Last mandatory RA recruitment information sessions to be held Jan. 16

Ohio University’s Department of Housing and Residence Life is recruiting resident assistants (RAs) for the 2018-19 academic year and will be holding its last mandatory information sessions for students interested in this employment and leadership opportunity on the first day of spring semester.

Students interested in becoming an RA and who did not attend one of the information sessions held during fall semester must attend one of two sessions being held on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Those sessions are scheduled for 6 and 7 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room in Jefferson Hall. During the sessions, students will be provided information on what the job of an RA entails, what the department’s expectations are and what sort of time commitment is expected of an RA. 

RAs are Housing and Residence Life student staff members who are responsible for a floor or living area within a residence hall. As the front-life staff member in their assigned area, RAs serve as mentors and guides to their residents, initiating relationships with them, encouraging their participation in the hall community and educating them on University and departmental policies. RAs also assist their residents with personal and academic concerns, mediate interpersonal conflicts and serve as an informational resource.

“RAs are known for policy enforcement,” said Sarah Oleksy, OHIO’s director of Residence Life, “but they do so much more than that. They help students academically and socially and serve as referral agents, directing students to resources designed to ensure their success.”

To be eligible to become an RA, students must meet the following criteria:

Have completed at least two semesters of on-campus living – either at OHIO or another institution – or other approved similar experiences prior to their start date

• Be enrolled as a full-time student for the 2018-19 academic year
• Be in good standing with the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility, as well as the Department of Housing and Residence Life
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above, which must be maintained throughout their employment
• Attend an information session

RAs are compensated for their service to the University, receive training and are provided professional and leadership development opportunities. In addition to having 100 percent of their room costs waived, RAs receive a stipend per academic year. This year’s stipend was $3,158.

OHIO students interested in applying to become an RA will be provided application information at the information sessions. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19. Interviews will be held Feb. 5-10 with final hiring decisions slated to be made Feb. 26 through March 2.

For more information about the RA hiring process, click here or email rarecruitment@ohio.edu.