Resident Assistants

Each year, the department hires approximately forty-two RAs.  This number includes both new and returning RAs.  While we primarily hire RAs for the academic year, we sometimes have the opportunity to hire a handful of RAs throughout the year when other staff members resign for various reasons.

Applications open every year following fall break and remain open through the first week or so of the spring semester.  All interested candidates should apply during this application period. Those who will be abroad during the spring semester can contact the main contact for the recruitment process if they would prefer to complete their interview prior to leaving for off-campus study.  All other interviews will be completed in the spring. There is no separate application process for candidates interested in mid-year positions.

First-year students are eligible to apply for 2018-19 Academic Year positions as long as they lived on campus during both the Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 semesters.

Yes, RAs are allowed to hold outside jobs (up to 10 hours per week) with written permission from their supervisor.  However, because of time intensive the nature of the RA position, we ask each RA to discuss with their Area Director how they will balance outside jobs and even talk about the number of hours the RA might be working and how that will impact the RA position.  RAs are required to provide their outside work schedules to their supervisors at the start of each semester or more frequently if needed.  The college views the RA compensation as a work stipend and does not permit RAs to participate in the college work study program without permission from their Area Director.

Candidates who are able to complete a full academic year contract and those without substantial academic and/or extracurricular commitments may be given preference over candidates unable to complete a full academic year contract and/or who have substantial academic and/or extracurricular commitments that would limit their availability to their residents and community.  RAs are expected to put academics first, the RA position second, and any other job or extracurricular activity third.

Individuals in their first semester of employment are unable to hold an executive office in a student organizations without prior approval.  Resident Assistants are not able to serve as a co-president for the Earlham Student Government (ESG) during their employment as a Resident Assistant.

We believe your experiences make you who you are. We have all made a bad decision from time to time. As long as you are not currently on any type of academic or social probation, you are considered in good standing and are able to apply. The most important thing we look for is whether or not you have learned from the experience and made positive changes accordingly.

Typically, being an RA doesn’t adversely impact your financial aid package. However, every student’s financial package is unique, so you are strongly encouraged to speak with the Financial Aid Office before accepting a position. You can contact Financial Aid at (765) 983.1217.

In the fall, training is the two weeks before new students arrive for New Student Orientation (NSO).  During this time we help RA’s develop the basic skills needed to lead a group of residents through a successful experience while living on campus.  The training for the spring is an abbreviated version of the fall training, and staff are asked to return a week before the start of spring classes.  Training periods are mandatory, and every RA on staff must go through each training period.

Each RA is required to work a duty shift at least once per week and a couple of weekend duty shifts throughout the semester.  The exact number of nights varies by building.  During a duty shift, an RA has to complete “rounds,” which just consist of walking through their area a few times each night to interact with residents and to ensure residents are safe and the building is secure. 

Each RA is required to be on campus three weekends a month and is required to notify their supervisor of when they will be gone.  Supervisors understand individual circumstances that may require flexibility.  There are some break periods where staff may have to stay later/return earlier—all dates are provided to staff at the time an employment offer is made.

One of the primary roles of an RA is to assist in developing community amongst their residents.  Programming is just a term used to describe the events put on by Residence Life and the RAs.  RAs are required to plan, assist with, and attend various activities for students living in their communities to help develop community and provide resources for residents. Some examples of program topics:  academic, educational, social, community service, multicultural, school-spirit, etc.  RAs will also create opportunities for resident involvement in on-campus activities.  RAs are expected to create programmatic opportunities based around resident interest and the needs evident in their community.