Picture Yourself!

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 with the Learning Outcomes and Curriculum. 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, Director of Residence Life, and Senior 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 and maintain a welcoming and supportive environment for residents by addressing learning outcomes identified through the Residential Curriculum.
2. Communicate regularly with supervisor, staff team, and central office staff. 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, student staff hiring (spring), summer online modules, Fall Training, Spring Training and monthly in-services.
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 Houses. 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 change.

Minimum Qualifications
▪ Be a full-time enrolled degree seeking UIC student, for the 2025-2026 academic year
▪ Have a minimum semester and cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above
▪ Be in good academic and conduct standing with the University.
▪ Successful completion of 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. 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 – all dates are subject to change
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 dates of employment for the 2025-2026 academic year are: August 4, 2025, through May 18, 2026.
● RAs will be asked to perform limited RA duties during Summer 2025 in preparation for their start date in August.
● UIC residence halls are open on school holidays and breaks. 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 – all 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 – August 4, 2025 – August 19, 2025
● Fall Hall opening – August 20, 2025 – August 24, 2025
● Fall Hall closing – December 5, 2025 – December 10, 2025
● Spring Training – January 5, 2026 – January 11, 2026
● Spring Hall closing – May 8, 2026 – May 18, 2026
RAs must be available to attend the following additional functions. all dates are subject to change
● 2025-2026 Staff Welcome Meeting – March or April 2025
● RA Move-in – Early August (move in dates based on new or returning status)
● Weekly staff meetings/in-service trainings: every Monday from 7:00PM – 9:00PM *RAs are not to take classes or work any desk shifts 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
● Campus Housing Open House – TBA Fall Semester
● Campus Housing IGNITE – TBA Spring Semester

Workload/Time Commitment
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 week of regularly scheduled responsibilities (e. g., staff meetings, on-call, time in floor community, 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 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 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.

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 stipend employee student staff who desire to have employment outside of the RA position are only eligible to work an additional 10 hours. This must be approved by the direct supervisor. New RAs may not work an outside job in their first semester in the position. This will allow them to understand how to balance their academics along with the RA role.

Legal Requirements
As required by the Federal Higher Education Act, also known as the Clery Act, the RA 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 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 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.
Please note the following:
RAs in apartments will most likely have a roommate. RAs are able to choose their roommate, however, if they do not, a roommate will be assigned to their room.

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 and relocated out of the community for which they were assigned while in the role.

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

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. If you decide to break your housing contract, you will be responsible for the contract cancellation fee(s) associated with breaking your housing contract. Please note you will not be eligible to work another position within Campus Housing if you are terminated.
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.

Applications are due by 11:59 PM November 24, 2024.

All applicants must register for the position on Handshake at the job number below AND apply for the job on Campus groups 

Campus Housing Resident Assistant (RA) 2025-2026 Job #9333141

Summary of 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 environment in the halls consistent with the educational mission of the university and the learning areas of Campus Housing. PMs will work collaboratively alongside other staff within Campus Housing to provide programming, academic support and outreach to residents living within the residence halls. PMs must be friendly, mature, responsible, and articulate. PMs must be comfortable interacting with university officials, faculty, parents, and guests. PMs report directly to the Assistant Director of Residential Education and Graduate Assistant for Residential Education. PMs indirectly are managed by Senior Peer Mentors, Housing Officers, Area Coordinators, Assistant Directors, Director of Residence Life, and Senior Director of Campus Housing.

General Responsibilities and Duties

1. Work directly with Living Learning Communities (LLCs), Affinity dwellings/spaces and partner programs and support residents by addressing learning outcomes identified through the Residential Curriculum.

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, Senior Peer Mentor and central office staff. Complete administrative tasks, including but not limited to weekly staff meetings, weekly office hours, 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. Utilize knowledge of student populations for relevant student learning experience

6. Follow up with residents 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 student staff hiring process, summer online training, fall training, spring training, in-services and staff meetings.

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 monthly 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 through weekly office hours.

13. Support residence life team members with matters regarding academic connections.

14. Collaborate with the office for Advising Development to assist with academic flags and referrals from advisors and faculty using the iAdvise system.

15. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

● Be a full-time enrolled degree seeking UIC student, for the 2025-2026 academic year

● Have a minimum semester and cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above

● Be in good academic and conduct standing with the University.

● Pursuing a degree or distinct interests complimentary to the Living Learning Communities (LLCs)

● Successful completion of 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.

Terms of Agreement – all dates are subject to change

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 dates of employment for the 2025-2026 academic year are: August 4, 2025, through May 18, 2026.

● PMs will be asked to perform limited PM duties during Summer 2025

● 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 – all 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 – August 4, 2025 – August 19, 2025

● Fall Hall opening – August 20, 2025 – August 24, 2025

● Fall Hall closing – December 5, 2025 – December 10, 2025

● Spring Training – January 5, 2026 – January 11, 2026

● Spring Hall closing – May 8, 2026 – May 18, 2026

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

● 2025-2026 Staff Welcome Meeting – March or April 2025

● PM Move-in – Early August (move in dates based on new or returning status)

● Weekly staff meetings/in-service trainings: every Monday from 7:00PM – 9:00PM *RAs are not to take classes or work any desk shifts 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

● Campus Housing Open House – TBA Fall Semester

● Campus Housing IGNITE – TBA 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, office hours, time in floor community, 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 Director of Residence Life. PMs must maintain good academic and conduct standing.

Time away

PMs should have a large presence within the residence hall. 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 a 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. New PMs may not work an outside job in their first semester in the position. This will allow them to understand how to balance their academics along with the PM role.

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 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 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.

Please note the following:

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 and relocated out of the community they were assigned while in the role.

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

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. If you decide to break your housing contract, you will be responsible for the contract cancellation fee(s) associated with breaking your housing contract. Please note you will not be eligible to work another position within Campus Housing if you are terminated.

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

Applications are due by 11:59 PM November 24, 2024.

All applicants must register for the position on Handshake at the job number below AND apply for the job on Campus groups 

Campus Housing Peer Mentor (PM) 2025-2026 Job #9333155

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

Wednesday, October 2 6:00PM – 7:00PM ARC 240

Monday, October 14 7:00PM-8:00PM MRH Piano Room

Tuesday, October 29 6:00-7:00PM SCE 605

Friday, November 8 7:00PM – 8:00PM JST Training Room

Monday, November 18 6:00PM – 7:00PM Virtual (Zoom)

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

2025-2026 Tentative New Applicant Timeline (Note: Subject to Change) 

October 1 Registration for positions available via Handshake

October 1 Applications available via Campus Groups

October 2 Information Session # 1

October 14 Information Session #2

October 29 Information Session #3

November 8 Information Session #4

November 18 Information Session #5 – Virtual

November 24 Application Final Deadline (11:59 PM deadline)

Candidates will hear from the Selection Team between December 13 and Jan. 12 (check your UIC email for updates)

December 16-27 RA/PM New Applicant Interview Sign-Up

February – Selection weekend (TBA)

2025-2026 Tentative Offer Letter Timeline (Note: Subject to Change) 

February – Offer Letters Sent Out

March 31 2025-2026 Staff Welcome Meeting

“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