Resident Advisor (RA)

This position collaborates closely with fellow members of the Bantam Network (Housing & Residence Life) team to cultivate inclusive environments that promote students’ growth and personal development. The RA plays a key role in this development within residential communities by:

• Fostering social connections
• Upholding community well-being
• Minimizing harm
• Providing support and resources to students in need

Our objective is to help students achieve a harmonious balance between their responsibilities to themselves, others, and their community. In this role, you will acquire valuable skills such as conflict mediation and resolution, community engagement, program planning, policy enforcement, and on-duty procedures.

Outside of the residence halls, RAs can expect to participate in weekly and bi-weekly meetings with their neighborhood staff and supervisors. These gatherings will center around student-related topics and conversations regarding personal and professional development in the role. We genuinely care about your success and recognize the significance of the RA position. Rest assured, a dedicated team of professionals is here to support you throughout your RA journey.

At the Bantam Network, our mission is to provide safe and secure housing within an inclusive community that fosters student success and enhances student retention. RAs serve as representatives of Trinity College, addressing student issues and concerns within their residential communities.

All RAs share the same responsibilities, whether a new RA, or a returning RA, whether they are placed in a first-year area or an upper-class area. Due to the varying incoming class sizes each year and housing placements, the number of residents assigned to each RA may fluctuate. The Bantam Network strives to maintain a ratio that is as close to equal as possible; however, the expectations and accountability are uniform throughout, along with the compensation. Each RA reports to a professional staff member within the Bantam Network, specifically a Residential Learning Coordinator (RLC), who provides support and guidance throughout this journey.

Community Engagement

Neighborhoods

The RA resides in a neighborhood made up of multiple residential buildings in close proximity. They collaborate with other RAs within the same community. The RA is responsible for overseeing a designated floor (s) within their assigned building. The neighborhoods and buildings are listed below:

• South Campus: Funston, Trinity, Jackson, Smith
• Long Walk: Elton, Jones, Cook, Goodwin, Northam Towers, Jarvis
• Vernon: Hansen, High Rise, Doonesbury, North Campus, Vernon Place
• Crescent: Summit North, Summit South, Stowe, Clemens

Residence Hall Assignment 

• The number of residents varies depending on the assignment, with the intention of making it as equal as possible for each RA.
• To begin fostering a sense of community immediately, RAs must meet each of their assigned residents face-to-face within a certain time, set by the Bantam Network at the start of the school year. This can be achieved through several methods, including an initial floor meeting, a community event, or a meaningful conversation at their door.
• To foster socially inclusive residential communities, it is essential to focus on establishing residential norms, defining community standards and expectations, creating roommate agreements, and discussing mediation strategies.
• Establish a proactive and visible presence within the residential community by spending quality time in the communal spaces. This will help you create a meaningful impact.
• Be available to your residents when they require support, while maintaining reasonable boundaries.

Bulletin Boards and Door Tags

• The Bantam Network provides RAs with essential resources to create bulletin boards and door tags that meet the needs of their residential community. RAs are expected to update their boards and door tags three times over the course of the academic year.
• The first set due in August during RA training, Second set due in November before Thanksgiving, and one set due in Spring before March. RAs must remove door tags when residents move out and create new ones for incoming students, with notifications provided by your supervisor.

Programming/ Community Engagement 

• In alignment with our residential curriculum, RAs receive funds to host a floor meeting or community-focused event during the following months: August, September, October, November, February, March, and April. This initiative will create a chance to connect, strengthen relationships, and discuss community standards with your residents.
• For two programs over the academic year, RAs must collaborate with their fellow building RAs, or campus partner of their choosing. A list of ideas and campus partners can be found in our Programming Bank, located within the RA Manual.
• In collaboration with your supervisor, RAs must monitor their allocated budget for each program to enhance their personal development in money management.

Peer Intervention & Support

• Address conflicts with an inclusive approach, ensuring all parties feel heard while guiding residents toward realistic strategies and solutions.
• Work in partnership with professional staff at the Bantam Network when resident issues escalate, including assisting in roommate mediation meetings.
• Inform residents about the available campus resources and support systems, including referrals to the Bantam Network Office for higher-level assistance if necessary.
• Provide informal warnings to residents and guests as required, covering aspects such as cleanliness, space usage, and public posting (which may lead to additional floor meetings).
• Follow up on students of concern when alerted, to prioritize the safety and well-being of those in need of support.
• RAs serve as Mandated Reporters, meaning that they are required to report incidents related to Title IX, hate-based actions, mental health emergencies, and any policy violations to the appropriate authorities.

On-Call Duty Shifts

The number of on-call duty shifts fluctuates depending on the staff size in each neighborhood. You will be paired with a fellow RA during your duty shifts. While on duty, you will hold one of two roles: Primary RA or Secondary RA. The primary RA is tasked with recording rounds and incidents in our software systems, while the secondary RA supports the primary by accompanying them on rounds and assisting with various duties.

• RAs will work selected shifts running from 8:00pm-8:00am on weekdays and weekends.
• When on duty, RAs must stay within the assigned neighborhood from the start of the shift at 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM the following day.
• When on duty, RAs will complete 2 sets of rounds on weekdays and 3 sets of rounds on weekends in the assigned neighborhood.
• On weekdays, the first set of rounds starts at 8pm; the second set starts at 10:30pm. On weekends, the first set starts at 8pm, the second set starts at 10:30pm, and the third set starts at 12:30am.
• During rounds, RAs will digitally document various matters using our housing software. This includes reporting policy violations, work orders, and the overall condition of neighborhood bathrooms, common areas, laundry facilities, and hallways. A comprehensive list of policy violations is available in the RA manual.
• RAs will remain attentive to the RA Group Chat for any incidents that may occur and follow up on them.
• RAs will fill out the online Duty Log at the conclusion of each on-call shift.
• RAs have the full support of Campus Safety and are available to assist them if issues arise.

Personal/Professional Development

• Mandatory weekly meetings with the neighborhood staff to discuss neighborhood issues, trends, and professional development skills.
• Mandatory bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with your supervisor to discuss personal and professional development and specific student concerns. There may be a request from the supervisor for additional meetings on a need basis.
• RAs attend two, one hour-long all-staff meetings each semester.
• RAs must be available to assist in other Bantam Network tasks such as RA selection, New Student Move-In, and Closings.
• Full attendance and participation in meetings and training as scheduled.
• RAs will abide by the rules, policies, and procedures of The Bantam Network (Housing & Residence Life) as stated in the Student Handbook and the RA Manual, and to maintain a level of conduct consistent with that expected of an employee of the College. This includes upholding the Student Conduct Code and all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

You must fulfill and maintain the following qualifications to be a Resident Advisor:

Good Academic Standing

Resident Advisors are required to uphold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remain in their position. If your GPA falls between 2.5 and 2.9 at any point during the year, your supervisor will engage in discussions with you about your academic progress.

Good Social Standing

Resident Advisors must maintain “good conduct standing” with Trinity College.

Other Job/Commitment Policy

Resident Advisors must inform their supervisor if they hold more than 10 hours per week of outside leadership/membership positions. International Students must abide rules related to their additional employment on a student visa.

Status as a Responsible Employee

As Responsible Employees, RAs are considered mandatory reporters and must report any possible Title IX violations to the Title IX Coordinator.

Title IX Training

All RAs are expected to complete Title IX training at the fall and spring trainings. If the RA is unable to attend the session during trainings, they will be expected to attend the make-up session. RAs who do not comply may be subject to termination from the role.

This contracted role is for one full academic year, encompassing the Fall through the Spring semester. The agreement includes an eight-day mandatory training session prior to New Student Orientation, followed by a three-day mandatory training before the start of classes in the spring semester. (Four-days for new mid-year hire RAs)

RAs are not expected to work during Finals, or when the college is closed during:

• Thanksgiving
• Winter break
• Spring break

This role necessitates that all RAs be present on campus and actively participate in training sessions and other mandatory commitments set in advance by the Bantam Network. If you find yourself unable to attend, you must seek approval and provide prior written notification to your supervisor and evaluate the potential impact using our accountability system document.

This role offers considerable flexibility; however, we require that during crucial times of the year—specifically during winter and spring closing—RAs must be present and will not be allowed to take absences. Teamwork is vital during these important periods, making it essential for RAs to be on-site.

This is a contracted position, beginning two weeks before students arrive in the Fall, and ends the day after the last final of 2027.  In recognition of the services rendered by the Resident Advisor, the Bantam Network will offer the following compensation, determined by the time dedicated to the role:

• Total stipend of $6,000 (on bi-weekly payroll from the first day of the contract, until the last day of the contract, as specified above).
• $100 in Bantam Bucks that is split $50 each semester.
• 1 Wellness Credit: only applicable for one full academic year and cannot be applied for each year that you return to the role.