Resident Assistants 

Resident Assistant (RA) Opportunities in Harmony Hall

Resident Assistants (RAs) play a vital role in maintaining the safety and security of the 208 students living in Harmony Hall. In addition to ensuring a secure environment, RAs support students as they transition to campus life and navigate the Penn State system.

The Resident Assistant (RA) works in our residence hall under the direct supervision of a professional live-in staff member (Coordinator/Assistant Coordinator). The role of the RA is to work with other residence hall staff to facilitate an environment within the residence hall community that promotes the educational experience of residential living. The RA articulates to residents the philosophy and policies of the Office of Residence Life, Student Affairs & Engagement, and the Penn State community, and represents the needs of students to the administration. 

The following are basic expectations of an RA. Specific responsibilities and expectations vary slightly among residential areas/campuses. It is your responsibility to become familiar with the Student Code of Conduct, the Housing Terms and Conditions, and the Residence Life Resident Assistant Manual. 

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to those listed below:

  • Promote and encourage developing a meaningful community experience.
  • Promote and encourage the academic experience.
  • Serve as a visible campus leader, employee and representative of the Office of Residence Life.
  • Be a resource for students.
  • Understand, enforce, and communicate regulations/policies.
  • Uphold safety and security within our community.
  • Attend and actively engage in Residence Life focused meetings and trainings as scheduled.
  • Assume on-call responsibilities as scheduled and in times of need during an emergency.
  • Live in residence each night throughout the year during housing contract period, unless an overnight absence is approved.
  • Limit outside activities to avoid conflict with residence hall responsibilities.
  • As a designated Campus Security Authority (CSA), uphold the Clery Act and Title IX guidelines, RAs work in partnership with residence life coordinators to foster a positive, inclusive community that promotes student growth and development. They are also responsible for planning and implementing year-round programs that reflect the interests and needs of Harmony Hall residents.

Resident Assistant (RA) Position Responsibilities

Resident Assistants (RAs) are student leaders who play a critical role in creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive living-learning environment. Below is a detailed list of expectations and qualifications for the position:

Personal Conduct and Academic Commitment

  • Serve as a role model by upholding all University, Commonwealth, federal, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
  • Maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA to demonstrate academic commitment.

Community Development and Student Support

  • Assist in orienting new residents to campus life and community standards.
  • Facilitate activities and events to help residents adjust and engage.
  • Educate residents on University policies and hold them accountable.
  • Support students in developing: responsibility for self and environment, identity, self-esteem, decision-making, conflict resolution, and respect for others.
  • Refer students to appropriate campus resources when necessary.

Communication and Visibility

  • Maintain regular contact with residents through: one-on-one and group meetings, email and digital communication, posting flyers, signs, memos, and announcements
  • Be visible, approachable, and available, especially in the evenings.

Academic and Educational Support

  • Encourage and support a positive academic environment in the residence hall.
  • Share academic resources and promote study-friendly spaces.
  • Provide informal academic support and guidance.

Belonging

  • Promote a welcoming and inclusive environment for all residents.
  • Engage in and model behaviors that support belonging through programs, conversations, and educational opportunities.

Crisis Response and Safety

  • Respond to emergencies and ensure appropriate University staff or outside agencies are involved when needed.
  • Document and report all incidents and safety concerns thoroughly and promptly.

Programming and Campus Involvement

  • Develop programs based on resident needs and interests.
  • Encourage involvement in campus-wide activities.
  • Coordinate planning, promotion, and evaluation of events.

Administrative and Staff Responsibilities

  • Attend and actively participate in weekly staff meetings, one-on-one check-ins
  • Share on-call and weekend duty responsibilities with other RAs/Respond to after-hours issues, including emergencies.
  • Complete all required paperwork and reports, including: weekly updates and incident reports and program proposals and evaluations, and staff development and training sessions.

Collaboration and Professional Relationships

  • Foster positive relationships with fellow RAs, coordinators, and staff.
  • Maintain regular communication with Residence Life staff and provide updates on student and community concerns.
  • Serve as a liaison with: Office of Student Affairs, Residence Life, Housing & Food Services, University Police, and other key campus departments.

Qualifications

  • Enrolled as a current Beaver student in good standing at the time of application
  • Complete at least one academic year as a full-time student at Beaver by the start of appointment
  • Possess 24 earned credit hours upon completion of the Spring semester
  • Possess and maintain full-time student status (12 credit hours) throughout the recruitment and appointment period
  • Possess and maintain a minimum 2.50 semester and cumulative GPA through the recruitment and appointment period
  • Maintain good standing with Penn State Beaver throughout the recruitment and appointment period (Note: A past violation of policy or the law may result in a candidate being removed from the process.)
  • Intend to live on campus for the entire academic year
  • Receive an invitation to register for HI ED 302, a 3-credit pre-appointment course
  • Must earn at least a B- to be considered for placement
  • Must be willing and able to arrive on campus before residents each semester and remain through the end of the final exam period.

Note: RAs must restrict off/on campus employment to 10 hours a week (with prior permission from their direct supervisor). Staff members should discuss and have prior approval by their direct supervisor for commitments outside of academics and the RA role. In addition, RAs may not hold other on-campus positions that require a significant or ongoing time commitment, as such roles may interfere with the responsibilities and availability expected of the RA position.

Interested in Becoming an RA?

Please contact Robert Ippolito, [email protected], for more information.