The qualifications of RA candidates

The responsibilities and benefits of being an RA

How the selection process works

How to apply

Answers to your questions

Overview

Enrich the Northwestern experience

Develop student leaders (RAs, Hall Government Officers) Create and support many living environments and engagement programs

Further student learning

Provide educational opportunities (Safety education, community standards, student development firesides)

Support students who are in crisis or facing emergency situations Meet with students who violate University policies

Advance social justice

Create inclusive and socially just learning environments for all members of the Northwestern University community.

What is Residential Services?

Must be enrolled full-time at Northwestern for all

three quarters of the academic year in which they will work (undergraduate or graduate)

Must have lived in the residence halls for at least one quarter

Must have a quarterly and overall GPA of at least 2.50

Must be in good conduct standing with Northwestern

RA candidate qualifications

Community development

Educate residents & confront violations of policy

Safety and Security

What does a RA do?

RA Responsibilities: Community Development

Establish and maintain community standards

Plan activities with residents

Support and collaborate with Hall Government

RA Responsibilities: Educate & Confront Residents

Group meetings with residents throughout the year

Active (programs, firesides), passive (flyers, emails)

Confront and report residents who violate University policy

Develop & uphold community standards

On duty 8 PM to 8 AM approximately twice per

week

Teach residents to submit maintenance requests

Provide emergency & crisis intervention

Network with campus safety personnel (University Police, Community Service officers, upper administration)

RA Responsibilities: Safety & Security

Pre-service spring staff orientation and fall training

programs; monthly in-service programs

Daily: 1-3 hours

Weekly: approximately 20 hours/week, including desk shifts

Quarterly: first to arrive, last to depart

Each Quarter: Limited number of campus activities; can request up to 15 days away (5 nights/quarter)

RA Responsibilities: Time Commitments

Appropriate social media presence (Residential

Services)

Under 21? Cannot be in the presence of alcohol (Residential Services)

Relationship Policy (Student Affairs)

Mandated Reporter (Illinois DCFS)

Confidentiality Policy (Federal Law)

RA Responsibilities: Role Modeling & Mandates

Room and board (a $13,329 value in 2013-2014)

A room alone on campus! (no roommates!)

Weekly meal plan

Room phone service and voice mail (approximately a $164 per year value)

Ability to purchase an NU “R” parking permit

RA Compensation

The Financial Aid Office reduces the aid of RAs by

the average room and board figure used for financial aid

With permission during the winter & spring quarters, first year RAs may request to hold a work study position

For more specific information, please contact the Financial Aid Office

If you receive financial aid…

Any questions about RA responsibilities and/or candidate

requirements?

RA Selection Process: 2-Step Process & Timeline

Decision

letters

Feb. 26

Group Process

Feb. 6, 7 or 8

(5 hours)

RA application, video, and references due Jan. 17

Candidate acceptance by March 5th

Northwestern.edu/living

1. The RA application can be found at Northwestern.edu/living

2. 9 sections:

A. Personal Information

B. Campus Living & Involvement

C. Leadership & Volunteer Experience: (What skills did you acquire?)

D. Employment Experience (What were your duties?)

E. Community Preferences

F. Reflective Essays (3 essays plus one-minute video)

G. Feedback Forms (Who will you ask to complete these?)

H. Marketing Survey (How did you learn about the opportunity?)

I. Interviews and Workshops

The RA Application

3 Community Preferences: Location, Size, & Building Type

Location: North, South, no preference

Size: small, medium, large building

Building Type: Freshman, Upper-class (includes mixed), Female, Male, Special Interest, no preference

What’s this about a 1-minute video?

In 60 seconds or less, tell us why you want to be a RA

Be creative ! Your video MUST be

available as a YouTube link

Optional opportunity:

Meet with representatives from The Writing Place to have your application essays

reviewed

Drop in anytime on December 3rd 8:30-10:00 PM

Allison 1021

RA Candidate Essay Review

Candidates may participate in this optional

workshop:

January 28, 5:00-6:30 PM*

January 29, 6:00-7:30 PM*

January 30, 5:30-7:00 PM*

* The location of the workshop will be emailed to participants who choose one of these dates in their online RA application

RA Interview Skills Workshop

Any questions?