: The individual requesting this reference is an applicant for a Resident Adviser (RA) position with the Office of Residential
Programs at Columbia University. The RA is responsible for facilitating community standards, setting behavioral limits, community
enhancement, managing emergency situations, serving as a role model for peers, and being open and aware of cultural norms and diversity
education. Resident Assistants are also responsible for administrative tasks and communicating current information to residents about campus
events, policies, etc.
Although we have included a waiver of review for the candidate, we strongly encourage your consultation with the applicant directly - perhaps
your thoughts will provide the applicant with valuable feedback that they can use in this position or in other facets of his/her personal and
academic life.
Name of respondent ___________________________________________________________________________________
Title of respondent ____________________________________________________________________________________
How long have you known the Applicant? _______________________________________________________________
In what capacity? (please be specific) ____________________________________________________________________
Please provide the selection committee with comments relating to your perception of this candidate’s ability or
potential to fulfill the following areas of responsibility (see reverse side).
Please return this completed form in a signed, sealed envelope to Hikaru Kozuma, Lerner 515.
It is his/her responsibility to submit a complete application by Monday, November 30th at 5 pm.
Please explain why you think this student would be capable of fulfilling the role of a Resident Adviser at Columbia.
Please list any areas for growth for the student.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE