Resident Assistant (RA)

Resident Assistant (RA)

Resident Assistants are trained and paid student leaders who are committed to creating an inclusive living/learning community in the residence halls. They serve the residential community through a variety of responsibilities including community building, programming, mediation, crisis response and policy enforcement.

Campus Life also offers a variety of RA positions to help meet the needs of certain populations of students. You can learn more about the following communities at the bottom of this page:

• First-Year Wing
• New Transfer & Returner Wing
• Harstad Women’s Empowerment & Gender Equity
• Hinderlie Community for Creative Expression
• Kreidler Global Community
• Diversity, Justice & Sustainability (Ordal Hall; including First in Family, Students of Color, & Environmental and Social Justice)
• Lavender (Ordal Hall)/Gender Inclusive Housing (Multiple Halls)
• STEM House (Tingelstad Hall)
• Wellness House (Tingelstad Hall)
• Upper Division Housing (South & Stuen Halls)

Information Sessions: Learn more about the RA role and the application process!

Several information sessions will be hosted for anyone interested in the position to attend, learn more about the role and ask any questions you may have. These sessions are led by current RAs and Community Directors.

11/14 – 12-1pm – AUC 133

11/16 – 8:30-9:30pm – Hinderlie Main Lounge (Upper Campus Info Session)

11/17 – 7-8pm – South Main Lounge (Lower Campus Info Session)

12/7 – 10:30-11:30am – AUC 203

12/8 – 5-6PM – AUC 203

RA Hours and Compensation

• Average of 13 hours/week, with higher hours in the beginning and end of semesters
• Compensation will comprise the following:
  • 1) a housing credit (i.e., free on-campus housing)
  • 2) hourly pay that is commensurate with the annual value of  Meal Plan D.

RA Requirements

• PLU cumulative GPA of 2.0; if successful applicants have a cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 2.5, they will participate in an academic support program until their cumulative GPA is 2.5 or higher.
• Full-time status (min. of 12 credits/semester)
• Be in good academic and conduct standing with the university
• Applicants with specific questions should email rlifjobs@plu.edu

Instructions to apply for a 2023-2024 RA Position

• New RA Candidate Process

  • 2023-2024 RA applications will be open from October  31, 2022 through December 31, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.
    • Every candidate must complete the RA Application for 2023-2024 in full to be considered for the position. This three page application will include information about you as a candidate, four application questions, and the chance to share about your preferences in Learning Community placement.
    • Group and individual interviews for new RA applicants will take place at time(s) to be determined and communicated to candidates as interviews are offered. All interview times will be shared with applicants via their PLU email.
      • If you are applying for the Kreidler Global Learning Community, you will have an additional interview in the language of the wing for which you’re applying with a PLU faculty member.
      • If you are studying away or are unable to attend the individual interview, you will go through an Alternate Interview time at a new assigned date and time.

• Returning RA Re-Application

  • Every current RA must complete the RA Application for 2023-2024 in full to be considered for rehire. This three page application will include information about you as a candidate, four application questions, and the chance to share about your preferences in Learning Community placement.
  • Presentations for returning RA applicants will take place at a time to be determined. All presentation times will be shared with applicants via their PLU email.
    • If you are applying for the Kreidler Global Learning Community, you will have an additional interview in the language of the wing for which you’re applying with a PLU faculty member.
    • Prompts for the presentation will be shared with applicants in advance of the presentation via their PLU email. Sample prompts from previous selection processes have included:
      • The Four Dimensions of an RA
        • Safety and Inclusivity
        • Belonging
        • Learning and Enjoyment
        • Community and Leadership Development
      • You will be given 20 minutes to:
        • Address any questions or prompts that are provided by the Selection Committee
        • Reflect on your strengths and areas of improvement in all four dimensions as mentioned above
        • Reflect on this previous year and how returning will benefit your growth as a student leader
        • List your living preferences by Learning Communities, Residence Halls, and/or positions in order of your preference (this is also captured the initial RA Application)

Additional Information about Student Staff Positions

First-Year Wing

In addition to general RA duties, the FYRA is placed in a wing comprising first-year students and is trained to identify and understand the needs specific to that group. FYRA’s will work closely with staff, faculty and residents alike to build a strong foundation and help to ensure a successful transition to college life.

New Transfer/Returner Wing

In addition to general RA responsibilities, the New Transfer/Returner Wing RA is placed in a wing of 2nd year and older students, and is trained to understand the academic and career needs of that population – such as picking a major, finding internships, and selecting a study away program.

Harstad Womens’ Empowerment & Gender Equity

In addition to general RA responsibilities, the Harstad RA is placed in a Harstad wing and is trained to build community around the Harstad mission of “promoting gender equity through intentional programming, community building, and faculty interaction by focusing on activism, education, leadership opportunities, and reflection.”  Harstad RAs will work collaboratively with faculty to enhance learning in this community.

Hinderlie Community for Creative Expression

In addition to general RA responsibilities, the HCCE RA is placed in a Hinderlie wing and is trained to build community around the HCCE mission of “creativity appreciation and exploration of the meaning of creativity in the context of global citizenship as a mechanism for expression, activism, leadership & reflection.”  HCCE RAs will work collaboratively with faculty to enhance learning in this community.

Kreidler Global Community

In addition to general RA responsibilities, the KGC RA is placed in a Kreidler wing and is trained to build community around the KGC mission of “promoting language immersion, cultural awareness, and global engagement in your community”.  KGC RAs will work collaboratively with faculty to enhance learning in this community. Each wing of Kreidler houses a different language or academic focus. The following are the Learning Communities within Kreidler Global Community.

• Chinese
• Spanish
• French
• International Honors (IHON)
• Global Studies
• Native American & Indigenous Studies (NAIS)

Additional Qualifications: Enrolled in IHON/Language courses throughout time of employment and/or demonstrate fluency and passion for target language and/or International Honors Program.

Diversity, Justice, & Sustainability (DJS) (Ordal Hall)

In addition to general RA responsibilities, the DJS RA will be placed in an Ordal wing that works with a specific group (e.g., First in the Family, Students of Color, or Environmental and Social Justice)

• The First in the Family RAs are placed in a first-year wing comprised of residents who identify as first-generation college students. First in the Family RAs will help residents explore their identity as first-generation college students, how it intersects with other identities, and how their identify affects their college experience.
• First in the Family RAs will work collaboratively with campus partners to enhance learning in this community.
• The Students of Color RAs establishes community and solidarity with residents who identify as a student of color. Students of Color RAs will help residents explore their identity as a student of color at a predominantly white institution and how it intersects with other identities.
• The Environmental and Social Justice RAs will be trained to learn, understand, and utilize environmental studies and the “social change leadership model” in their programming and community building efforts. ESJ RAs will work collaboratively with the Diversity Center to enhance learning in this community.

Lavender Community (Ordal Hall) / Gender Inclusive Housing (Multiple Halls)

In addition to the general RA responsibilities, the Lavender/Gender Inclusive Housing RA is placed in a wing of both returner and first year students, and is trained to understand the specific needs of the community. The Lavender RA promotes a safe and inclusive environment for students across the LGBTQIA community to thrive together, and the Gender Inclusive Community RA helps residents create a deeper awareness for gender identity while creating a safe and understanding environment.

STEM House (Tingelstad Hall)

In addition to general RA responsibilities, the STEM House RA will work with faculty to promote interdisciplinary exploration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in academics and everyday activities.

Wellness House (Tingelstad Hall)

In addition to general RA responsibilities, the Wellness House RA is trained to understand the holistic wellness wheel model and utilize this model to create vibrant wing programs and activities.

Upper Division Housing (South & Stuen Halls)

In addition to general RA responsibilities, the Upper Division Housing RAs are placed in a South or Stuen wing and are trained to understand the needs of upper class, transfer, graduate, and married/domestically partnered students.