Resident Assistants
Resident Assistants (R.A.s) are employed in one-year terms by the Dean of Students Office to serve a range of important roles in the HLS dormitories. As liaisons between residents and the Dean of Students Office, R.A.s are an extension of the DoS staff. They orient students to residence life, HLS and Cambridge; build community in the dorms through events and activities; and assist with resolving problems and issues. In addition, R.A.s are expected, in conjunction with the Dean of Students Office, to deal with emergency situations and to emphasize safety in the dorms.
The responsibilities of an R.A. include:
- Plann activities to build community among the residents on the floor such as ice cream socials, movie nights, late night study breaks, career-planning sessions for 1Ls, etc.
- Work collaboratively with other R.A.s on HLS housing-wide events and smaller dorm-wide events.
- Promote and participate in events organized by the Dean of Students Office, fellow R.A.s, and S.A.C. reps.
- Hold a floor meeting twice during the beginning of the year and as needed during the remainder of the academic year.
- Inform residents of the housing policies and rules outlined in the HLS Housing Handbook; and monitor compliance.
- Help residents, particularly first-year J.D.s and LL.M.s adjust to residence life, HLS and Cambridge.
- Promote general awareness of security issues and dorm safety among residents.
- Maintain and have responsibility for the master keys for the dorms.
- Open a resident's room door when s/he is locked out.
- Work with Facilities Management to report repair and maintenance needs.
- Assume general supervisory responsibility for the neatness and cleanliness of floors/entryways, especially the kitchens and lounges.
- Keep track of expenditures and be aware of assigned Resident Assistant activity budget.
- Assist with Admitted Applicants Weekend, with the housing options presentation and leading dorm tours.
- Serve as liaisons between residents and the Dean of Students Office.
- Attend meetings every three weeks or as necessary organized by HLS Dean of Students Office to discuss upcoming activities and collaborate on any dorm issues that may arise.
- Attend brief one-on-one check-in meetings once per month with Housing Administrator, Doug Walo
- Be the R.A. On Duty one weekend per term. The R.A. On Duty is on call for any lock-outs, issues that might arise, and any emergencies that occur.
- Participate in R.A. Orientation, scheduled for Monday, August 25, 2008 and Wednesday, August 27, 2008.
- Assist residents with move-in on Tuesday, August 26, 2008.
- Serve as Orientation Leaders during J.D. Orientation, scheduled for Thursday, August 28, 2008 - Sunday, August 31, 2008.
- Graduating R.A.s assist with the hiring of new R.A.s for the following academic year.