Resident Assistants
The role of the Resident Assistant is to help the Residence Life Office foster a residential community that is built on respect, community, honesty and academic excellence. RAs do this by getting to know residents in their community, being available and approachable, encouraging involvement of residents in academic, social, and cultural events, confronting inappropriate behavior and responding when a resident is in need of assistance or a caring ear. Resident Assistants are role models for what a successful and responsible college student should be.
What do Resident Assistants do?
Requirements
Benefits of Being a Resident Assistant
How to apply
Selection Process
Training
What do Resident Assistants do?
- Maintain a high profile in the hall, suite, or apartment community
- Encourage involvement of residents in academic and social events
- Respond when a resident is in need of assistance or a caring ear
- Build and lead a community by being available and accessible to residents
- Connect peers to educational, social and cultural activities
- Utilize appropriate personnel and procedures to handle crisis, discipline, and duty situations
- Night/weekend community walks
- Work weekly shifts at hall desks
- Attend required staff meetings and training sessions
- Encourage and support student leadership
- Serve as an academic and social role model and resource for a diverse group of students
- Assist in administrative duties which includes closing and opening at end of semester and breaks
- Assist students with policies and help them understand rationale
- Confront inappropriate behavior and policy violations
- Be a positive role model through personal example and demonstrate a commitment and pride for York College of Pennsylvania and Residence Life
Requirements
- At least one semester of academic coursework completed by the start of fall 2009 semester
- Cumulative GPA of 2.25
- At least 1 semester of on-campus residency at YCP
- Work no more than 10 hours at another job outside of Residence Life
- Accept employment for a nine month period beginning in early August with training and concluding soon after residential facilities close at the end of Spring semester in May
- Must also be in good standing with Residence Life
Benefits of Being a Resident Assistant
- Meet and get to know many different kinds of people
- Develop new connections with students, staff, faculty and administrators
- Use RA experience as real job experience on resume
- Leadership experience and skills
- Develop sense of responsibility
- Interviewing experience
- Learn to work as a team member
- A free standard room credit
- Free parking pass
- Starting stipend of $1800 per year and increases with years of service
How to apply
Download, complete and submit a Resident Assistant Application. Please refer to the checklist included in the application packet. The completed application should be submitted to the Residence Life Office located in the Student Union, Lower Level Room 134. Positions are available in most of the residential areas on campus.
For any questions, please contact Sally Bacon at 717-815-1281 or e-mailing sbacon@ycp.edu.
Selection Process
Selection Decisions
The Selection Process consists of a three-part process--- application review, group process, and individual interviews. Communication will be via YCP e-mail and regular mail during the process (off-campus candidates should be prepared to pick up information letters in the Residence Life Office, Room 134 in the Student Union, during regular 8:30 am – 5:00 pm operating hours). All applicants should check their e-mail and mail regularly to ensure successful participation in the RA Selection process.
Application Review
Each part of the application packet will be carefully reviewed and evaluated. Candidates are encouraged to take significant care in preparing and completing their application. Take time to check the application thoroughly for spelling, grammar, and detail. Each candidate’s eligibility will be checked by verifying the candidate’s cumulative grade point average (GPA) with the Registrar’s Office and a list of candidate's names sent to the Assistant Director of Residence Life for Judicial Affairs for review at the time of application.
Group Process
Candidates will participate in a three-hour group process activity with 6-8 other candidates. The group will be given three different activities to complete during the allotted time. The process will be evaluated by a team of Area Coordinators, Resident Directors and Resident Assistants. Each member of the evaluation team will evaluate each candidate.
The Group Process activities will take place in the Student Center on Friday, February 13, 2008. Each person should report to the William Walker Room at the beginning of the session.
Individual Interview
Every individual that submits a complete and eligible application online will receive a thirty-minute interview with members of the Residence Life Office. During this interview, candidates will be asked a variety of questions assessing their knowledge of the Resident Assistant position and the skills and abilities each candidate possesses.
Candidates will be interviewed, on an individual basis by a four-person panel consisting of Area Coordinators, Resident Directors, and Resident Assistants. Candidates should be sure to read all materials thoroughly and be prepared to answer questions concerning their application essay questions, residential and leadership experiences.
Interviews for candidates will be held in the Student Union on Saturday, February 21, 2008. Candidates will choose their interview time at the Group Process Day.
Alternate Status
The candidate pool will often yield more qualified candidates than there are vacancies to fill, and vacancies will continue to occur throughout the year. Alternates will be considered for open positions through Fall Break 2009.
Training
Resident Assistant training consists of 10 days of training in August and 2 days prior to spring semester. Our comprehensive training program will challenge and teach you what you need to know to succeed as a Resident Assistant. RAs are trained in the following areas:
- Diversity/multicultural awareness
- Communication/listening skills
- Confrontation/meditation skills
- Time management
- Counseling
- Leadership styles
- Ethical decision making and problem solving
- Crisis management
- Programming and team building