To be or not to be a Residential Assistant

To be or not to be a Residential Assistant

By: Nauera Abou Abdou

If you are a student at Stockton University you might have gotten an email inviting you to become a residential assistant. An information informing, and interest meeting have been being held throughout the week of October 16th on both Galloway and Main campus for students who would like to become a RA.

According to one of the residential assistant in housing 4 residential assistant to become a Stockton residential assistant, you must be a full-time under student, with 12 credits or 9 credits in case or being a graduate student, with GPA of 2.5 who have completed at least one semester at Stockton. Also, you have to have a good standing conduct record in your university and residential life. no more than one executive position in a club or organization “and we only say that because being an RA is very time consuming” (Alyssa Royce).

Some of Stockton’s Residential Assistants

However, that’s not all that it takes. First, there is the applying period, where you fill out an application, and send in a resume and cover letter, and go to a group interview, which not really an interview nevertheless. In your “group interview” you are exposed to different situations that an RA's encounter on daily bases, as they attend a dozen of residents or more. Then comes your one on
one interview, where you make a presentation showing why you want to be an RA and what makes you qualify for the job. And finally complete a background check.

    While some think being an RA is limited to making sure no one is smoking weed or having sex in the showers, it is a much more challenging duty. Being a RA requires team player with crisis management skills, and the ability to foster diverse community and show support to all your residents. Student usually come up to you with conflicts between their roommate(s), problems with school, or even personal and mental issues. Maybe you can not solve all and everyone’s problem but it is your responsibility to show compassion and to direct them to the appropriate place to go. It is indeed challenging to handle, however, you will have the guidance you need through training in August and January, that you must attend, where you gain the skills to learn how to handle a crisis, and your complex director (CD) and your fellow RA's.

Other than being responsible for your floor you may have to stay on campus for some weekends or holidays for students who decide to stay on campus. Also, residential assistants are required to have office hours, conduct duty round and health and safety inspections, assist with all check ins and check outs, attend staff meetings and one on one meetings with your CD, document issues properly and put in work orders and other duty assignments that you may be asked to do but you usually have someone to help  you with it or guide your through it. It sounds like a long process but here is why it is worth it.
    According to the information meeting it turns out that it is pretty cool to be a residential assistant. First, it is a resume builder and a leadership opportunity where you get to work with other RAs. It is also a great way to meet new people and acquire new skills in a team atmosphere. Second and most importantly you get full compensation for housing and a monthly paycheck of a $125 before taxes and a 500 toward your meal plan.