The Department of University Housing seeks applicants with exceptional leadership skills and a passion for serving the GSU community. As a Resident Assistant, you will play an integral role in the residential life program as you will have an opportunity to positively influence your peers and the community. For this reason, care is taken to select candidates who are responsible and have an interest in and ability to relate to students from diverse cultural backgrounds and lifestyles.
Candidates must meet eligibility requirements (listed below) and successfully complete the RA Selection Process. Please see the RA Recruitment & Selection Process Timeline for additional information.
Eligibility to Apply For the RA Selection Process - In order to be eligible for the RA position, candidates must:
- Have completed at least two semesters as an enrolled student at Governors State University or any other institution of higher education with at least part-time enrollment status (at time of employment in Fall 2020). Both undergraduate and graduate students who are currently enrolled at GSU are eligible to apply.
- Be enrolled for at least six credit hours/semester at time of employment
- Maintain at least a 2.3 cumulative grade point average and a 2.3 semester grade point average.
- Maintain good student conduct standing.
- Must have a passion for serving the GSU Community.
- A completed application, three references, cover letter and résumé must be submitted by the designated deadline date and time - please see RA Recruitment & Selection Process Timeline for dates.
- Candidates must be available to reside on the GSU campus for the entire 2021-2022 Academic Year. Candidates who will not be present on the GSU campus for both the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters (due to December 2021 course completion, study abroad, internship or any other reason) are not eligible to apply for an RA position.
- Pass a criminal background and judicial history check.
Candidates who meet eligibility requirements and who complete all of the application steps will be invited to attend an RA group selection process session.
Top Five Things to Consider When Applying For the RA Position
1. Being an RA is a lifestyle.
- Residents will view you in the RA role whether you are “on-call” or not. Students will look up to you to set a good example whether you are on or off campus.
2. Are you a people person?
- As an RA, not only will you be responsible for the residents that live in your section of the building, but also all the residents in the building. You are expected to be friendly and professional at all time. While being an RA does not require you to be an extrovert, it does require an ability to relate and interact with others. As an RA, you will be expected to be approachable.
3. Consider your academic load and the activities you are involved in.
- Being an RA requires time and energy. You are expected to make time for your residents and maintain a presence in the hall. You will have a number of meetings and required trainings, as well as on-call duties (being in the building from 7 pm until 8 am the next day on weekdays, and from 6 pm to 6 pm the next day on weekends). As an RA, you may have to frequently respond to emergency and non-emergency situations.
- Your RA responsibilities will take precedence over all other activities you are involved in. You will need special permission to be involved in certain activities or work.
- You will be expected to move in early and move out later than your residents. You may also be required to arrive early during the breaks.
4. Consider how well you work in teams.
- As an RA, you will be expected to work with a team that consists of other RAs and your hall director. You will have to be able to support your team members.
5. Consider your financial aid.
- Because of the compensation received (free room), being an RA may reduce the amount of financial aid people receive.
- Contact the Financial Aid office to inquire about potential changes in your specific situation.