RESIDENT ASSISTANTS @ Cabrini

OVERVIEW:

Resident Assistants, or RAs (Resident Assistants), are vital within the University as they are involved in direct and extended contact with resident students. The Resident Assistants are typically the foundation of the hall to which they have been assigned and, as representatives of the University, are interested and trained individuals who are available for advice, counsel, support, and encouragement. RAs serve as role models, mentors, peer-advisors, and programmers. They develop community among resident students and uphold our shared community standards. The RA (RESIDENT ASSISTANT) role is crucial to the residential experience, but it is also fun and rewarding and provides some very real leadership skills.

To be an RA, please apply, link is found below. We advise you to look at all the information below to ensure you understand the position and all the requirements necessary to apply.

ELIGIBILITY & BENEFITS:

At the time of application, the following must be true for the applicant:

Be in good academic standing. Maintain a 2.5 GPA each term and an overall 2.5 GPA.
Be enrolled as a full-time student (12 credits minimum) for each semester employed, except with written permission from the Director of Residence Life.
Be in good financial standing with the University and remain current with all financial obligations.
Be in good judicial standing with the University. Any discipline action from the date of offer may jeopardize the offer.
You must be able to attend all training dates, staff meetings, and in-services as well as all hall openings and closings and other dates as specified in the RA Leadership Agreement. Training is scheduled in mid August two weeks prior to residential move in.
For continuity, all candidates are expected to apply for the full academic year.
Must complete one semester at Cabrini before the start of summer training.
Living on campus for one semester prior to summer training is preferred.
Be available for evening and weekend duty coverage.
Be committed to supporting the residential community and to the Resident Assistant position by limiting time to additional work commitments, clubs and organizations, and other personal interests
Willing to support the University Mission, Office of Residence Life, and Cabrini University students.

ROOM & BOARD AWARD:

While appointed, the RA shall receive a full room (private room in most cases) and a meal plan per term in the form of the RA Award through Financial Aid. Meals will be provided when residence halls are open and / during early arrival for RA trainings/ workshops, or any special assignments.
RAs are allowed to select their meal plan that best fits their social and academic life. RAs are restricted to changes of their meal plan according to the dates set by the University.

Parking Permit: RAs who choose to have a car on campus may apply for a Parking Permit free of charge. This does not guarantee a parking space or additional parking privileges and can be revoked for violating any policies or abuse of privileges.

Resident Assistant Recruitment Website

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a Resident Assistant?

A Resident Assistant (RA) is a student leader on campus who builds community with their designated residence hall. They plan programs, provide duty coverage, enforce housing policies, and create a safe and inclusive living environment. For more information on the RA position at Cabrini, please review the Resident Assistant Job Description.

What are the qualifications of being an RA?

Applicants must be in good academic, financial, and judicial standing with Cabrini University. They must maintain an overall 2.5 GPA or above, be enrolled as a full-time student (12 credits minimum) and have been a resident at Cabrini for at least a semester. Applicants should be committed in supporting a residential community and balancing the position out with other work/extracurricular (maximum 20 hours outside position).

What do I need to do to apply to be an RA?

Attend an info session as seen on flyers across campus. There, you will learn more about the position and the application packet. In the application packet, you’ll need the application, resume, 2 references, and responses to short answer questions.

What are the benefits of being an RA?

Room and board will be covered. RAs will also gain valuable leadership experience transferrable to various career paths.

What is the RA Application Process Like?

The process includes initial application packet submission, individual interview process, group interview process, and then final decision letters sent out.

What are Graduate Assistants?

Each staff works with a Graduate Assistant (GA) as their supervisor. These professional staff members supervise and mentor each RA staff. GAs manage their buildings and communities and plan staff meetings and other events with the RAs. They oversee RA programs and the overall leadership development of RAs. These professionals are one of the RA’s biggest resources.

Do I get to choose where I will be an RA?

The Office of Residence Life is interested in appointing the most qualified and prepared RA staff as possible. Therefore, RAs are selected for their ability to do the job well, regardless of specific area placement. RAs are placed in the population or environment with which they would have the most success.

If I’m not selected this year, can I apply again next year?

Absolutely! The Office of Residence Life strongly believes that students grow and develop over the course of their college experience. You may be more prepared for the challenges of the RA job in another year and we welcome learning how you’ve developed and practiced your leadership skills.

What happens after I’m appointed?

If you are selected as an RA, you will receive appointment and placement notification on or before March 10, 2023. You will have until March 20, 2023 to inform the Office of Residence Life of your intent to accept or decline the position. If you accept the position, you’ll be invited to attend a full-staff orientation of all RAs later in the spring semester. At this time, you’ll review and sign the RA Work Agreement and Code of Ethics for the RA position and receive information about Fall Training. Finally, you will return to campus for the fall semester approximately two weeks early in order to attend Fall Training.

Do I have to re-apply to be an RA every year?

The RA position is a year-to-year position. We welcome the return of RAs for multiple years but do not guarantee it. RAs are formally evaluated on a yearly basis. A different more abbreviated interview process will be held in the years to follow.

I’m interested in going abroad at some point in my college experience. Can I go abroad while I’m an RA?

The Office of Residence Life appoints Resident Assistants for a full year. As it is in the best interest of our residential students, we ask all RAs to make a full year commitment. Therefore, it is generally not possible to go abroad the year that you serve as an RA.

I have been involved in an incident. How should I handle this during the RA selection process?

RAs are asked to be role models for their residents, which means that RAs should follow University and Residence Hall policies. However, we also believe that the Community Standards process should be an educational one. The Office of Residence Life will use incident history as part of the RA Selection process. If you have a Community Standards history, it is recommended that you be prepared to discuss what you have learned from that experience. Please keep in mind that from this point on, future Community Standards situations may significantly impact your candidacy.

Are there multiple “cuts” in the RA process?

No. The Office of Residence Life is interested in learning as much about our potential RAs as possible. We look at your entire candidacy, including the application, recommendation forms, and your participation in the Individual Interview & Group Process.

What if I’m not cut out to be a leader?

Leadership comes in all different types, and there is not one definition of what a leader is. The Office of Residence Life accepts all different types of students who are willing to grow and learn what their own individual leadership style is like.