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A Resident Assistant (commonly shortened
to "RA") is a trained student leader, within a college or
university, charged with supervising typically less-senior
students living in a residence hall. The RA selection and
training processes, while varying from college to college, are
usually quite rigorous and intense.
Commonly RAs are the most direct liaisons
between a school's student affairs administration and its
student body. Tangible benefits of the RA position are generally
intended as means of improving/increasing the RA's ability to
identify and address the needs of their residents, as well as a
way to compensate for the increased responsibility and demands
on time that the RA agrees to accept by virtue of the position.
These benefits vary greatly from institution to institution, and
may include a single residence hall room (for assured privacy
when counseling other students), guaranteed parking permits, and
financial compensation. Arguably more important are the
intangible benefits of the RA position, which include training
in crisis-management, negotiation and advocacy, advertising,
time-management, etc. RAs are often prepared, by virtue of the
demands of their position, 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.
Typically RAs are assigned "duty" periods during
which they must patrol a residence hall or campus area to ensure
that any maintenance or facilities-related issues are addressed,
that institutional policies are being observed, and generally to
ensure that the residence hall is an environment supportive of
the educational pursuits of the students. An RA is also expected
to be available to offer support for students encountering
issues such as roommate conflicts, depression, and alcohol or
drug abuse on a day-to-day basis.
RAs often are required to plan and facilitate
events (often called Programs) 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 watching movies, to educational
programs where a topic is explored or a skill (eg: cooking,
laundry, time-management, etc.) is taught. These programs are
usually designed to build community between residents, help
resident develop academic skills, hone leadership skills, or
simply encourage personal growth and understanding in a
particular area.
RAs are often stereotyped as "goody-goodies,"
"killjoys," "the dorm police," or "sellouts," among other
things, as they are generally required to enforce unpopular
policies, especially those involving alcohol, and abstain from
breaking these policies themselves. This is not always the case
and many are simply average students who have chosen to accept a
heightened degree of responsibility for the well-being of the
college environment.
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