Resident Assistants help with student life

By Jonathan Dallis

Campus housing is an important part of the NSU community.  For some, campus life is their first time living on their own. One way the university helps keep the students on track is with the help of resident assistants.

RAs are current students who are at least sophomores.

“Who stand out in the community, and who can help the residents make the transition into college,” said Tammie Willis, assistant director of residence life.

 An RA must maintain a minimum GPA of a 2.5 and pass a series of interviews to be a candidate for the fall semester. It takes more than just good interview skills to become an assistant.

 “We are looking for someone with a high degree of integrity, but also someone who is approachable by the students,” said Willis.  

In the spring semester the campus housing office begins taking applications around February and March, then stage interviews with potential candidates. Once the selections have been made, the new RAs return to the NSU campus around early August and go through two weeks of hands-on training, where they learn how to deal with high stress situations that may come their way.  On average the RAs get paid for 22.5 hours of work a week, even though at times it may feel like they work more than that. 

RAs do more than just post signs and hang out on campus; they are in charge of all students in their halls, and take care of basic maintenance on their floor.

 “I help get people involved, and watch out for students, like if they’re under high stress and just be a friend,” said Danielle Morgan, Bridge Creek junior and current RA of Wilson Hall.

Along with responsibility, the title does come with a few perks; the RA’s get a private room at a semi-private rate, along with getting a chance to meet and socialize with everyone on their floor. Once a student becomes an RA, they are always on the job.

“Anytime they’re on campus, they’re on duty,” said Willis.

 The things that an RA does and how they act could have a drastic effect on how the students perceive them. At the NSU campus, RAs are more than just hall monitors, they are role models and they are friends. 

For more information on how to become an RA visit http://offices.nsuok.edu/housing/HousingHome.aspx.