Student Leadership and Employment

Office of Residential Life

The Office of Residential Life offers a number of opportunities for students to practice leadership through on-campus employment: Resident Assistant, Residential Housing Association Executive Board, and Residential Life Office Assistant.

Resident Assistant

The Resident Assistant (RA) is a full-time student who, under the supervision and direction of the Area Coordinator, serves as a peer educator, counselor, administrator, role model, friend, and team member for the residents of a floor or wing in a residence hall. The RA works to create and maintain a healthy environment that supports the educational mission of Hamline University and the academic and personal growth of the students within their assigned living unit. In carrying out his or her duties, the RA is expected to treat other students, supervisors, and fellow employees with courtesy and respect.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Report directly to the Area Coordinator
  • Live in assigned residence hall for the entire term of appointment
  • Participate in a daily rotating duty coverage:
    • 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
    • 5 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday
    • 5 p.m. Saturday to 5 p.m. Sunday
  • Develop and maintain formal and informal relationships with residents
  • Encourage student involvement in shaping floor community
  • Be knowledgeable about university resources to help students find their niche in the wider campus community
  • Respond appropriately to students in crisis (physical, emotional, etc.) through assessment and referral to experienced professionals
  • Understand and educate residents about university and Residential Life policies and regulations
  • Other duties as assigned

Residential Housing Associate Executive Board (RHA)

RHA is the governing board of the Residential Programming Committees. Students elected and assigned to these positions are the voice and representatives to the Office of Residential Life for on-campus students. The RHA executive board is responsible for managing a programming budget, distributing funds to the hall councils, and planning large on-campus programs such as the Late Night Study BREAKfast, Lil' Sibs Weekend, Amazing Race, and Haunted Hallway. The RHA executive board attends regional and national conferences and is a stipend position. The executive board positions include President, Treasurer, Historian, National Communications Chair, Programming Communications Chair, Community Enrichment Chair, and Frequent Programming Chair. For more information, please email RHA at rha@hamline.edu.

Residential Life Office Assistant

The Office Assistant is responsible for assisting with the day to day operations of the Residential Life Office. Duties include staffing the office, key inventory, preparations for early arrival groups, and opening and closing. The Office Assistant must have the ability to perform tasks with minimum supervision/instruction, be self motivated, and have great attention to detail. The Office Assistant represents the Residential Life office and should display professionalism at all times. Confidentiality is vital, and the Office Assistant should never repeat confidential information that is related to them directly or overheard while working in the office. The Office Assistant reports to the Operations Coordinator for Student Affairs.