Resident Assistant

An RA/AA’s responsibilities include the following:  

1. RAs/AAs serve as a positive role model for staff and students through their personal, academic and professional pursuits.  

2. RA/AAs, as role models for students, must know and adhere to the Ithaca College Student Conduct Code, Residential Life Rules and Regulations, RA/AA Manual policies and procedures, Alcohol and Diversity Expectations and Office procedures. 

3. RAs/AAs confront and document students who are in violation of the Student Conduct Code and/or Residential Life Rules and Regulations, and provide follow-up with documented students after the incident. 

4. RAs/AAs respond to and manage crises/emergency response in residential areas, including facility and student emergencies. 

5. RAs/AAs serve as an initial source of support for students who are experiencing personal, mental health, or academic concerns. RAs/AAs act as a referral source for such offices as Counseling and Psychological Services, Career Services, Case Management, Hammond Health Center, Academic Enrichment Services, Center for LGBT Education, Outreach and Services, Student Accessibility Services, etc.  

6. RAs/AAs support and mentor peers and help students to develop intellectually, socially, and culturally. 

7. RAs/AAs are available and visible in their communities.  RA/AAs are expected to spend the night in their assigned rooms unless supervisor has approved time away from the building  

8. RAs/AAs complete all community development event planning and programming requirements, including associated administrative responsibilities. RAs/AAs will utilize a number of strategies for student engagement and community development including both in person and virtual communication.   

9. RAs/AAs acknowledge, welcome, support and include all forms of difference represented in the residence hall and apartment communities. RAs/AAs actively challenge and report acts of bias, intolerance and hate.   

10. RAs/AAs keep supervisors advised on all roommate conflicts, room changes, damages and disciplinary problems in the building, cluster or apartment area. This includes in a virtual environment.  

11. RAs/AAs participate in and attend spring staff orientation, online RA Training during the summer, and Fall and Winter/Spring training periods.  Exact dates of these training periods will be confirmed by the Office of Residential Life. All RA/AAs are expected to attend each of these training sessions in their entirety.  

12. RAs/AAs participate in required in-service training sessions as outlined in the in-service guidelines, including associated administrative responsibilities.  

13. RAs/AAs attend all weekly staff meetings, weekly individual meetings and other appropriate meetings determined by their supervisor.  

14. RAs/AAs participate in various Residential Life processes and committees including RA Selection & Training, professional staff interviews, RA Advisory Board and Inclusion & Social Justice Committee. 

15. RAs/AAs participate in a formal staff evaluation process. Re-appointment or continuation in the position is dependent on satisfactory evaluation of the RA/AA's performance. RA/AAs wishing to return for a second or third year must complete the Request to return process.  

16. RAs/AAs participate in rotating room and office duty for their area and/or building on designated evenings and weekends, as outlined in the RA Manual. 

17. RAs/AAs participate in opening and closing of residence halls at each break period and at the beginning and end of the academic year at the direction of the RA/AA supervisor.  RA/AAs are expected to stay late and return early from designated breaks and will remain on campus through the end of their contract to close the residence halls and apartments (typically the Monday following Commencement).  

18. RAs/AAs perform administrative tasks related to department processes and residence hall functions, completing all paperwork accurately and meeting all deadlines.  

19. RAs/AAs report and follow-up on any maintenance, facility, and housekeeping issues in their building/area.  

20. RAs/AAs actively participate and support their cluster staff team. 

21. RAs/AAs maintain a positive attitude supportive of the department and staff team. 

22. RAs/AAs maintain privacy and confidentiality within the department/staff structure. 

23. RAs/AAs complete other duties as assigned. 

Our mission as a department includes a goal of developing community in the residence halls. That community should be one where all members feel comfortable and where we can develop a positive relationship with residents. In order to reach this goal in the area of diversity, it is important that staff members are aware of the unique situation we are in to impact educational efforts in diversity.

The following expectations apply to all of us who work in the department. Be open to discussing these expectations with your supervisor should she or he express a concern, or if you have a concern about them. The "inappropriate actions/behaviors" described by these expectations include reference to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or handicap which may cause a state of physical or mental distress for a resident or a group of residents; maligns a resident or group of residents (e.g., expressing "evil" with malicious or hurtful intent); is a slur against a resident or group of residents; demonstrates authority unjustly over a resident or group of residents; causes a resident or group of residents to feel unwelcome in the community; otherwise exerts intolerance.

• Support one another's efforts in confronting inappropriate behaviors and educating about diversity.
• Undertake equal outreach to all community members (even those different than you).
• Staff will not initiate inappropriate behaviors or actions (tell a racial joke, etc.).
• Professional staff will accept responsibility for educating other staff members about diversity and will continue to offer and require training about diversity, and to provide training and support to those ready to confront inappropriate behaviors.
• Be sensitive to what you hang or display in your room, apartment, or office.
• When you encounter inappropriate behavior, do not participate (e.g., do not encourage more, do not laugh). Make your supervisor aware of what has happened.
• Report acts of bias-related graffiti or vandalism immediately to Public Safety and your supervisor or the RD on duty.
• Own your own thoughts and behaviors related to these issues and move toward self-understanding, acceptance, and change.
• Programming: strive for inclusive programming and inclusive publicity.
• Use a consistent standard when making decisions regarding disciplinary confrontations (i.e. confronting noise level, not the kind of music being played, confront behaviors consistently, do not react differently based on race, religion, gender, etc.).

All Residential Life staff members are involved in educating students about alcohol. This includes communicating about appropriate attitudes and behaviors concerning alcohol use. Role modeling and follow through in daily activities is imperative. The department has established the following expectations related to alcohol use that are primary to being a good role model:

• RAs under the age of 21 are prohibited from possessing or consuming alcohol on campus.
• Do not engage in alcohol-related activities that are in violation of College policy or state law.
• Do not serve alcohol to any student under 21 years of age. Staff members who are 21 years of age or older who choose to serve alcohol to students 21 years of age or older must model and require the responsible use of alcohol.
• Do not encourage, through personal planning, events involving residents where alcohol is the primary focus or motivation to attend.
• Do not condone, by your presence, on-campus events where underage residents are consuming alcohol.
• Do not sponsor programs off-campus where alcohol is served.
• Do not exhibit intoxicated behavior (slurred speech, stumbling, vomiting, etc.) in the residence halls.
• RAs are expected to confront, document and educate residents about the risks and possible consequences of drinking on campus.
• Suggest alternatives to alcohol related events.
• Be aware of the attitudes you show through your own speech and behavior.
• Do not emphasize the use of alcohol.
• Be aware of your own relationship to alcohol, and if you need help, seek someone out.

Staff should refer to the Residential Life Staff manual and/or Programming manual for more information and suggestions on alcohol-free programs. Consultation with supervisors is also recommended as staff implement these expectations within their areas of responsibility.

The Resident Assistant (RA) position at Ithaca College receives credit applied directly to their student account. Compensation is applied first to room expenses and any balance then applied to board, then tuition/fees. While it is not considered financial aid per se, the value of the remission must, for many students, be treated in the same fashion as other financial assistance. Since each student's financial aid package is different, the RA position will affect each student differently. This is why we strongly encourage each individual to contact the Student Financial Services Office before completing the application.