RESIDENT ASSISTANT AGREEMENT
Academic Year 2013-2014
The following are expectations for you as a Resident Assistant employed by Westmont College. You will:
- Live publicly and privately in a manner that is consistent with a commitment to Christian discipleship.
- Have complete knowledge of, personally uphold, and enforce all the policies for students as listed in the Westmont College Student Handbook. Any Level II or Level III policy violation will most likely result in immediate dismissal from the position.
- Fulfill “On-duty” assignments, including weekend nights on a rotating basis. “On-duty” begins at 7pm and ends at 7am and responsibilities vary by hall, but include being available to residents, and remaining in the hall at all times.*
- Be available to residents on non-“On-duty” nights. No less than three full nights per week (including “On-duty” nights) should be dedicated to your section and hall.
- Be responsible for your continuing learning about leadership and the RA position through enrollment in AP 085: Foundations of Residence Life (Fall), attending bi-weekly all Residence Life meetings (Spring), and periodic Residence Life Gatherings (both semesters).
- Actively contribute to the development and support of fellow staff members by attending mandatory weekly staff meetings with your hall staff, participating in fall and spring staff retreats, and consistently keeping regularly scheduled individual meetings with your RD and other RAs.
- Participate in planning and implementing hall community programs (social and educational) as directed by your RD in an effort to create a challenging and supportive learning environment for all residents.
- Commit yourself to expanding the multicultural atmosphere of the campus through support of programming efforts and campus initiatives, and through modeling sensitivity toward issues of diversity.
- Be knowledgeable of campus resources and direct residents to these resources as appropriate.
- Participate in the recruitment and selection of resident assistants for the following year.
In addition to the above expectations, you are asked to adhere to the following policies:
- Additional employment, volunteer work, or involvement in other campus organizations shall be limited and subject to the approval of the Resident Director, in consultation with the Associate Dean for Residence Life.
- You may be absent from campus on your “weekend away” once per month. “Weekends away” will begin at noon on Friday and end at 7pm on Sunday. Remember that a good RA is a present RA! Weekday nights away should be limited and must be consulted with your RD first. Resident Directors may make exceptions to this policy if appropriate.
- Model a strong commitment to your academic endeavor by maintaining a current GPA of 3.0 or above. If you drop below a 3.0 cumulative GPA, you will most likely be asked to limit some or all of your campus involvement (i.e. other work, clubs, etc.).
- Model a commitment to chapel attendance as outlined in the Westmont Student Handbook.
*The time and location varies for each dorm.
Your employment contract begins on Wednesday, August 7th at 2pm and ends Sunday, May 4th at 5pm. You should arrive to campus no later than this time and are required to stay until the end of your contract time. While you are on contract as a Resident Assistant, you are allowed to take the following breaks. You should pay close attention to the dates and times of these breaks as you plan your time away. Please consult with your Resident Director and this schedule before making travel arrangements.
| Break | When you can leave | When you need to return |
|---|---|---|
Back to Campus |
Wednesday, August 7th–2pm | |
| Fall Four Day | Friday, October 11th–Noon | Tuesday, October 15th–6pm |
| Thanksgiving | Tuesday, November 26th–Noon | Sunday, December 1st–6pm |
| Christmas | Saturday, December 14th–5pm | Friday, January 3rd–4pm |
| President's Holiday | Friday, February 14th–Noon | Tuesday, February 18th–6pm |
| Spring Break | Friday, March 7th–Noon | Sunday, March 16th–6pm |
| Easter Recess | Thursday, April 17th–Noon | Monday, April 21st–6pm |
| End of Contract | Sunday, May 4th–5pm |
Modifications to this schedule must be approved by the Associate Dean for Residence Life or your Resident Director.
Remuneration
Your remuneration for the fulfillment of these expectations, policies, and work schedules will be a fully paid room (2012-2013: $7,300) plus a $310 stipend that will be paid upon completion of Fall RA training.
Performance Review
Your performance as a staff member and as a student at Westmont College will be periodically reviewed by your Resident Director and the Associate Dean for Residence Life. You may be asked to resign your position if you are not adhering to the specific details or the spirit of this agreement.
These bases of employment are set forth as a foundation for facilitating your success as a Resident Assistant, and fostering a productive and growing relationship between the Resident Director representing Westmont College and you as Resident Assistant.