Residence Hall Assistants (RAs)
- Submission Process
- Position Description
- Timetable for RA Selection
- Financial Implications of RA Benefits
- Download an Application
- Contact Information
Submission Process
- Download an application and THREE (3) recommendation forms from the link below, or pick up an application and recommendation forms in the Office of Student Affairs, 316 Main Building. Read the entire application.
- Complete application.
- Contact faculty members, administrators, advisors, and former employers to determine their willingness to provide recommendations. Please keep in mind that many of these individuals will be asked to fill out multiple recommendations--give them sufficient notice and time to write.
- Provide an addressed, stamped envelope to recommenders to facilitate their submission of the recommendation form.
- Submit your application to the Office of Student Affairs by FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2008.
Position Description
The position of resident assistant (RA) is an important one at the University of Notre Dame. The RA is involved in helping students live together productively in the residence halls. In pursuing this goal, the resident assistant assumes many responsibilities.
The RA is a senior or a graduate student who is a member of the residence hall staff, and who is assigned to work in a particular residence hall under the immediate direction of the hall's Rector.
Every resident assistant must participate in pre-service training, hall staff orientation, and in-service activities. Orientation begins in late Spring for the 2008-2009 staff. A more extensive training program is conducted approximately two weeks preceding the start of the Fall 2008 semester. In-service sessions are held throughout the year. Attendance at orientation, pre-service and in-service training sessions, as well as regular meetings with the hall staff, is mandatory. Students participating in foreign study programs during the Spring 2008 semester are excused from that semester's orientation activities.
Because resident assistants serve as first responders in many medical emergencies, it is important that they possess basic first aid skills. All RAs must complete the American Red Cross or American Heart Association Standard First Aid and the American Red Cross or American Heart Association CPR classes before the start of the Fall 2008 semester.
This requirement may be fulfilled through any Red Cross or American Heart Association chapter or through courses offered at Notre Dame during the Spring 2008 semester. Upon completion of each course, Resident Assistants are expected to submit a photocopy of their certification cards to the Office of Student Affairs. The cost of this training must be borne by the applicant.
In addition to returning to campus earlier than most students, RAs must remain on campus until the halls close at the end of each semester. RA presence may also be required because of home games at the start or end of Fall break or on other occasions when the Office of Student Affairs determines that hall staffing is important.
In order to show active interest in the students, the resident assistant should be available to them during most of the evening hours according to a duty schedule arranged with, and approved by, the rector of the hall. The resident assistant is expected to know his or her students well enough to be able to provide direct assistance or provide appropriate referrals in a variety of areas -- academic, spiritual, social, or personal. 
The resident assistant also works with Head Staff to help maintain an atmosphere of friendly community living. The RA is required to enforce University policy in accordance with du Lac, Student Life Policies and Procedures. In addition, all staff members are expected to show leadership by the example of their personal lives.
In order to fulfill these duties and not jeopardize his or her own academic responsibilities, the RA should generally have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Occasionally, exceptions to this requirement are made by the associate vice president for residence life based upon review of each applicant's file.
Further, due to the demands of the position, resident assistants are typically precluded from other outside employment, participation in varsity athletics, or elected student government positions. Any exceptions to these restrictions must be approved by the Associate Vice President for Residence Life and the Rector of the hall.
As compensation for these services, the University of Notre Dame provides room, board and limited laundry service. Also included in the compensation is payment of the telephone installation charge and a free, non-delegable student parking sticker. It should be clearly noted that this compensation (specifically, board) does not extend to "early start" programs, late departures, "breaks" or vacations except for meals on those days when RA presence in the hall is necessitated by home football games at the start or end of Fall break, or as otherwise determined by the need to staff the residence halls. The term of the resident assistant agreement is for one semester and may be renewed for the following semester with the approval of the rector and the associate vice president for residence life.
Resident assistants at Notre Dame are expected to incorporate Christian values into their lives and their lifestyles, so that they may take a pro-active role in the growth and development of other students who come here to study and learn. In doing so, they will enhance residential life at this University as well as grow and expand themselves as more fully educated and experienced Notre Dame men and women.
Timetable for RA Selection
Monday, November 12, 2007, to Friday, January 18, 2008:
Applications Available. Applications will be available in the Office of Student Affairs, 316 Main Building, during business hours from Monday, November 12, 2007, at 8:00 a.m. until Friday, January 18, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. Applications will also be available for downloading and printing (see link below) during this period.
Friday, January 18, 2008:
Application and recommendation deadline date. Completed applications and three (3) recommendations must be on file in the Office of Student Affairs by 5:00 p.m. on this date.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008:
- Candidates whose application files have passed the initial screening process will be so informed. (By Wednesday, February 6, 2008, these candidates must have contacted the rectors of their own residence halls and rectors of any other halls regarding the process in the residence hall.)
- Applicants whose files have not passed initial screening will be informed of their status.
- Rectors will be informed of the candidates seeking RA positions in their respective halls.
Friday, February 29, 2008:
Rectors will have interviewed, selected, and submitted to the Office of Student Affairs a complete list of their RA choices.
Friday, March 7, 2008:
The Office of Student Affairs will notify all RA candidates of the final official disposition of their applications.
Thursday, April 10, 2008:
Initial meeting of all new RAs with Residence Life Staff of the Office of Student Affairs. (ATTENDANCE REQUIRED) Location: 102 DeBartolo; Time: 6:15-7:45 p.m.
Contracts will be forwarded to rectors for RA and rector signatures.
Note: RA training may begin during the month of April. Those students selected will be notified of dates, times, and locations in advance of training sessions.
If you have questions, please contact the Office of Student Affairs at (574) 631-5550.
Financial Implications for All Students
Room and board for 2007-2008 is worth $9,502.
RA benefits are not considered taxable income. Since this benefit is provided to you for the convenience of the University, and the meals are furnished on the University premises, and the RA is required to live in an assigned room in the dormitory as a condition of their employment, the benefit is tax free.
Financial Implications for Students Receiving Financial Aid
For RAs who receive financial aid packages from the University, please be aware of the following:
- Each student's 2008-2009 University-based scholarship typically will not be affected; however, the total value of the student's scholarship and other financial aid cannot exceed the student's cost of education.
- Students who serve as RAs will not be eligible to work on campus.
- The room and board scholarship that RAs receive (worth $9,502 in 2007-2008) could affect a student's eligibility for government-subsidized loans. To find out whether your financial aid package would be affected, you may contact someone in the Office of Financial Aid to discuss your specific situation at 574-631-6436 (phone) or finaid@nd.edu (e-mail).
Download an Application
You can also pick up an application from Marci Ullery in the Office of Student Affairs, 316 Main Building.
Download Acrobat Reader for free.
Download a blank application.
Download additional blank recommendation forms.
- Fill out the application on the computer and print OR print the application and fill out neatly by hand or typewriter.
- Mail the completed application to the Office of Student Affairs at the address listed below.
- Contact three individuals to write recommendations.
If you have any trouble accessing the application, please do not hesitate to contact Trudy Diamond. We will do our best to work out any bugs as quickly as possible.
Contact Information
Associate Vice President for Residence Life
Office of Student Affairs
316 Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556
574-631-6144