Graduate Assistant of Residential Life

Summary

The GA position at VCU focuses on developing, administering, and supporting a comprehensive residence life program through the education and management of residential students. GAs are expected to uphold RLH values: Collaboration, Inclusion & Diversity, Resident Centered, Learning, and Excellence. GAs enhance each resident’s experience through promoting academic success for residents, assisting in the management of student leaders, implementing educational training and programming, and developing positive community leadership.

Responsibilities

GAs must participate in the RLH evaluation process, including a formal evaluation during the spring semester. Evaluations are based on these responsibilities, which set forth specific standards for continuation in the GA position and determine whether an GA is considered to return for another year.

Collaboration

• Communicate clearly with students, supervisor, and campus partners through written, verbal and nonverbal interactions
• Know and effectively utilize available resources, including RLH staff, campus partners, and community resources
• Serve as a knowledgeable University and community resource and refer residents as appropriate
• Contribute to the success of the department by addressing individual and group needs
• Be available, approachable, and accessible to students and staff

Inclusion & Diversity

• Expand personal knowledge about people with differing values, perspectives, experiences, and identities

• Address inappropriate, insensitive, or intolerant behavior with sensitivity to the potentially conflicting needs of the individuals involved in a manner that deescalates tension and conflict
• Promote civility and inclusiveness within the community by treating all individuals with fairness, equity, and respect
• Support Multicultural Affairs initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Facilitate conversations among diverse residents to support their learning and development

Resident Centered

• Establish oneself as a leader by developing and maintaining relationships with individual residents through supporting student leaders and students of concern
• Advise student leaders on the coordination and implementation of programs/activities that promote relationship building throughout the floor, building, and campus community
• Support student leaders through regular meetings and staff development exercises
• Address community needs through the planning, implementation, attendance, and evaluation of a variety of programmatic initiatives
• Respond to all questions, inquiries, and conflict/crisis situations efficiently and effectively

Learning

• Prepare for, actively engage in, and assist with in-person and virtual training sessions, area meetings, staff meetings, one-on-one meetings, Residential Life and Housing meetings, and other developmental activities

• Promote academic success outside of the classroom through the support of academic initiatives and programs
• Understand, educate, and reinforce the VCU Student Code of Conduct and RLH policies, and follow up with residents after incidents have occurred
• Understand and follow the protocols set forth in the Gold Book, and think critically about how to effectively handle a variety of situations
• Support residents’ development of skills related to civility, interpersonal dialogue, and responsible behaviors

Excellence

• Treat students, guests, and staff with courtesy and respect
• Be punctual and reliable in responding to all administrative and functional components of the role, including, but not limited to duty shifts (if applicable), meetings, reports, checking email/voicemail, addressing facility concerns, and following up on matters of student safety/security.
• Oversee complete management (i.e., planning, implementing, budgeting, assessing, etc.) of assigned initiatives
• Manage multiple competing priorities, including academic, personal, and position-related demands
  Demonstrate a positive attitude and commitment toward RLH through initiative, motivation, flexibility, teamwork, and recognizing and supporting others
• Complete other duties as assigned by my direct supervisor and the Residential Life Leadership Team.

In addition to the general responsibilities, unique responsibilities to each of the GA positions are also listed below.

Graduate Assistant of Residential Life for Leadership Programs

The Graduate Assistant for Leadership Programs is a live-off graduate student position supervised by the Assistant Director of Residential Life for Leadership Programs. Key contributions to the department include providing significant administrative support to the Assistant Director; recruitment, selection, and training of student leaders for the Residence Hall Association, National Residence Hall Honorary, and RAM CAMP, a leadership program for first-year residents; and other projects associated with campus leadership programs. Time commitments include holding office hours, evening and weekend time with students at various leadership programs and meetings, and supporting other departmental initiatives.


Graduate Assistant of Residential Life for Community & Connection
The Graduate Assistant of Residential Life for Community & Connection is a graduate student live-off position supervised by the Assistant Director of Residential Life for Community & Connection. Key contributions to the department include providing significant administrative support to the Assistant Director; creating and assessing student staff diversity and inclusion training; scheduling programming in the residence halls; and planning, implementing, and assessing DEI initiatives led by Residential Life and Housing. Time commitments are generally limited to office hours and administrative tasks, but could extend into after-hours work such as programming, advising, facilitating training opportunities, or supporting departmental initiatives.