Philosophy of the Resident Assistant Position
The Resident Assistant is responsible for developing relationships with and among residents and working closely with other Housing and Residence Life staff members to develop and maintain an atmosphere that promotes community through excellence in academics, inclusion, and personal development opportunities for students.  As an employee of Housing and Residence Life, each Resident Assistant will support the TCU and HRL mission statements, and adhere to, administer, and enforce policies and procedures as outlined in the RA Code of Ethics, Housing Contract and Student Handbook.

Directed Goals and Expectations of the Resident Assistant Position

Appointment and Contract Period 

• Resident Assistants are employed for a 10 month period, beginning August 6, 2010 and ending May 20, 2011 and are expected to participate in all hall preparation including opening and closing procedures.
• Resident Assistants will attend and participate in weekly staff meetings, on-call rotations, meetings with your Hall Director (HD), and regular staff trainings including staff development, staff holiday party and end of the year banquet.
• Resident Assistants will be at least at sophomore standing and have one full year of college experience.
• Resident Assistants will be in good judicial standing with the University and Housing and Residence Life.
• Resident Assistants’ student account will be in good standing. If a financial hold appears, the Resident Assistant will be contacted and given a deadline to resolve account standing. Failure to resolve the hold may result in termination.
• Resident Assistants taking one semester away from the position are eligible to be placed back into the candidate pool the following semester, provided he or she is in good standing with the University and Housing and Residence Life. Resident Assistants taking a year away from the position wishing to return, should they have left in good standing with Housing and Residence Life, will be handled on a case by case basis through the Assistant or Associate Directors of Housing and Residence Life.

Supervision

• Resident Assistants will receive consistent supervision through regular meetings and conversations from one of 11 Hall Directors and be employed in a hall based on individual staffing needs.
• Hall Directors are professional staff members that live in the building and provide support to on-campus residents.  They serve as a guide, sharing their expertise with students and student staff.
  
  

Training Requirements

• Attendance at both Fall and Spring Training is required for employment. Absences from training must be discussed with and approved by the Assistant or Associate Directors of Housing and Residence Life prior to training. 
• RA Seminar is offered for our first-year staff members.  This is offered during the spring semester.
• Fall 2010 Training - August, 2010
• Spring 2011 Training – January, 2011
  
  

 Compensation

• New Resident Assistants: Single room based on availability. Silver Meal Plan.
• Returning Resident Assistants: Single room based on availability. Gold Meal Plan.
• Resident Assistants will receive a monetary stipend for both Fall and Spring training.
• The opportunity to work additional hours at each Hall Office (work study preferred).
  
  

Academic Qualifications 

• Resident Assistants must have a 2.75 cumulative GPA and be in good academic standing at time of application through term of employment.
• Resident Assistants must be a full time student (12 credit hours per semester) at time of application through term of employment.
• First semester RAs may not take more than15 credit hours of academic coursework.
• All exceptions to the academic qualifications must be submitted in writing to the Associate or Assistant Directors of Residence Life.
  
  

Time Commitments and Outside Involvement  

• Time commitments exceeding 15 credit hours of coursework and 10 hours of extracurricular activity must be approved through the Hall Director and Associate or Assistant Directors of Residence Life.
• Resident Assistants will live in the building and be regularly accessible to staff and residents throughout the year. 
• Resident Assistants will participate in a duty rotation, including all University breaks and Holidays.
• Any extended time away that is more 24 hours must be approved in advance by the Hall Director.
• The Resident Assistant will inform the Hall Director when absent for any overnight period.
• Resident Assistants will participate in weekly one-on-ones and staff meetings.
  
  

Studying Abroad 

• Resident Assistants who choose to study abroad must let Housing and Residence Life know within two months before studying abroad in time to coordinate staffing for the next semester or year.
• Resident Assistants who choose to study abroad will be placed back into the available candidate pool for the coming semester.
• Resident Assistants who study abroad, while placed back into the applicant pool, are not guaranteed a position for the semester they return given space and hiring restrictions.