Resident Assistant Application
2013-2014
Resident Assistant (RA) positions are available in a variety of locations on campus and serve various student
populations. These positions require students to serve as advisors, counselors, mediators, and resources to their
peers.
Currently RA positions are available in the following locations:
 Residence Halls: Cook Hall (6), Durfee Hall (4), Dykstra (12), Gilmore (5), Kollen (11), Lichty (3), Phelps (6), Scott
(5), VanVleck (2), Voorhees (5), Wyckoff (5) and College East Apartments (3). Some of these positions may be
filled by returning staff members.
 Cottages/Apartments: Some cottage or apartment RA positions may be available for new applicants; however,
preference for these positions is given to returning RA staff.
1. The application deadline is Monday, January 14, 2013 at 5pm. Your completed application should be
delivered to Student Development in the DeWitt Center and 2 letters of recommendation submitted online. Late
applications will only be processed after all applications turned in on time are evaluated.
2. The interview: It is possible that you will not be offered an opportunity for an in person interview. If you are
selected an interview, you will be contacted via email. Once you receive an interview offer it is your responsibility
to sign up for an interview time at the Student Development office, as times may quickly fill up. There will be four
different times from which you can choose to interview:
Friday, January 25
5:20pm – 7:00pm
VanderWerf 102
Friday, January 25
7:20pm – 9:00pm
VanderWerf 102
Saturday, January 26
9:20am – 11:00am
VanderWerf 102
Saturday, January 26
12:20pm – 2:00pm
VanderWerf 102
3. Academics and Behavioral Good Standing: Hope College is committed to seeking applicants with strong
academics. Candidates must have a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average to be considered for an RA
position. Additionally, students who are on behavioral probation will be considered only after a discussion about
the nature of the judicial violation. In some cases students with certain judicial violations will not be considered for
an RA position. Anyone with special circumstances regarding GPA or judicial status should contact the Director of
Residential Life and Housing, John Jobson.
4. Housing Assignment: Your housing assignment is dependent on department need and your own qualifications.
Our goal is to match individual strengths with housing needs. We also strive toward a diversity of staff in each
residential area. Gender assignment of halls may be changed after the hiring process. In the event of gender
inequity (i.e., a female happens to be in an all-male location) reassignments may occur after room draw.
5. Compensation: The Board of Trustees sets RA compensation rates in January. We anticipate the 2013-2014
rates to be a small increase over our current year’s rates. Current RAs make between $1,634.00 (cottages and
apartments) and $ $3,714.50 (residential halls) for the academic year. RAs receive a check every other week.
Like all student jobs, the Office of Financial Aid is informed of what RAs make, so it’s possible that
compensation might affect an RA’s aid package. Please call or visit the Office of Financial Aid at
finaid@hope.edu or x7765 for more details.
6. Offers will be extended by Tuesday, February 5, 2013. You will be expected to either accept or decline the
position by Friday, February 8, 2013 at 5pm.
7. Any additional accommodation issues or general questions should be discussed with Toni Gordon, Selection
Coordinator. Please call x6300 or email at RAselection@hope.edu if you have any questions. We look forward to
reviewing your application.
RA Application
Updated 11/12/12
Important Dates and Information
for New Resident Assistants
Leadership Summit/ RA Teambuilding Day
 Saturday, April 6, 2012 9:00am-5:00pm
RA Seminar Series (3 sessions held consecutive weeks)
 Tuesday 11:00-11:50am March 26, April 2, 9
 Tuesday 7:00-7:50pm March 26, April 2, 9
 Wednesday 7:00-7:50pm March 27, April 3, 10 (The 10th will be from 8pm-8:50)
 Thursday 11:00-11:50am March 28, April 4, 11
*You will be asked to select a section upon accepting your RA position offer. Attendance at all 3 sessions is
mandatory for newly hired RAs.
RA Training Expectations
 RAs are required to attend RA training in its entirety. RA Training will take place in August 2013 and
January 2014.
 August training dates have not yet been finalized. The required dates will be provided upon receiving an
RA position offer.
 In addition to training, Hall Resident Assistants also assist with portions of Orientation from Friday, August
23 to Monday, August 26 (such as all hall meetings, floor/wing/cluster meetings, etc).
 RA Rejuvenation (spring training) is Saturday, January 4, 2014. RAs are expected to return to campus on
Friday, January 3, 2014 in order to participate in RA Rejuvenation.
Please Note
 Newly hired RAs will not be allowed to serve as Assistant Directors for Orientation due to training conflicts.
Returning RAs assigned to a cottage or apartment may apply to serve as an Orientation Assistant only if
they get prior permission from Dee Campanella, Associate Director of Residential Life and Housing.
 IN ADDITION, fall athletes, and other activities such as worship team members and others, might not have
the opportunity to become RAs as it conflicts with the RA training expectations. As mentioned, you are
required to attend RA training in its totality. With this in mind, please talk to your coach and
extracurricular advisor to see if this is something you can do. There are no exceptions for any date during
training. Please strongly consider this information as you apply.
RA Application
Updated 11/12/12
Resident Assistant Application
2013-2014
Please return to Student Development Office by 5:00 PM on Monday, January 14, 2013.
Please type or print legibly.
Name ____________________________________________________________ Year __________________________
Student ID _________________________________________________________ GPA _________________________
Current Campus Address _________________________________________ Cell Phone ________________________
Home Address __________________________________________________ Home Phone ______________________
E-mail Address ____________________________________________________________________________________
Academic Interest/Major ____________________________________________________________________________
Have you ever been charged with a judicial infraction from the start of your Hope academic career until the present
time? Please check yes or no. YES _____ NO ______ If yes, please provide a brief explanation:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Extracurricular activities you have been involved in during college (include: internships, organizations, ensembles,
Greek, student teaching/observing, athletics, etc):
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Extracurricular activities you anticipate being involved in during the 2013-14 school year:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please indicate places you have lived on campus:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
RA Application
Updated 11/12/12
Current or previous employment experiences:
Employer
Employer
Phone
Position Held / Title
May we contact this
employer?
Anticipated employment during the 2013-14 school year:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
RA Application
Updated 11/12/12
Residential Area Interests
Please understand that your preferences will be taken into consideration, however placement will depend upon
department need. Please identify two communities you are committed to working within (I.E Kollen or Gilmore… etc).
You must identify two and there is no specific order.
Essay
Please respond to each of the following questions. Limit each response to 150-250 words.
1. Why do you think you would be an exceptional Resident Assistant? Focus on specific qualities you would
bring to the position and how you have demonstrated those qualities in the past (i.e. through involvement
in other activities, organizations, etc.).
2. Describe a challenging situation that you have faced. Please include why it was a challenge, how you
resolved it, and what you would have done differently if given the chance.
Letters of Recommendation
Please submit two letters of recommendation using the attached forms. At least one recommendation should be from
a Hope community member such as a faculty member, staff, coach, or advisor. If desired, you may submit more than
two letters of recommendation. Recommendations should NOT be from other students or family members. (Your RD
will be at the decision making table, so you are best served by having someone other than your RD complete the
form). Recommendations are to be completed through the following link:
http://hope.edu/student/residential/ra/RA_recommendation_form.htm
I have asked the following individuals to write a recommendation for me:
Name _________________________________________
Name _________________________________________
Title __________________________________________
Title __________________________________________
Email Address__________________________________
Email Address__________________________________
I certify that I have read and understand the job description of the position for which I am applying. I also certify
that the information given in this application is correct and honest and that I will inform Student Development if there
are any changes. In addition, I understand that my signature on this application grants Student Development
permission to verify my GPA and judicial record.
______________________________________
Signature
___________________________________
Date
REMINDER – Interviews: You may be selected for an interview. You will receive an email indicating your
application and interview status and it is your responsibility to sign up for an interview time in the Student
Development Office.
RA Application
Updated 11/12/12