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RA Application Revamped

Amanda Bernocco Staff Writer

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Christina Morgera

The Office of Residence Life has shortened the application process for Resident Assistants (RA) in order to make it much more comfortable for students applying for the position.

Some of these changes include eliminating the step where the applicants act as RAs for a week. Now, applicants must send in a personal statement addressing who they are and what makes them an ideal candidate as an RA. Additionally, the applicants must share an experience that shaped them and how they would be an asset to the residence community.

Also, the group process, which used to occur in the middle of the application process, has been moved to the beginning. In the past, Residence Life realized that students who were interviewed after the group process were much more comfortable come time for their scheduled interview, according to Jennifer Fuoco, director of the Office of Residence Life. She added that the RAs and Resident House Directors (RHDs) have also begun conducting interviews on weekends to shorten the process from three weeks to just four days.

The interview process used to be done on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., which is why it took so long. Now the interviews occur over the weekend as well, which shortens the time span and allows applicants to find out if they got the job sooner.

There are currently 77 paraprofessional staff members in Residence Life, which includes RAs and Senior Resident Assistants (SRAs).

“The application process was fun as well as challenging. There were other good candidates but I really gave it my all,” said Natalie Villanueva, a junior Broadcast major who recently became an RA in Post Hall, wing 2W. She worked her first duty day (shift as an RA) on Thursday, March 28.

Villanueva explained the group process, which was broken down into three steps. The first part is conducted to gauge their teamwork skills. The candidates, according to Villanueva, played a game to get to know the other candidates.

The second part is called case studies, which requires applicants to solve problems in situations similar to those they would handle as RAs.

The final step requires the applicant to define themselves in order to show that they possess the qualities needed to be an RA.

“An RA serves a resource for the residents on their floor. They can answer questions about cam- pus policies, how to get involved, which offices can help you with a specific concern, etcetera,” said Fuoco, “In addition, they work to make sure residents in their as- signed residence hall are safe and able to live in a respectful community which supports their academic success.”

Some RAs at Post are excited by the challenge of being RA and are there to help the students in their residence hall whether they are on duty or not. They show excitement towards making programs and hosting activities for those who reside in their halls.

“RAs can answer questions about campus policies, how to get involved, which offices can help you with a specific concern, etcetera,” said Fuoco, “In addition, they work to make sure residents in their assigned residence hall are safe and able to live in a respectful community which supports their academic success.”

Some RAs at Post are excited by the challenge of being RA and are there to help the students in their residence hall whether they are on duty or not. They show excitement towards making programs and hosting activities for those who reside in their halls.

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