Resident Assistant Monthly
June 2017
What to Expect!
This is your first of 3 Summer Newsletters. Each newsletter will include action items and important information for you to review.
This means you should continue to read with your full attention!
In addition to newsletters, you will also receive emails from your supervisor or me with information regarding Fall Training and how to access your resident roster.
Speaking of Fall Training, please do not plan to do anything but training and orientation between August 27th and September 10th. You will have training sessions or other RA related responsibilities pretty much all of the time for those weeks.
It is a busy, fun, and informative time so get ready!!
Door Decs & Community!
- First Impressions: Door Decs and other decorations are a big part of the first impression residents and their families will have of the suite. The effort and care you put into the Door Decorations sets the tone for the whole year! The simple gesture says, "We knew you were coming and we are glad you're here!"
- Introductions: Door Decorations are great way to help your residents learn each other's names. Some RAs will also include something about the resident on the Door Dec like where they are from or their favorite color. I have even seen Door Decs with blank spaces for the resident to fill in when they arrive. All great ways to get residents talking to each other.
- Common Theme: Tying your Door Decs to a theme that you can use throughout the suite helps form your community's identity! Think about a sport team or an organization that you are apart of, are their colors and symbols that mean something or at least make you think about that group? Your theme can do the same thing. It can give your residents something to rally behind!
Now is a great time to start thinking about how you'd like to decorate your suite and what your Door Decs will look like. We will have supplies for you to use when you return to campus. If you choose to begin your Door Decs over the summer we cannot reimburse you for the materials used.
Meet Missy: Administrative Assistant to the Campus Life Office
I will be helping you with purchases related to RA programming as well as getting to see you when you come into the office or are here for lock out call desk hours.
Some of my favorite things...golfing, gardening, arts & crafts, and of course spending time with friends and family.
I'm excited for the change of pace during the summer months while I am off. I will be spending a lot of this time volunteering to work at a family produce farm...basically I'll be working for really good food and spending time with family while I'm at it!
Did you know that I graduated from Knox in '05 with a studio art degree, emphasis in weaving? It took 8 years taking one class per term as part of my employee benefit to earn the degree!
What is an RA ?
You all have your contract and hopefully know the gist of your job responsibilities, but lets talk about the less tangible part. An RA is 3 things!
- Role Model: Whether you think so or not every single resident in your area and many outside of your area are looking to you to set the standard for the community, even in upper class areas! Pay attention to how you interact with others and model the way you hope others will live in the community. For example, if you want others to pick up after themselves then pick up after yourself. If you want the common area to be used often, use it often. If you want your residents to follow campus policies and community living standards, follow campus policies and community living standards. This includes the way you carry yourself outside of the residence hall too. Are you skipping class? Well if you're skipping class and you're an RA then it must be okay to skip class. Of course some residents will not follow your lead, but it sure does help!
- Mentor: Some residents will cling to you and identify you as a mentor. They may come to you often to talk or decide that they will model their college experience after yours. Example: " My RA Vicki is on student senate, president of Blessings in a Backpack and an RA. I am going to do that when I am a senior." A mentor is similar to a role model, but there is more intention behind the relationship. It is more than admiring from afar. We will talk more about this in the Fall.
- Leader: Leader is defined in a variety of different ways and I encourage you to work on your own personal definition. In terms of being an RA, you are in a formal position of leadership. Residents will see you as a leader automatically and for this reason when order is lost or something goes wrong residents will expect you to lead the way. Take charge and create order where maybe it wasn't before. This is a great responsibility; do not be afraid to step up when others are sitting back, especially in your residential environment. Check out this article for more definitions of a leader.
Meet Andrew: Coordinator for Student Engagement
Information Form
Review
Did you get it all?
- Review the Student Code of Conduct and the Community Living Standards.
- Meet Missy and Andrew.
- Submit the Information Form and the Training Theme Poll.
- Door Decorations Build Community.
Until next time!