RESIDENCE ASSISTANT
- GENERAL INFORMATION ROLE OF THE RESIDENCE ASSISTANT
The Residence Assistant (RA) is responsible for security, discipline, assisting and advising
residence students and developing and encouraging residence activities, events, and programs.
The RA is intensively involved in residence life in a variety of ways which include:
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Providing the proper level of discipline in his/her area so the rights and needs of all students
to study, learn, rest and socialize are respected.
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Being enthusiastic about residence activities: initiating and sponsoring programs that
encourage students to learn by being involved in all phases of residence life.
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Orienting new students to the residence and providing opportunities for these people to
become acquainted with other residents.
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Supplying information on residence life, facilities and services available, including medical,
counselling, and financial aid.

Becoming well enough acquainted with residents so that a relationship of trust and friendship
is established.

Aiding students with personal, academic, financial, social or other problems whenever
possible, being particularly aware of referral sources within the university.

Assisting with administrative duties. Working with Residence Councils, as assigned by the
Director of Residence Hall Programs,
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Working closely with other RAs and Residence Council in matters of mutual concern.
Attending Residence Council Meetings and participating on Residence Council Committees
such as the Food Committee and the Weight Room Committee, as assigned by the Director
of Residence Hall Programs.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
Residence Assistants are members of Student Services, and report directly to the Director of
Residence Hall Programs. The Residence Assistant has specific responsibility for the
administration and security of the unit or hall to which he/she is assigned and general
responsibility throughout the Residence Complex, including adjoining hallways and food service
areas.
QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants for the position of Residence Assistant must satisfy a number of requirements that
include the following:
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Demonstrated ability to relate well with peers and an acceptable level of maturity.
Demonstrated ability to influence in a positive manner the behaviour of other people.
Academic proficiency as demonstrated by a high grade point average: preferably 3.0 or
greater. RAs must function as academic and behavioural role models for other residents.
Residence living experience of two years or more in Brandon University residence. In
exceptional circumstances applicants with less than two years of Brandon University
residence living may be considered.
Residence Hall Programs Office, February 2010
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Personal awareness of those skills and attributes that qualify the applicant for the position. All
applicants are requested to supply an articulate statement (approximately one or two doublespaced printed pages) of what, in particular, makes him/her a good candidate for the position.
Please be specific about skills such as relating with people, acting as a source of information,
dealing with discipline problems, routine administration, handling a peer counselling function.
Do not hesitate to mention any other personal information that is relevant in illustrating
potential effectiveness as an R.A.
EXPECTATIONS
There are a number of restrictions affecting Residence Assistants that applicants should be
aware, including:
1. Residence Assistants must be prepared to be "on duty" at least six nights per month. On
such nights the RA on duty may be required to be present in the Residence Office for a
period of up to three hours, as scheduled by the Director of Residence Hall Programs.
This often involves significant interruption to study or sleep.
2. Residence Assistants are expected to be on campus at least three weekends per month,
and maintain a presence around their room (be available to floor members) at least four
nights per week.
3. Residence Assistants will not ordinarily be allowed to take more than four three-credit
courses per term.
4. Residence Assistants may be permitted to participate in other extra-curricular activity,
such as volunteer work or other employment on campus or off campus. Such extracurricular activity must be minimal (less than 5 hours per week) and must not interfere
with their R.A. job. Permission must be obtained from the Director of Residence Hall
Programs prior to committing to extra-curricular activity.
5. Residence Assistants are not permitted to hold any residence government or major
Student Union positions, or play on any of the University teams that have a schedule of
field trips requiring frequent absences from campus.
6. Residence Assistants must be available to begin work by the third week in August.
7. Residence Assistants are required to remain on campus until the last day of final
examinations each term.
NUMBER OF POSITIONS
Tentatively there are six (6) positions for Residence Assistant (subject to change).
REMUNERATION
A Residence Assistant is paid approximately an amount equal to room and board and residence
fees for the entire contract period (mid August to end of April). This means that an RA living in a
higher cost residence will be paid correspondingly more than an RA living in a lower cost
residence.
PROCEDURES FOR SELECTION
All applicants will not necessarily receive interviews, however all applicants will be contacted by
the Chairman of the RA Selection Committee regarding whether or not they will be receiving an
interview. The Selection Committee is composed of the Director of Residence Hall Programs, up
to four current RAs, four residence students, and a representative from Student Services.
Detailed selection procedures are available from the Director of Residence Hall Programs.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Deadline for application is 4 p.m. Wednesday, February 17th, 2010. Completed applications must
be returned to the Residence Hall Programs Office: Main Floor, McMaster Hall.
Residence Hall Programs Office, February 2010
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