Chapters 2, 3, 15 Roles and Responsibilities of the RA RA Good Practices Community Development.

Chapters 2, 3, 15Roles and Responsibilities

of the RARA Good Practices

Community Development

Skills of an RA

• Conceptual Application- understanding of human development

• Counseling• Basic Information about campus• Administrative- time management, paperwork,

disciplinary, etc• Teaching (programming and role-modeling)• Leadership• Crisis Management• Relational- understanding yourself and others

Roles of an RA

1. Student2. Role Model3. Problem Solver4. Conflict Mediator5. Campus Resource6. Trained Observer7. Community Builder8. Group Facilitator9. Counselor10. Administrator

First Impressions• The RA is the first resident of their section, they

must set the tone for the other residents. • RAs must create a welcoming floor• RAs must learn about their residents

• The Red Zone: first two weeks of school, time in which new students are most vulnerable but also open to new experiences.

Challenges during the Welcome Process

• Establishing rules

• Enforcing rules

• Being available for residents

• Managing time for studies and personal space

• Confidentiality

Avoiding Burnout

• Learn what your stressors are:• Family• Friends• Job• Money• Classes• Fear of Failure

• Find techniques to deal with your stressors

12 Institutional Factors that are important for student success in

college (Kuh et all)1. A clear, focused institutional mission2. High standards for student performance3. Support for students to explore human difference and emerging

dimensions of self4. Emphasis on early months and first year of study5. Respect for diverse talents6. Integration of prior learning and experience7. Ongoing practice of learned skills8. Active learning9. Assessment and feedback10. Collaboration among students11. Adequate time on task12. Out-of-class contact with faculty

Highlighted indicates this factor is typically present in Residence Halls

Principles for Good Practices for Student Affairs

1. Engages students in active learning2. Helps students develop coherent values and ethical

standards3. Sets and communicates high expectations for student

learning4. Uses systematic inquiry to improve student and

institutional performance5. Uses resources effectively to achieve institutional

missions and goals6. Forges educational partnerships that advance student

learning7. Builds supportive and inclusive communities

PG 57-58 learn these principles!

RAs are Committed to

• Residents: – engaging in learning– Involvement– Multiculturalism– Ethic of caring

• Self– Being a student– Learning from the RA

experience

• Residence Life– Ethics– Professional Staff– Training

Building Community • Community= a sense of attachment to a

group and a set of values that are commonly shared within a group

• RA’s Goal: To build a strong community!

To Build Community

• Step 1. Define the physical space of your community- – where does your community end?

• Step 2. Create shared experiences for your residents

University Housing Requirements that help build community

• Welcome Banners, decorations

• Mandatory Section Meeting to Introduce rules, staff, etc.

• Staff Programming Requirements

Tools that help to Build Community

• A welcoming environment (includes decorations, how the RA presents his or her self and how the RA introduces themselves to the community.)

• Residents knowing each others’ names– A person’s name is the sweetest and most important sound in any

language to them. • Bulletin Boards and Banners that encourage residents to interact• Ask for resident’s input in planning programs• Planning programs that engage students and encourage them to interact and

get to know each other.• Understanding any special community involved (honors, band, etc)• Section Meetings and Team builders• Posting general information about the RA to allow residents to get to know

them. • Online groups on Social Networking sites • Many more! Be creative.

Community Photos

• www.facebook.com/southeasternuniversityhousing