Employment and Involvement

The benefits of being a Resident Assistant at Southeastern include a scholarship in the amount of the student’s room, default meal plan charge, and stipend each semester. Arguably more important are the intangible benefits of the RA position, which include training in crisis management, negotiation, advocacy, time management, etc. RAs are often prepared to make successful transitions from the college environment to the job market since they can demonstrate leadership training, management skills, and community involvement as part of their collegiate experience.

• Full-time enrollment in a degree program
• Be in good academic (not on academic probation), financial (not in arrears with your University account) and student conduct (not on conduct probation or have any outstanding sanctions) standing with the University
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5

Resident Assistants are responsible for office functions, administrating, and participating as a team member within their residence hall.  RAs are responsible for performing a variety of front desk, clerical, and customer service functions.

The description of duties, which follows, provides a general outline of the responsibilities of a Resident Assistant.  RAs are assigned to one of the University residence halls.  Specific duties assigned vary depending on the needs of the residence hall and student population.

Community Building

Resident Assistants are required to plan and facilitate events for the residents in order to enhance the living community within the hall. These programs can take almost any form, ranging from community service projects, to social events such as games and outdoor events, to educational programs where a topic is explored or a skill (ex: cooking, laundry, time-management, etc.) is taught. These programs follow the SLU Programming Model: Spontaneous Programming, Learning & Educational Programming, and University Life & Campus Involvement.

Administrative Duties

• Maintains and enforce residence hall and university policies
• Assists in opening and closing of the residence halls
• Complete room inspections
• Complete weekly office/satellite hours
• Participate in an on-call duty rotation
• Maintain awareness of problems residents may be experiencing and assists as appropriate
• Responds to emergency situations
• Possess a working knowledge of campus facilities, services and resources
• Serve as a mediator when a roommate conflict arises

Participating as a Team Member

• Participate in fall and spring RA training
  • Fall Training Session in August
  • Spring Training Session in January
  • In Service Trainings when need
• Communicate on a regular basis with your Area Coordinator (AC) and building staff members
• Attend 1 on 1 meetings with AC and weekly staff meetings
• Shows knowledge of, personally abides by, and helps enforce the university’s policies and procedures
• Aligns priorities so that the job responsibilities take precedence over personal commitments
• Maintains standards of personal and professional conduct and serves as role model for students and other residence hall staff.

Overall, RAs are college students who have chosen to accept a heightened degree of responsibility for enhancing the college environment, while taking the opportunity to influence the overall wellbeing and Southeastern experience for the resident student population.

• RAs must complete all training programs required by University Housing. These training programs include but are not limited to: Fall Training, Spring Training, and In-Service Education.
• RAs are required to report prior to other students arriving and stay after the residence halls close. RAs may be expected to work through University holidays including, Fall Break, Thanksgiving, Spring Break, Mardi Gras and Easter.
• All RAs must have taken LT 301 prior to their first semester as an RA and complete the course with no less than a C or 70%.  

If you are interested in gaining permission to take the RA class, Leadership Training 301, please send an email to [email protected]. Enrollment for the RA class is limited, you will be notified if you are given permission to enroll for the upcoming semester.