A residential advisor, or RA, is a member of staff who performs a variety of tasks at a residential facility, depending on the type of residence. College residence halls, fraternity or sorority houses, and private boarding schools are the most common places for RAs to work. A residential advisor can also work as a resident assistant in a rehabilitation facility, such as a children’s home or a substance abuse and mental health center. He or she may interact directly with residents, as well as other staff members and family members, as needed. RA responsibilities can range from managing a residence’s day-to-day operations to dealing with specific types of crises.
A residential advisor at a university or college is usually a current student as well. In a large college residence hall, there may be several RAs, each of whom is assigned to one or two floors. In a smaller residence, such as a fraternity house or boarding school dormitory, one RA may be assigned to the entire building.
Most residential advisors have similar responsibilities regardless of location. For example, a RA is frequently in charge of maintaining the premises. He or she could do so by coordinating cleaning schedules with housekeeping and scheduling repairs with outside contractors. He or she may also be in charge of incoming and outgoing mail, as well as deliveries. RA requirements frequently include ensuring the building’s security and the safety of its occupants.
Assigning students to rooms and enforcing housing policies may be additional responsibilities for residential advisors. When rules are broken, he or she may explain the rules of the residence and take any necessary disciplinary action. RAs also communicate with residents on a regular basis, sometimes offering advice on academics, student social life, community involvement, and dealing with emotions. They are frequently asked to mediate conflicts between residents and may refer students to support services. They may be required to deal with medical emergencies in some cases and should be prepared to administer first aid.
Patients in rehabilitation programs and similar facilities frequently benefit from the services of a residential advisor. In these situations, the RA is usually more involved in the lives of the residents. In comparison to an academic setting, he or she might give residents more individualized attention, overseeing their daily routines or supervising them more closely. Transporting residents to appointments and chaperoning trips are two other common residential advisor responsibilities.