The Resident Assistant is a key part of the Residential Life team.  Resident Assistants (RA)  are student staff members who live in a residence hall or specialty housing area. RAs are primarily responsible for helping to facilitate the formation of a  genuine community among the residents of that hall or building, and to serve as a live in resource and representative of Residential Life. The RAs also are a crucial part of the implementation of the community learning model, and facilitate many aspects of this, including connecting with individual students, helping form and enforce community standards and expectations, and serving as a campus resource for students living in each area.

The Resident Assistant selection process happens each spring for the following academic year.  Applications are available in January and the interview process happens in late February and early March.  Questions about the RA position of selection process can be directed to Coco Du, Associate Director of Residential Life at jdu@macalester.edu.

Resident Assistant Position General Information

Resident Assistant Job Description

Application Process

Timeline/Important Dates

RA Information Session:
(please come to have your questions answered. CDC will be present as well to provide guidance on your coverletter and resume)

Session 1: Thursday, January 31 from Noon-1pm in Davis Court (Markim Hall)
Session 2: Wednesday, Feburary 6 from 8-9pm in 30 Mac Lounge

Resident Assistant Applications Now Available

Recommendation Form
Each candidate needs to fill out two recommendation forms.

Application and Recommendation Form Submission Deadline (Required):
Monday, February 11, 2013-Incomplete applications will not be considered

Group Interview Process (Required):
February 17th from Noon-6pm, 2013

The group process involves a number of RA candidates meeting together with two or more observers and facilitator whom leads each small group through three or four team activities. The process may take the form of group problem-solving sessions or discussion groups where each candidate's contributions and participation is noted. Other exercises include splitting the candidates into teams with a work related task to complete. During these exercises the observers closely watch the candidates. They may also ask questions of individual candidates.

Individual Interview (Required):
Monday, February 18th through Friday, February 22nd

The individual interview serves an opportunity for Residential Life staff and Campus Partners to gain a more individualized assessment of each RA candidate. The interview typically includes one professional staff member and one current Resident Assistant. Candidates are asked a variety of questions pertaining to the RA position and give applicants the opportunity to ask questions they may have about position or process.