RESIDENT STAFF APPLICATION

RESIDENT STAFF APPLICATION

RESIDENT STAFF RECOMMENDATION

Welcome to the Resident Staff Selections Website!  This site will provide you with the necessary information and materials to apply to be a Resident Advisor for the 2009-2010 Academic Year.  As members of the Residence Staff Program, we believe that the mission of an RA is to foster safe, supportive and welcoming communities that encourage learning and personal growth for residents.  The application process to become an RA selects for the qualities that represent the values of the program.  If, after reading through the information on this website, you have any questions concerning the application process, please contact Carey Evans (Program Coordinator for Resident Staff Selections) at cse3m@virginia.edu.

1. What are the important dates that I need to know?
(Hint: Every date you need to know!)

All important dates for the 2009-2010 Resident Staff Selection Process will be posted early in Fall 2008. Please check back for updates.

2. Why Should I be a Resident Advisor?
As an RA, you will learn skills in leadership, crisis management, mediation techniques, and a wealth of knowledge about University Resources.  But being an RA is so much more!  You will find lasting friendships, a community of support, and countless life experiences!  In addition to all of this, RA’s receive FREE Room as well as a FREE partial Meal Plan!

3. Am I eligible to apply?
All candidates for RA positions must be enrolled, full-time students at UVa in good academic standing and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.  Undergraduate students who meet the above criteria are eligible for all RA positions.  Graduate students who meet the above criteria are eligible for all RA positions except for RA First Year.  Acceptance into an RA Residential College or RA Language House position is dependent on acceptance into that program as a resident.  5th Year Curry students are eligible to be RAs provided they are able to attend O-week training in August.  If you are offered a position and plan to study abroad during the 2009-2010 academic year, you are able to defer your acceptance into the program for one year.

Back to Top

4. What positions are available?
For the 2009-2010 academic year, RA positions are available in First Year Areas (Alderman, McCormic, Hereford), Upperclass Areas (Bice, Copeley, Faulkner, Lambeth, Stadium), Residential Colleges (Brown College, Hereford Residential College, International Residential College), and the Language Houses (French, German, Russian, Spanish, Shea House).  When applying for these areas, you will have an opportunity to preference where you would like to be an RA (although first preferences are not guaranteed if you are offered a position).  If you are applying to be an RA in a Residential College or a Language House, then you must already be accepted to live in these areas for the 2009-2010 year.

5. How does the process work?
The selection process for Resident Staff consists of an application with essay questions, a recommendation, a multiple-choice test, and two interviews.
                -Application: This written application is now available on this website.  Please print and bring TWO copies of your application to the Test Night you attend.
                -Recommendation: This recommendation is now available on this website.  Please choose one person who is able to speak about your current leadership style and experiences.  This can include (but is not limited to) resident staff members, peer advisors, or faculty members.
                -Test: This 100 question multiple choice test will cover material from the Resident Staff Manual (now available on this website) as well UVA Resources and general knowledge. This information is extensive, so be sure to study the manual online in advance! You must attend one of the following nights:
                                Monday, January 26th, 7:00 pm (Maury 209)
                                Tuesday, January 27th, 7:00 pm (Maury 209)
                *BRING TWO COPIES OF THE APPLICATION AND A UVA STUDENT ID TO THE TEST NIGHT YOU ATTEND!

                -Interviews: Candidates who make it to the Interview portion of the process will have their names posted at locations across grounds on February 4th.  From February 4th to the 6th, these candidates will sign up for a fifteen-minute Individual Interview as well as a 90 minute Group Interview.  These interviews will take place February 14th and 15th respectively.  You must be present to interview!

The application for Resident Staff is available at the top of this page. Bring the TWO COPIES of the completed application with you to the test night on January 26 or 27, 2009.

6. Why does it take so long?
Reviewing application, recommendation, test, and interview materials and scores takes time.  The number of positions we have available to new staffers also depends on the number of returning staffers.  Letters will be mailed Wednesday, March 4th to your school address.

7. I am an "Alternate"... What does that mean?
Qualified candidates who did not receive an offer due to the limited positions available will be placed on the “Alternate” list.  Many current RA’s have been alternates.  Do not be discouraged, however placement into the program from the alternate list is not guaranteed.

Back to Top

8. Still unsure? Questions?
There will be an Information Session about this process on Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 at 7:00 pm (Chemistry 402).  If you have any questions, please contact Carey Evans (Program Coordinator for Resident Staff Selections) at cse3m@virginia.edu.

Resident Staff Manual:

9. Any suggestions to help me be prepared for the test?
Study for the test and do not wait until the night before the test to start.

10. What MUST I know for the test?
• The roles and responsibilities of Residence Life positions. This information can be found in the Resident Staff Manual:

• The functions and purposes of various University organizations and services
• General knowledge of the University community
• Housing policies contained in the Housing Calendar: http://www.virginia.edu/housing/files/calendar.pdf
• Part I – General Information contained in the Undergraduate Record: http://www.virginia.edu/registrar/records/ugradrec/

11. Do I have to know phone numbers and names?
Phone numbers and names will not be on the test. The flow charts in the manual are helpful for staff members, but not for this test.

Back to Top

12. Do you have any interviewing tips?

13. I made it through the process…now what do I do?
Well, sit tight. ALL letters will be mailed out by March 4, 2009 regardless of where you live. If you do not receive your letter by March 11, 2009, you may call the Residence Life Office at 924-3736.

14. I have a documented learning disability or special needs for Selection Process, who do I contact?
If you have a documented learning disability or special needs and need specific accommodations for parts of the Selection process including the test, individual interview, or group interview, please notify Dean Shaffer at 924-3736.

15. I'm going to be a 5th year Curry student next year and student teaching in the fall. Am I eligible for a Resident Staff position?
You are eligible to apply, but you are only eligible to hold a staff position if you are able to attend O-Week. As school opening and class positions will not be determined until April, if you are offered a Resident Staff position you may accept it. However, if there is a conflict between O-Week and your student teaching schedule, you will subsequently need to resign from your position on Resident Staff. If you have any questions regarding this policy and your situation, please contact Dean Shaffer as jss2u@virginia.edu.

16. If I am studying abroad during the Spring semester and want to be an RA the following Fall, what should I do?
Our program cannot accommodate students who are studying abroad during the spring semester and want to be on staff the following fall, as we do not have the resources to run two separate selection processes. However, if you are planning on studying abroad during any spring semester and want to be on resident staff the following fall, you can go through the process a year early. If accepted you will be able to defer your acceptance for one year to accommodate your study abroad experience.

17. If I become an RA, what happens to my on-grounds housing assignment?
If you accept a position as an RA, your housing contract will automatically be cancelled and your housing deposit will be refunded. You will not be held accountable for finding a replacement for your housing space.

Back to Top