Summary of the RA Position

The Resident Assistant (RA) is an essential member of the UIC Campus Housing staff whose primary roles is to facilitate the social, academic, and personal transition of residential students to the UIC Community. One of the main purposes of residence hall staff is the establishment, maintenance, and support of a positive, healthy, living-learning environment in the halls consistent with the educational mission of the university and the goals of Campus Housing. RAs will also work collaboratively alongside other student staff to partner with programmatic efforts and outreach in Living Learning Communities (LLCs). RAs serve as role models on their floors and in their halls and must be friendly, mature, and responsible. RAs must be comfortable interacting with university officials, faculty, staff, parents, and guests. RAs report directly to a Resident Director and Housing Officer, and indirectly to an Area Coordinator, Assistant Director, Associate Director, and Director of Campus Housing.

General Responsibilities and Duties

1. Develop relationships through intentional interactions with residents per the needs of the community to build community and identify trends within the residence hall/floor. Create a welcoming and supportive environment for residents through intentional programming, bulletin boards and door decs.
2. Communicate regularly with supervisor, staff team, and central office Complete administrative tasks within a timely manner.
3. Attend weekly staff and supervisor meetings, staff trainings, and other Campus Housing related meetings and events, including but not limited to, spring RA Training, Summer Online work, Fall Training, Spring Training.
4. Plan and implement programs that meet the needs of the community, as well as support department initiatives and large-scale programs.
5. Coordinate and assess Living Learning Communities (LLCs), ensuring collaboration with the S/PM and academic partners.
6. Respond to both emergency and non-emergency situations by serving in an on-call rotation to ensure safety, security, and policy enforcement within the residence hall. Submit reports to supervisor with details of incidents. Work a portion of break periods. On call is from 5:00 PM- 8:00 AM on weekdays and 10:00AM-10:00AM on weekends (times may be adjusted during holidays/breaks).
7. Collaborate with Campus Housing in support of hall openings/closings and Open Ensure proper key distribution/collection and submit maintenance requests as needed.
8. Provide departmental and community support related to COVID-19 response within residential communities.
9. Serve on an RA collateral work committee for the department/residence hall/staff
10. Work at a Campus Housing Desk providing customer service to all constituents through desk work, access control, and mail distribution duties.
11. Perform other duties as assigned and as conditions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Be a full-time enrolled degree seeking UIC student, for the academic year
• Have a minimum semester and cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above
• Be in good academic and conduct standing with the University.
• One year of living on campus, or similar experience
• Complete a Criminal Background Check

Study Abroad, Student Teaching, Internship, or other academic related time commitments that would remove you from the campus for extended periods of time are not permitted without approval from the Associate Director of Residence Life. Renewal of the position is contingent upon the Returner Staff Process. RAs must be in good employment standing (i.e. no significant job action) in order to reapply. All dates are subject to change.

This position requires frequent overnight response to student emergencies which includes interrupted sleep and ability to wake up from a phone call while sleeping.

Terms of Agreement

The period of the RA employment is for the full academic year, including Fall training that begins in August prior to the Fall Semester, through the closing after Spring Semester finals period.

• The tentative dates of employment for the 2023-2024 academic year are: Monday, August 7^th, 2023 through May 13, 2024
• RAs will be asked to perform limited RA duties during Summer 2023 in preparation for their start date in August
• UIC residence halls are open on school holidays and RAs must be available during these times. RAs will work with their supervisor(s) to determine the holiday/breaks schedule within their team. RAs must not make significant travel or time-away arrangements without approval from their supervisor; this includes university dates around holiday closures and break periods.

Mandatory/Important Dates – dates are subject to change

RAs are not permitted to participate in other activities throughout trainings, hall open and hall closing dates. RAs must be fully available for the entirety of the following:

• Fall training
• Fall Hall opening
• Fall Hall closing
• Spring Training
• Spring Hall closing

RAs must be available to attend the following additional functions. Dates are subject to change.

• 2023-2024 Staff Welcome Meeting
• RA Move-in Day
• Weekly staff meetings: Mondays from 7:00PM – 9:00PM *RAs are not to take classes during this time*
• Assigned on-call shifts during Thanksgiving, Winter, and/or Spring Break
• Assigned desk shifts during Thanksgiving, Winter, and/or Spring Break
• Student Staff Selection – TBA in Spring semester

Workload & Time Committment

RAs must hold the RA position as their primary non-academic commitment during the employment period. Any additional non-academic commitments taken on during this time, must be approved by the direct supervisor. Because of the high impact nature of this position, it should be understood that work as a staff member in the residence halls is not easily translated into hours worked per day or week and the time spent as a role model is a 24/7 position. RAs must devote an average of 20 hours per a week of regularly scheduled responsibilities (e. g., staff meetings, on-call, time on floor, administrative tasks, etc.). This number may fluctuate each week depending on when the RAs are on-call and the time of the year. RAs are expected to sleep in their own residence hall rooms and be available each night unless a night/time away has been approved by their supervisor.

Course Load

Full time student status, as defined by your UIC academic advisor, is necessary. However, you may not carry more than 18 credit hours per semester. If you need to take more than 18 credit hours per semester, you need to obtain prior approval from your Resident Director. If you know that you will be dropping below full-time status you will need to have a conversation with your Resident Director for approval by supervisor and Associate Director for Residence Life. RAs must maintain good academic and conduct standing.

Time Away

Campus Housing wants to support balance and self-care of each of our RAs. Each RA will be allowed ten (10) nights away per semester, totaling 20 for the academic year. Unused nights away from the fall semester will need to have prior supervisor approval to carrying over to the spring semester. Each night away must be submitted at least one week in advance to your direct supervisor for approval. Approval will be contingent upon building coverage needs and consideration will be given in order requests are received. A night away should be submitted if it is expected that the staff member will not return back to the building by 3:00 am.

RA Placement/Room Assignment

Placement of an RA to a specific building and floor is completed by Residence Life and Campus Housing based on the needs of the community. Residence Life retains the right to change housing assignments at any point during the year.

Outside Employment

Due to the high impact nature of this position, all employment outside of the RA position must be approved by the direct supervisor.

Legal Requirements

As required by the Federal Higher Education Act, also known as the Clery Act, the RAs is considered a Campus Security Authority (CSA) and is required to report all crimes of which they are aware. In this event, the staff member is also required to complete a reporting verification form.
The staff member is a mandated reporter under the Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and is required to report any reasonable cause for concern that a child may be abused or neglected to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The RA/PM is required to sign a statement that acknowledges their mandated reporter status.

Consensual Relationship Policy

RAs should refrain from establishing intimate/dating relationships with residents who live in their community due to the power differential between the student staff member and the resident. Should an intimate relationship develop between an RA/PM and any resident in their community, it should be immediately reported to the Resident Director. See Campus Housing Consensual Relationship policy for further details.

Compensation

RAs are provided with opportunities for personal and professional development through training, in-services, and supervision. RAs are provided a room (located in a highly visible location on the floor within close proximity to residents to promote accessibility and community), stipend, and meal plan (ARC, CTY, CMNS, CMW, JST only). RA staff in apartment communities (MRH, TBH, SSR, and PSR) receive in increased stipend in lieu of meal plan.

• Please note the following:
  • RAs will most likely have a roommate. RAs are able to choose their roommate, however, if they do not, a roommate will be assigned to them.
  • If an RA terminates their position for any reason or is terminated from the position, the RA will be responsible for reimbursing a portion of their stipend, which will be prorated based on the amount of time served in the Resident Assistant position.

Renewal of Position – The Period of Agreement is for one academic year

RAs interested in serving as RAs during the following academic year must go through the returning staff selection process, submitting any application forms as prepared by the Selection Task Force. The process includes several components including the staff member’s fall semester performance evaluation, and any interviews or discussions.

Termination and Disciplinary Procedures

Failure to meet the terms of the RA Position Description, the RA Work Agreement, RA manual and or other written expectations provided to the RA may result in levels of discipline via the Student Staff Accountability process including but not limited to warning, probation, and termination. Should you or the department terminate your contract during the academic year, please be advised that you will lose access to any monies remaining in your meal plan and be moved from your staff room assignment. You will also be held responsible for fulfilling your Housing contract.

Additional Information

The commitment of the University of Illinois to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity requires that decisions involving students and employees be based on individual merit and be free from invidious discrimination in all its forms.
The University of Illinois will not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders and regulations. This nondiscrimination policy applies to admissions, employment, access to and treatment in the University programs and activities.
RAs must be in good conduct and employment standing (i.e. no significant job action) in order to reapply.

Applications are due by 11:59 PM December 18, 2022.

Summary of the PM Position

The Peer Mentor (PM) is an essential member of the UIC Campus Housing staff whose primary role is to assist first-year students as they transition, particularly academically, to the university and to Campus Housing. One of the main purposes of residence hall staff is the establishment, maintenance, and support of a positive, healthy, living-learning environment in the halls consistent with the educational mission of the university and the goals of Campus Housing. PMs must be friendly, mature, responsible, and articulate. PMs must be comfortable interacting with university officials, faculty, parents, and guests. PMs report directly to a Resident Director and/or Grad Assistant, and indirectly to a Senior Peer Mentor, Housing Officer, Assistant Director, Associate Director, and Director of Campus Housing. PMs work collaboratively with all Campus Housing staff.

General Responsibilities and Duties

1. Work directly with living learning communities and support residents in those spaces.
2. Develop relationships through intentional interactions with residents in the LLC. Create a welcoming and supportive environment for residents through engagement opportunities.
3. Communicate regularly with supervisor, staff team, and central office staff. Complete administrative tasks, including but not limited to weekly staff meetings, weekly reports, supervisor meetings, paperwork, and staff trainings.
4. Plan and implement programs that meet the needs of the community, as well as support department initiatives and large-scale programs.
5. Provide benchmarking for LLCs.
6. Follow up with residents’ students who exhibit behaviors that place them at risk of not being retained to university or of not persisting to graduation.
7. Administrative work, including logging all interactions with first year students and LLC residents.
8. Attend department trainings, including but not limited to: spring training, summer online training, fall training, spring training, in-services and staff meetings. Work a portion of break periods.
9. Work at a Campus Housing Desk providing customer service to all constituents through desk work, security post, and mail distribution duties.
10. Engage with faculty and practitioners weekly for LLCs and floors.
11. Collaborate with Campus Housing in support of hall openings/closings and Campus-Wide events.
12. Provide weekly study group/academic integrative experiences for residents.
13. Support residence life team members with matters regarding academic connections.
14. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Be a full time, degree seeking UIC student, enrolled in courses each semester
• One year of living on campus or similar experience
• Pursuing a degree or distinct interests complimentary to the Living Learning Communities (LLCs)
• Have a minimum semester and cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
• Be in good academic and conduct standing with the University.

Study Abroad, Student Teaching, Internship, or other academic related time commitments that would remove you from the campus for extended periods of time are not permitted without approval from the Associate Director of Residence Life. Renewal of your position is contingent upon the Returner Staff Process.

Terms of Agreement

The period of the PM employment is for the full academic year, including Fall training that begins in August prior to the Fall Semester, through the closing after Spring Semester finals period.

• The tentative dates of employment for the 2023-2024 academic year are: Monday, August 7^th, 2023 through May 13, 2024.
• PMs will be asked to perform limited PM duties during Summer 2023 in preparation for their start date in August.
• UIC residence halls are open on school holidays and breaks. PMs must be available during these times. PMs will work with their supervisor(s) to determine the holiday/breaks schedule within their team.  PMs must not make significant travel or time-away arrangements without approval from their supervisor; this includes university dates around holiday closures and break periods.

Mandatory/Important Dates – Dates are subject to change.

PMs are not permitted to participate in other activities throughout trainings, hall open and hall closing dates.  PMs must be fully available for the entirety of the following:

• Fall training
• Fall Hall opening
• Fall Hall closing
• Spring Training
• Spring Hall closing

PMs must be available to attend the following additional functions. Dates are subject to change.

• 2023-2024 Staff Welcome Meeting
• PM Move-in Day
• Weekly staff meetings: Mondays from 7:00PM – 9:00PM *PMs are not to take classes during this time*
• Assigned desk shifts during Thanksgiving, Winter, and/or Spring Break
• Student Staff Selection – TBA in Spring semester

Workload & Time Commitment

PMs must hold the PM position as their primary non-academic commitment during the employment period. Any additional non-academic commitments taken on during this time, must be approved by the direct supervisor. Because of the high impact nature of this position, it should be understood that work as a staff member in the residence halls is not easily translated into hours worked per day or week and the time spent as a role model is a 24/7 position. PMs must devote an average of 20 hours per a week of regularly scheduled responsibilities (e. g., staff meetings, tutoring hours, time on floor, administrative tasks, etc.). This number may fluctuate each week depending on the time of the year. PMs are expected to sleep in their own residence hall rooms and be available each night unless a night/time away has been approved by their supervisor.

Course Load

Full time student status, as defined by your UIC academic advisor, is necessary. However, you may not carry more than 18 credit hours per semester. If you need to take more than 18 credit hours per semester, you need to obtain prior approval from your supervisor. If you know that you will be dropping below full-time status you will need to have a conversation with your supervisor for approval by supervisor and Associate Director for Residence Life. PMs must maintain good academic and conduct standing.

Time Away

Campus Housing wants to support balance and self-care of each of our PMs. Each PM will be allowed ten (10) nights away per semester, totaling 20 for the academic year. Unused nights away from the fall semester will need to have prior supervisor approval to carry over to the spring semester. Each night away must be submitted at least one week in advance to your direct supervisor for approval. Approval will be contingent upon building coverage needs and consideration will be given in order requests are received. A night away should be submitted if it is expected that the staff member will not return back to the building by 3:00 am.

PM Placement/Room Assignment

Placement of an PM to a specific building and floor is completed by Residence Life and Campus Housing based on the needs of the community.  Residence Life retains the right to change housing assignments at any point during the year.

Outside Employment

Due to the high impact nature of this position, all employment outside of the PM position must be approved by the direct supervisor.

Legal Requirements

As required by the Federal Higher Education Act, also known as the Clery Act, the PM is considered a Campus Security Authority (CSA) and is required to report all crimes of which they are aware. In this event, the staff member is also required to complete a reporting verification form.

The staff member is a mandated reporter under the Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and is required to report any reasonable cause for concern that a child may be abused or neglected to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The RA/PM is required to sign a statement that acknowledges their mandated reporter status.

Consensual Relationship Policy

PMs should refrain from establishing intimate/dating relationships with residents who live in their community due to the power differential between the student staff member and the resident. Should an intimate relationship develop between an RA/PM and any resident in their community, it should be immediately reported to the Resident Director. See Campus Housing Consensual Relationship policy for further details.

Compensation

PMs are provided with opportunities for personal and professional development through training, in-services and supervision. PMs are provided a room (located in a highly visible location on the floor within close proximity to residents to promote accessibility and community), stipend, and meal plan (ARC, CTY, and JST only).

• Please note the following:
  • PMs will most likely have a roommate. PMs are able to choose their roommate, however, if they do not, a roommate will be assigned to them.
  • If a PM terminates their position for any reason or is terminated from the position, the PM will be responsible for reimbursing a portion of their stipend, which will be prorated based on the amount of time served in the Peer Mentor position.

Renewal of Position – The Period of Agreement is for one academic year

PMs interested in serving as PMs during the following academic year must go through the returning staff selection process, submitting any application forms as prepared by the Selection Task Force. The process includes several components including the staff member’s fall semester performance evaluation, and any interviews or discussions.

Termination and Disciplinary Procedures

Failure to meet the terms of the PM Position Description, the PM Work Agreement, RA/PM manual and or other written expectations provided to the PM may result in levels of discipline via the Student Staff Accountability process including but not limited to warning, probation, and termination. Should you or the department terminate your contract during the academic year, please be advised that you will lose access to any monies remaining in your meal plan and be moved from your staff room assignment. You will also be held responsible for fulfilling your Housing contract.

Additional Information

The commitment of the University of Illinois to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity requires that decisions involving students and employees be based on individual merit and be free from invidious discrimination in all its forms.

The University of Illinois will not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders and regulations. This nondiscrimination policy applies to admissions, employment, access to and treatment in the University programs and activities.

PMs must be in good conduct and employment standing (i.e. no significant job action) in order to reapply.

Applications are due by 11:59 PM December 18, 2022

To help you better understand the positions and selection process, we ask you to participate one (1) of the information sessions will be held on various dates. All new applicants are required to attend one informational session. Attendance will be taken at each information session.

Information Sessions

Tuesday, 10/25              7:00pm – SCE Dearborn-B

Thursday, 11/3               7:00pm – JST Event Center

Wednesday, 11/16         7:00pm – MRH Piano Room

Monday, 11/28               5:00pm – JST Event Center

Thursday, 12/1               7:00pm – Virtual (Zoom)

To register for your selected information session that works with your schedule, please click on the links above.

2023-2024 Tentative New Applicant Timeline (Note: Subject to Change) 

October 25      Information Session # 1

November 1    Applications Available

November 3    Information Session #2

November 16  Information Session #3

November 28  Information Session #4

December 1     Information Session #5 – Virtual

December 18   Application Final Deadline (11:59 PM deadline)

January 2-13   Application Processing (Internal)

January 3rd    Conduct/Grade Check submitted for applicants

Jan. 16-20       RA/PM/SSA New Applicant Interview Sign-Up

Jan. 23-Feb. 3 RA/PM/SSA New Applicant Interviews

2023-2024 Tentative Rehire Timeline (Note: Subject to Change)

October 24     Intention Forms available

November 1    Evaluation Process begins/self-evaluations provided

November 3    Intention form deadline

November 4    Rehire packet available

November 30  Self-evaluation deadline

December 4     Rehire application deadline

January 2-13   Evaluation meetings

January 16-20 Rehire interviews

2023-2024 Tentative Offer Letter Timeline (Note: Subject to Change) 

February 6-10    Rehire/placement meetings

February 10        Rehire Offer Letters sent out

February 13-17   New Hire placement meetings

February 17        Rehire Position Acceptance Deadline

February 17        New Hire Offer letters sent out

February 24       New Hire position acceptance deadline

March TBA        2023-2024 Staff Welcome

May 16th           Conduct/Grade Check for accepted applicants

“One of the skills I gained from Campus Housing was learning how to take the initiative through effective communication. Every UIC student is always swimming in emails, so being prompt and specific as to the time/day really helps when you’re trying to coordinate appointments or programs. Through clear communication with my residents, my co-RA and I were able to lead multiple successful programs, such as a pillow making session, a paint night, and an interview workshop. By learning how to lead as a Peer Mentor, I have become more confident in my ability to reach out and make connections, which has helped me in my journey to become a physician.

Lucas Myint, Peer Mentor 2019-2020 in Courtyard and James Stukel Towers

There are many skills I gained from working in Campus Housing. However, I feel the biggest skill I developed Campus Housing was how to wield my leadership responsibly. Being a community leader with Campus Housing taught me how to actively listen to the needs of others and advocate for them in a way that was best for the individual. I learned how to lead by example as well as how to let others lead. These are skills that have benefited me greatly and contribute to the person I am today.

Klarque-Azana Scott, Resident Assistant 2017-2019 in Courtyard

Campus Housing taught me invaluable life lessons and interpersonal skills in an environment full of joy and caring for one another. The best part about Campus Housing was being able to set a positive tonality from the start of each semester for a group of individuals, consistently supporting the residents while being supported by the rest of the staff. Working as an RA taught me to find the brighter side of each situation to ultimately inspire residents to apply the same mindset for their own obstacles, ultimately creating a positive environment for both residents and staff to thrive. Campus Housing taught me how to make the most of each moment and interaction I have, to ultimately help residents embrace a growth mindset, while supporting and being supported by the housing staff.

Saad Sohail Resident Assistant,  2019-2020 in James Stukel Towers