Students wishing to become an RA now have the chance to seize the opportunity.

The Office of Residence Life will conduct its fall application process for the 2004-2005 resident adviser staff Oct. 21, and a new application procedure has been implemented for students to become an RA, making positions more competitive.

ORL has changed its traditional application process to a more in-depth approach to ensure that the residential staff is given adequate training necessary for the responsibility.

Many other college campuses has used the traditional RA application process, said Anthony J. Buono, assistant director of human resources and communications at ORL.

Applying students will undergo a daylong process of group exercises that involve teamwork and working out possible chaotic situations. The online process for this year’s application makes applying easier.

‘This year, we have the application on the web so hopefully it would be more feasible to students,’ said Thanya Jeanty, coordinator for student staffing at ORL.

Jeanty will be handling the recruitment of new candidates for residential life by contacting them daily.

‘We wanted to merge our RA class and RA training program to give the staff much more information on what to expect [and to] learn more about the job,’ Buono said.

Buono said this new application process has been one of the more well-received events he has seen in his 10 years involved with ORL.

‘It’s been touching to hear feedback by students about the job,’ Buono said.

The process begins Oct. 21 with a thorough application. To apply for a residential staff position, students must have two letters of recommendation and a cover letter with specific information with reasons for becoming an RA.

The RA class consists of four 2-hour class sessions over a four-week period, with each session holding six to 10 students. In addition, students will have an individual interview with a professional residential-life staff member.

Participating in these activities does not guarantee applicants a position on the residential staff. Out of the approximately 346 students who applied during the fall and spring semesters, 146 students were chosen.

Applying students are either hired, or encouraged to seek other leadership opportunities, Buono said.

Many resident advisers are pleased with the class sessions.

Maribelis Olivares, a junior biology and psychology major, is a resident adviser at Dellplain Residence Hall. She completed the class sessions and interviews to become an RA this year. Although she found some of the sessions tedious at times, she felt the program was overall successful in preparing her to be an adviser.

‘There are so many questions in the beginning [of the process] that it can be difficult,’ she said.

One aspect Olivares liked about the sessions is that they demonstrate to ORL the degree to which candidates are interested in becoming a resident adviser.

‘It shows your commitment before you’re an RA,’ Olivares said.

Published on October 14, 2003 at 12:00 pm