In the hierarchy of college authority figures, Resident Advisors are those in closest contact with the average student. However, the role of an RA is much more complicated than just that of an enforcer or casual observer.
The 54 juniors and seniors with who serve as Residential Advisors at Hopkins have a plethora of duties, including policy enforcement, but they also interact (at all hours if need be) with residents in a variety of other ways.
Your RA is in charge because he or she has selected through a competitive application process. Applications, requesting basic biographical information and four essays, are made available in early December to students contemplating an RA position for the following school year.
After meeting the January deadline (this year January 31), applicants, usually about 120 students, participate in three group observation sessions facilitated by the Residential Life staff and outgoing Resident Advisors. The first cuts are made after this stage and the remaining students then vie for approximately 30 job openings.
Residential Life Director Shelley Fickau notes that the selection process includes no quotas and that students are selected for the job based solely on merit. She says that the staff looks for no specific personality traits or resume inclusions.
"The bottom line and common denominator is basic character," she said. "We want people who are honest and trustworthy, teachable and trainable."
As at other universities, RAs at Hopkins receive compensation in the form of free room and board for their job and all that it entails. While Fickau notes that such a trade-off is motivation for many students to apply for RA positions, she feels that especially at Hopkins, students seek to be leaders in Residential Life because of the skills and distinct experience they'll gain from the job.
"At Hopkins, it is a unique leadership experience that cannot be found anywhere else on campus. Here students recognize that," she said.
Melissa Tahan, first-year RA of the Phi Mu House cited similar reasons for applying.
"The benefits far outweigh the costs," she said. "I get to be here for my residents and an important part of the Hopkins community."
Once a student is awarded an RA position (generally mid-March), he or she accepts a great amount of responsibility and a hectic schedule. Fickau describes duties that fall into the RA's jurisdiction.
"Responsibilities include community development, utilization of programs, acting as a resource person and peer counselor, and policy enforcement," she said. More specifically, RA's plan three programs per month for their residents, attend several hours of meetings weekly, and are regularly required to complete "on duty" hours, in which they must stay in their rooms from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. except when walking the building for "rounds."
Junior Sarah Goonan, an RA in McCoy, fits all of this into her schedule and finds additional time to just "hang out" with her 6th floor residents as well.
"It's a time commitment, but it's not overwhelming. Plus, I really value the informal gatherings that develop with my residents," she commented.
In addition to all the particular components, simply being available and accessible is a significant feature of the RA position. Overall, Fickau stresses that the principle of duty is the "cornerstone" and by far the most important for those in the Residential Life program.
"We might not always know what to do or say," she comments, "but we will always be there."
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