Resident Assistants
Resident Assistants (RAs) are advisors and role models that serve as an important liaison between students and the University. Serving as an RA provides students numerous opportunities for personal and professional development as well as substantial leadership experience. RAs contribute to students’ experiences by:
- Establishing a positive community in their assigned residential area
- Assisting with personal and academic questions and concerns
- Implementing social and educational programs and services
- Maintaining a healthy and safe environment for all students
The application for the 2025-2026 academic year is now open! The application closes January 24, 2025. Read below about the selection process.
- Complete the application linked below. You will need to complete a few essay questions, a resume, and submit the contact information of one reference to complete a feedback form on your behalf (this can be a Resident Assistant, staff/faculty member, coach, work study supervisor, etc.). The application is due January 24, 2025.
- After the application deadline, ORCL staff will review applications and select candidates to advance in the process. Students that fall under a 2.75 cumulative GPA or have significant documentations through Student Conduct may not be selected to advance.
- Based on their applications, candidates will be invited to participate in a Candidate Social where they will interact with other candidates and ORCL staff. The purpose of the social is to introduce candidates to staff in advance of their interview and provide them with an opportunity to demonstrate how they interact with peers in an informal setting. Candidate Socials will take place February 3-14.
- Following Candidate Socials, candidates will be selected to complete a final interview. Interviews will take place February 17-28.
- All candidates will be notified of their statuses no later than March 10, 2025.
Why Be an RA?
To put it simply, there’s just nothing like it. Of all the leadership or employment opportunities you can explore as an undergraduate student, the RA position stands out as one of the most enriching, challenging, and unique experiences you could have. The life of any RA can look drastically different from day to day. One day you might be planning and hosting an event and the next you might be managing an emergency in your community. You will be stretched and tested, but you will have a supportive team and supervisor to help you capitalize on your strengths and grow more confident in areas you find challenging.
You will also be doing a momentous service to your fellow students. RAs contribute to the Capital community in the following ways and more!
RAs build communities of belonging. Our staff strives for each of our residential communities to be safe and welcoming environments for every student. We believe that the unique and intersectional identities of each community member and the respect for those identities is essential for a strong and vibrant living environment.
RAs help students find their fit. Through targeted and individual outreach (such as CapChats) RAs get to know each resident on a deeper level and connect them to others in the campus community who share similar passions, interests, and goals.
RAs act as a resource for and referral to the information and individuals students need. We train our staff to be knowledgeable sources of information that students can rely on to help them succeed.
RAs educate the community on healthy, safe, and responsible living. RAs take part in proactive educational initiatives aimed toward developing an engaged citizenry that focuses on the well-being of both the individual and collective.
RAs are there for students. RAs receive extensive training in conflict, crisis, and conduct response. RAs mediate and resolve peer conflict, activate support systems, and address violations of community standards. As part of the ResLife 24/7 on-call network, RAs take part in a three-tier duty rotation which supports the campus community twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
For serving as an RA, each student receives the following compensation package:
- A $4,480* credit to be applied to the student account which covers, in full, the housing costs of RAs for each semester of employment (any overage after will be applied toward the RA’s meal plans). This amount may change slightly for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.
- $750 stipend paid in three increments of $250 at the beginning, middle, and end of the academic year.
- S-lot parking pass guarantee for RAs wishing to purchase one
- Eligibility for early registration on their academic class's first day of registration each semester