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Rasinen also credits his advertising and promotional efforts for the high volume of applicants. He tried to go to every student group to promote the positions and sought out good candidates to apply. He also attempted a more creative advertising campaign that was more widespread than previous years. In addition, Rasinen told students that the position of Residential Assistant looks good on a resume to most employers. “There should be an excitement about being an RA or CA,” he said.

“There are a lot of leaders on this campus looking for a positive experience,” Rasinen said. This made the hiring decisions harder for him. The hiring process included a formal application with questions, many group exercises in which he evaluated the group interactions, plus an individual interview.

“This year’s staff has done a really good job” of creating interest in the positions, simply by creating a positive experience for the residents, Rasinen said. Recent applicant Michael Richards, first-year, agreed. Richards and his twin brother, Jacob, applied for CA positions. He said he saw the campaigns around, but knowing the people (RAs and CAs) was more convincing. “I had lots of fun; [the RA and CA] became more friends than supervisors to us,” he said.
RA applicant Katie Yohnk also had great experiences with her resident hall staff. “I love my hall director and he inspired me to go for RA,” she said. “I’m really excited for [the position].”

There was a recent shift in how Residential Life has structured the CA position this year. Now all CAs are assigned with an RA to a first-year floor. This is due in part to the fact that RAs on first-year floors have more of a work load, but also so CAs can focus on a single floor versus a whole building. The changes have increased awareness and given a positive outlook on the CA position. The RA and CA positions both do programs that work to develop the community, which in turn creates a safe environment.

“People know the skills you get out of [the positions] and how marketable those are later in life,” Rasinen said. He hopes those who did not get hired for a position this year will re-apply for the next school year.

SOS applicant numbers were also up. Kelly Krebs said that nearly 90 students, including re-applicants, applied for the position this year, compared to almost 70 last year.

“I’d like to think that as the program gets better each year, that that’s part of [the increase],” Krebs said.

Krebs also attributes the increase in applicants to the great experiences SOS leaders have had in the past. “It’s a key memorable experience of your time here,” he said.

The majority of applicants came from first-years. “They are a very involved, motivated class,” he said. Other college campuses seek more experience and do not generally allow first-years to apply. “We don’t do that,” Krebs said. “Next year will be a real test to see if this is a fluke or if this is a culture change on campus.”