Under the supervision of a Residence Director, a Resident Assistant (RA) serves a residence hall floor by cultivating an environment that fosters community through caring relationships, an attitude of service, words of encouragement, and a willingness to lovingly discuss breakdowns in integrity. An RA works to create relationally and physically safe places for students to be supported and challenged to engage in authentic relationships in order to live out the body of Christ and grow in His likeness.
RA Position Description
- As the leader on the floor encourage floor members’ growth toward wholeness in Christ, maturity in thought, speech and behavior, and in their understanding of living together as members of Christ’s Body.
- Listen and respond to student concerns, making referrals to other campus resources when necessary.
- Develop relationships with each student on the floor and organize regular floor fellowships or community building events.
- RAs in Fischer and Smith-Traber should plan opportunities for the brother-sister floors to develop relationships with each other.
- Meet weekly with the RD or GRA for further training, advice and support.
- Meet weekly with your hall staff for training, support and continued development.
- Cultivate relationships of mutual support and encouragement with residence hall staff members through weekly team meetings and through informal contacts.
- Work collaboratively with other community leaders (i.e CLC/UCC/DSG) on your floor to help build, shape and program in your living area.
- Clarify and hold students accountable to follow the procedures, policies, and traditions of the residence hall and of Wheaton College.
- Schedule concentrated relationship-building time, while supervising the residence hall, one night per week (Sunday-Thursday) and one weekend night (Friday-Saturday) every other week from 7:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.
- Manage the check-in, check-out, maintenance requests, finances, posting of information and open floors for a floor of 15-55 students.
- Participate in the fall semester RA Class called “Student Care and College Ministry.”
- Attend the January Residence Life retreat that centers on refocusing and reflection.
- Other duties as assigned by the Residence Director
Qualifications
- Evidence of Christian character and commitment
- Must understand and support the Community Covenant
- Must have no other major time commitments beyond being a student and an RA
- Clear communication skills
- Leadership potential
- A desire to encourage students to develop into whole and effective servants of Christ
- Ability to relate to students and staff
- 3rd year junior or 4th year senior
- Not on chapel or disciplinary probation
- Maintain a minimum 2.3 cumulative GPA
- Be a full-time degree seeking undergraduate student with a maximum 16 credit load