Resident Assistant Position
There’s an app for that!
Thank you for your interest in the Resident Assistant (RA) position. The Office of Residence life is very
excited that you are considering applying to become an RA. It is an amazing position that is very
rewarding.
Please read through this packet as it contains important information, and be sure to return the
application by the deadline (Feb. 1, 2011) You can find additional information about RA recruitment and
selection online at www.fairfield.edu/student/res_staffselection.html.
If you have any questions, please e-mail Ophelie Rowe Allen at orallen@fairfield.edu or stop by the
Office of Residence Life, BCC 96.
Process and Timeline
The RA selection process is very straightforward. Follow these five simple steps, discover your potential,
and apply to be an RA!
Five simple steps!
1. Attend an Information Session and pick up an application in your building or go online and
download an application
2. Submit your application materials (application, essay questions, references, and transcript)
3. Schedule and attend a 45-minute individual interview
4. Pick a time for the Group Process Interview when you submit your application
5. Have a positive attitude and enjoy the experience!
Due Date
02/01
02/1402/16
02/24
03/02
03/10
03/28
04/5-04/19
04/27
Description
Deadline to turn in application materials (submit to Residence Life, BCC 96) by 4:30 p.m.
Individual Interviews by appointment (scheduled when you submit your application) to
the Office of Residence Life
E-mail will be sent to you about the status of your individual interview
Group Process Interview (rank preferred time when dropping off application). Residence
Life will e-mail assigned time.
Offer and alternate letters will be delivered via e-mails to candidates
Acceptance letters for all positions
Mandatory Resident Assistant Class (2 sections) Tuesday (6:15 p.m.-7:45 p.m.) and
Fridays (3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
RA Orientation and building assignment (6:15 p.m.-7:45 p.m.)
These are required events (put them in your calendar)
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Resident Assistant Position
Eligibility
Minimum Requirements: To be eligible to participate in the RA selection process, applicants must be an
enrolled, degree seeking, full-time Fairfield University student who is in good academic and judicial
standing. Additionally, RAs are expected to maintain a 2.8 cumulative GPA while in the position.
Candidates whose GPA is below a 2.8 at the time of application are encouraged to apply with the
understanding that their GPA must be raised to 2.8 before beginning the position in the fall semester.
Availability: To be considered for the RA selection process, candidates must be available in the spring
and available to attend all required events. Students wishing to study abroad in the fall or spring
semester are encouraged to apply. Interview times can be scheduled before December 18 or done
through Skype during the spring semester.
How to Apply: The RA application packet consists of an application, essay question/s, and reference
form/s. All application materials (including application, essay questions, and transcript) must be
submitted to the Office of Residence Life, BCC 96, no later than Tuesday, February 1, 2011. You are
strongly encouraged to submit it earlier than that.
Application: You will need to complete and submit the enclosed Resident Assistant Staff Selection
Application. Please type all essay questions in 12 point font with 1 inch margins. Your essay questions
should be no more than two (2) pages.
Essay Questions: Included in the application is a series of essay questions. You will need to type your
answers to these and submit them along with the application on a separate piece of paper no more than
2 pages. This is an opportunity for us to learn a little more about you and your experiences/skills set and
your interests in the RA position.
References: You are required to submit two references. One of these references can be from a current
RA. The second form (or both if you didn’t use an RA) can be completed by anyone of your choosing
including a non Residence Life staff member, a job supervisor, residential college mentor, or a faculty
member.
If you are applying to any of the Residential Colleges one reference must be from your mentor.
You can find the downloadable reference forms at www.fairfield.edu/student/res_staffselection.html.
You will need to send this form to the individuals you are asking to serve as a reference for you. Please
follow up with your references to ensure that they have completed and submitted the form to the
Residence Life Office on or before February 1. Missing materials may slow down your application
process.
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Resident Assistant Position
Interviews
Group Process Interview: The Group Process Interview will take place on Wednesday, March 2, 2011
from 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Applicants can rank their preference for the
interview time when submitting their application. There will be a sign-in sheet at the front desk. An
e-mail will be sent to applicants with their assigned time. In this interview, you will participate with
other applicants in a group setting with RAs, Area Coordinators, and Assistant Directors.
The purpose of the group process interview is to observe who you are in a team setting. We observe
group dynamics and ways in which you impact the group. The Office of Residence Life seeks to create RA
teams which consist of individuals with different characteristics.
Individual Interview: The individual interview is scheduled for February 14-16 and will be approximately
45 minutes. A Residence Life staff member will assist you in signing up for an interview time when you
submit your application at the front desk. Turn in your application early and you’ll have more open
interview times to pick from. A mixture of current Resident Assistants, Area Coordinators, and Assistant
Directors will conduct these interviews.
You will be asked questions to enable your interviewers to get to know you and your experiences better.
Be prepared to ask questions, there will be time at the end of the interview for you to do so. Dress code
for that day is business attire.
Summer Opportunity
Residence Life hires students to work over the summer with conferences and camps. As a summer RA
you will be given housing as compensation. summer RAs normally start work at 6 p.m. each day. There is
always opportunity for a summer RA to earn extra money by doing additional duties assigned by
Residence Life. There are other summer opportunities available such as summer conference workers.
Compensation is a single room with an hourly rate of $9.
On the application, there is a question that asks if you are also interested in a summer RA position. If
you are interested in working as an RA this summer, please indicate so. You will be considered for a
summer position, however, you will have an additional interview in March/April of the spring semester
for summer hiring.
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Resident Assistant Position
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the benefits of the position?
 RAs receive room and board worth approximately $11,270.
 RAs have the ability to impact the lives of students in many different ways.
 The RA position is interesting and is sometimes challenging, however, it helps students
with their transition through college.
 RAs have the opportunity to gain invaluable student leadership experience.
2. Will being an RA impact my Financial Aid package?
 Typically, being an RA does NOT impact your Financial Aid package adversely.
 Every student’s financial package is unique, so you are strongly encouraged to speak with
the Financial Aid Office before accepting the RA position.
 You can contact Erin Chiaro, Director of Financial Aid, at (203) 254-4215 for more
information.
3. I’m currently a First-Year student. Can I apply?
 Absolutely! Each year, many First-Year students apply and are selected to be RAs for the
following year. However, we are looking for candidates who will show dedication in
fulfilling the educational mission of Residence Life through their leadership skills.
4. Can I choose the building that I would like to work with as an RA?
 Generally speaking, you could be an RA in any of the residence halls.
 In the application process you are required to choose the population you would most like
to work with.
 When hiring RAs, much consideration is given to which population they will work in. The
placement is based on many factors including the hired RAs strengths, abilities, and the
needs of the community/population.
5. How can I better prepare for the interviews?
 You are strongly encouraged to speak with current RAs to learn more of their
experiences and the process.
 Set up a time to meet your building Area Coordinator. They are professional staff that
can share their experiences, and help you identify your strengths and challenges. In
addition, they can work with you and encourage you to find ways to get involved in your
residence hall and the Fairfield community.
 Have conversations with family, friends, and current and past supervisors about your
strengths and weaknesses. This will help you have a better understanding of your
abilities.
 Career Planning provides opportunities for interviewing skills. Set up an appointment to
see a counselor in the Kelley Center.
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Resident Assistant Position
6. Can I be an RA for one semester and study abroad for the other?
 Yes, you can apply to be an RA for one semester. You will also have the opportunity to
re-apply the following year.
 The office of Residence Life is supportive of the Study Abroad program. However, please
note that if you are considering going abroad you must indicate this on your application.
If you are hired and you change your mind, please inform the Office of Residence Life as
soon as possible.
7. Can I have a job or leadership position in addition to being an RA?
 The expectation of our RAs is that their academics come first, the RA job comes second,
and extracurricular activities and outside work come third.

RAs should anticipate 15-20 scheduled hours per week of routine responsibilities (i.e.,
staff meetings, resident contact, office coverage, staff assignments, etc.).

We recognize that as a student leader, you may want to be involved in other
opportunities like student organizations, internships, research, and working part-time.
However, outside employment or internships will be limited during the period of the RA
appointment. All employment and internships must be discussed with and be approved
by the RA’s supervisor and be limited to 10 hours per week if approval is granted.

RAs must be fully committed to their position by not accepting any major leadership
roles in other organizations or clubs. It is expected that the RA will not hold a leadership
role on the IRHA executive board or FUSA executive board. It is also expected that RAs
will not hold the title of president in any club or be editor of the Mirror.

The scheduling of evening/nighttime classes must also be approved by your supervisor.
I’ll be studying abroad in the spring and can’t make the interviews. Can I still apply?
 If you are not able to be on campus for all the required interviews and RA class, the
Office of Residence Life will make other arrangements with you. There are interview
times available during the week of December 13 -17, if you submit your application by
December 10.
 If not, we can arrange to do an interview through Skype. Be sure to give us your
contact number and the time we can do the interview with you before you leave for the
winter break. Interview dates are February 14 -16. Please refer to the timeline in this
packet for a comprehensive list of required dates.
 In addition, if you are hired it is mandatory that you do the RA class online during the
summer to complete the hiring process.
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Resident Assistant Position
8. I was found responsible for a policy violation in the past. Can I still apply?
 We have all made a bad decision from time to time. As long as you’re not currently on
probation or have an outstanding judicial you are able to apply!
 The key to your violation is that you were able to learn from the experience. In your
application you will be asked to provide an explanation about how you learned from the
experience.
9. How many people will be hired? Are there alternate positions?
 The total number of new applicants hired depends on the number of current RAs
returning for the next academic year. There are currently 58 resident assistant positions
and we typically hire approximately 20-30 new RAs each year. With our new buildings
we will hire four additional RAs which will increase our staff to 62.
 There is a selection for alternate positions that will be available. These candidates may
be tapped if a position opens up over the summer or midyear. It is common for us to fill
1-3 positions with alternates at some point after making hiring decisions.
10. What are my living arrangements if I am not placed in traditional residence hall?
 Generally all RAs are guaranteed a single.
 If you are placed in a suite style apartment or the townhouses you will be able to select
friends to live with you for the upcoming academic year. However, if you are placed in
42 Bellarmine Road, RAs are placed together in a quad style setting.
 This is a great perk for an RA and the friend/s of the RA as they will not go through the
lottery process in March.
11. Can I apply as a commuter student?
 Absolutely! We welcome students to apply whether they are living on campus or off
campus. We hope you will take some time to visit the residence halls and talk to RAs
and students in different buildings to learn about life on campus.
12. I am an athlete, can I apply?
 To apply for the RA position, you must receive approval from your coach. Depending on
your sport, some athletes may not be eligible to apply. You are also encouraged to
speak to current RAs who are athletes.
13. Should I participate in the housing lottery or the Sophomore Residential College Application
process?
 If you are applying for the resident assistant position you must still go through the
required University housing process for your class year.
14. What if I have more questions?
 If you currently live in the residence halls, you can talk to your RA, Area Coordinator, or
Ophelie Rowe Allen, Associate Director in the Office of Residence Life, BCC 96.
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Resident Assistant Position
Area Coordinators
42 Bellarmine
Campion Hall
Gonzaga Hall
Loyola Hall
Jogues Hall
Regis Hall
Townhouses
Village Area
Tara Rupp
Bonnie Nimmo
Gregory Vigliotta
Nathan Lubich
Ange Concepcion
Melisa Jaquez
Michael Moore
Meredith Smith
(trupp@fairfield.edu)
(bnimmo@fairifeld.edu)
(gvigliotta@fairfield.edu)
(nlubich@fairfield.edu)
(aconcepcion@fairfield.edu)
(mjaquez@fairfield.edu)
(mmoore8@fairfield.edu)
(msmith13@fairfield.edu)
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