Resident Assistant applications for the 2017–2018 school year are now available until January 30th, 2017. Becoming a Resident Assistant is a great way to be involved in an on-campus job while living in your residence hall. Resident Assistant position’s allow time for homework and off-campus jobs that are only require five hours a week to their duties.

Residence Hall Director, Jeff Livingston, explained how during the recruitment process, they look for students who are active in their community and enjoy Kent State. “The application process is a simple process that has info sessions with applications opening throughout winter break. Spring semester then leads to interviews with possible candidates and require enrollment in a leadership training course.

Jodi Langley, Resident Assistant for Koonce Hall, explained how the recruitment process can be somewhat fun and influential. Along with essays and interviews during the recruitment process, students must design a bulletin board with a creative twist and take a peer leadership course to ensure the perspective student is right for the job. “My resident assistant freshman year was not helpful and never social,” Langley said. “Oddly enough, she was what inspired me to become an RA. I wanted to be the person who would be helpful, answer questions, and always be there for my residents.” Langley continued to explain how rewarding and beneficial the position is, and she would recommend it to almost anyone.

“There are a lot of benefits you usually don’t think of being an RA. There is a lot of in-services that are required and other activities on campus that involve RA’s,” Langley explained. “People do not understand the amazing benefits in being a Resident Assistant and how much you take out of it.”

Langley is an early childhood education major, and says her position helps her with life situations such as mediation and patience.

If chosen for a resident assistant position, students receive free meal plan and free housing, which subtotal over $9,000 is savings per year. It is stated on Kent State’s website that first year Resident Assistants with a roommate receive a stipend of per semester that is paid bi-weekly.

After the final cuts for resident assistance, the final students will be notified in March if they were chosen.

Livingston explained how there are multiple ways to find out about having a hall council position including a resident assistant. “Starting with your own RA is a great resource to start on because they are all aware of the process and the expectations for perspective resident assistants.”

Residents Christian Gullatta and Hannah Mummey explained they would like to see a positive, understandable, and professional RA who genuinely tries to have a strong bond with their residents.

To be an RA, it all boils down to a commitment to serve students, be a monitor, and enforcer of policy. Being an RA is not about you, it is about putting your residents before yourself.

After the final cuts for Resident Assistants, the selected students will be notified in March if they were chosen. Students can get more information on the position by contacting their personal Resident Assistant, or visiting http://www.kent.edu/housing/ra to get more information on the position.