Residence Life Student Staff

Position Descriptions
Contents
 Resident Advisor (RA) & Community Assistant (CA)
 Leadership Team Responsibilities
o Senior Resident Advisor (SRA) for First-Year Students
o Head Resident Advisor for Gaines Hall
o Head Resident Adviser for Graham-Lees Hall
o First-Year Experience Coordinator
o Senior Community Assistant (SCA) for Upper-Division Students
o Head Community Assistant for the Village
o Head Community Assistant for Woods Creek and Theme Houses
o Campus Unity Initiative Coordinator

Abbreviations
Senior Resident Advisor (SRA)
Director of Residential Life (DRL)
Dean for First Year Experience (DFY)
Office of Residence Life (ORL)
Campus Unity Initiative Coordinator (CUIC)
Senior Community Assistant (SCA)
Assistant Director of Residence Life (ADRL)
Dean of Sophomores & Juniors (DSJ)
Residential Experience Model (REM)
First-Year Experience Coordinator (FYC)

housing@wlu.edu Washington and Lee University Residence Life

Resident Advisor (RA) &
Community Assistant (CA)
Position Description
The Resident Advisor (RA) and Community Assistant (CA) are members of the Office of Residence Life team at W&L that
serve under the direct supervision of the Director and Assistant Director of Residence Life and the indirect supervision of
class deans. The RA serves in a first-year residence hall, whereas the CA serves in upper-division housing. Appointment
is for the academic year. The Residence Life team fosters inclusive living environments that are conducive to holistic
growth and the University’s tradition of honor. RAs & CAs will support the W&L residential experience by offering
growth opportunities that support self-discovery, citizenship, and future planning.

It is an honor to be selected as a Residence Life staff member at Washington and Lee. The intrinsic rewards include faculty
and peer recognition, leadership and training programs, and a vast potential to learn and influence undergraduate life at
the University. Becoming a staff member helps to prepare students for many issues beyond the college years.

Qualifications
• Enrollment as a current, full-time (12 credit hours/ term) Washington & Lee student.
• Completion of at least one semester as a full-time student at W&L by the start of appointment.
• Achievement and maintenance of a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA; and maintain good
conduct and academic standing at the time of application and throughout the recruitment and
employment period.
• Students seeking to take over 15 credit hours and students seeking other employment must
discuss with the Director or Assistant Director of Residence Life.

Training Obligations
The Office of Residence Life is committed to ensuring that the training of Res Life staff members is intentional and helpful
to their development. In coordination with their staffs, the leadership staff will be responsible for identifying the needs
and goals of each residence hall and will plan and implement appropriate staff development sessions addressing these
issues. Required staff trainings include, but are not limited to:
• A full Residence Life staff training will be conducted prior to the start of the academic year.
Attendance is mandatory; no exceptions will be made. Fall athletes with pre-season obligations
should coordinate with the leadership team and their coach.
• Winter training will be held prior to the start of the Winter semester.
• In-service meetings will be scheduled throughout the academic year to cover varying topics, as
appropriate.

Compensation
For services satisfactorily rendered, the University agrees to provide the RA/CA with the following compensation and
benefits:
• Reserved and furnished RA/CA bedroom and option to select roommate(s) if applicable
• Free room and board plan
• Free parking
• Professional development workshops, conferences, and other opportunities for professional
growth depending on available funding; at the discretion of the Director of Residence Life
Leadership Team Responsibilities
Members of Residential Life Leadership will fulfill all roles and responsibilities as outlined in
the Residence Life RA/CA position description and employment agreement in addition to their
leadership role responsibilities.

Senior Resident Advisor (SRA) for First-Year Students will:

• Serve as a highly visible and approachable senior member of the ORL team.
• Report directly to the DRL and indirectly to the OC and DFY.
• Be responsible for partnering with campus stakeholders to enhance the residential experience;
including, but not limited to Public Safety, Health & Counseling Services, and University Facilities
Management.
• Serve as a leader and role-model for HRAs, the FYC, PTC, and the ORL team as a whole; attend
monthly area meetings between Gaines and Graham-Lees (alternating).
• Work closely and collaboratively with the SCA and DRL to facilitate training, regular leadership
meetings, in-services, staff development opportunities, and professional development initiatives.
• Articulate and support the educational priority and programming goals outlined in the REM.
• SRA and/or SCA may be asked to serve on the Student Affairs Committee with the Dean of Students,
Executive Committee President, the Student Judicial Council Chairman, the Interfraternity Council
President and the Panhellenic Council President to review and improve university policy.
• Provide frequent performance feedback to HRAs, FYC, and PTC; encourage HRAs to provide frequent
performance feedback to RAs in their respective areas.
• Meet regularly with the DRL and/or DFY to share ideas, discuss campus trends, and evaluate ORL
processes and policies.
• Be familiar with all University and ORL policies and procedures. The SRA will serve as a positive role
model in this area and be able to clearly articulate policy and procedure to other staff members.
• Fulfill reasonable duties as assigned by the DRL, DFY, or OC.

Head Resident Advisor for Gaines Hall will:

• Report directly to the SRA and indirectly to the DRL, OC, and DFY.
• Serve as a highly visible and approachable mentor to all Gaines RAs.
• Act as primary advocate for Gaines staff and students; partner closely with campus stakeholders (Peer
Counselors, Public Safety, Facilities Management, etc.) to ensure Gaines is at its prime.
• Plan and facilitate monthly area meetings with Gaines RAs to discuss programming, student concerns,
building trends, campus trends, facilities issues, etc.
• Meet regularly with the SRA to discuss performance, share ideas, and discuss campus trends.
• Disseminate departmental information in a clear and timely fashion.
• Facilitate team development and recognition opportunities for Gaines RAs.
• Work to encourage and evaluate staff performance providing appropriate and timely feedback.
• Articulate and support the educational priority and programming goals outlined in the REM.
• Be familiar with and clearly articulate University and ORL policy and procedure to RAs.
• Assist with the planning and implementation of training and other important ORL initiatives.
• Fulfill reasonable duties as assigned by the SRA, DRL, DFY, or OC.
Head Resident Adviser for Graham-Lees Hall will:
• Report directly to the SRA and indirectly to the DRL, OC, and DFY.
• Serve as a highly visible and approachable mentor to all Graham-Lees RAs.
• Act as primary advocate for Graham-Lees staff and students; partner closely with campus stakeholders
(Peer Counselors, Public Safety, Facilities Management, etc.) to ensure Graham-Lees is at its prime.
• Plan and facilitate monthly area meetings with Graham-Lees RAs to discuss programming, student
concerns, building trends, campus trends, facilities issues, etc.
• Meet regularly with the SRA to discuss performance, share ideas, and discuss campus trends.
• Disseminate departmental information in a clear and timely fashion.
• Facilitate team development and recognition opportunities for Graham-Lees RAs.
• Work to encourage and evaluate staff performance providing appropriate and timely feedback.
• Articulate and support the educational priority and programming goals outlined in the REM.
• Be familiar with and clearly articulate University and ORL policy and procedure to RAs.
• Assist with the planning and implementation of training and other important ORL initiatives.
• Fulfill reasonable duties as assigned by the SRA, DRL, DFY, or OC.

First-Year Experience Coordinator will:

• Also serve as a RA in either Gaines or Graham-Lees (strongly preferred).
• Report directly to the ADRL and DRL, and indirectly to the OC and DFY. Serve as a conduit between
Student Affairs staff and first-year students/RAs.
• Assist the DFY by developing a comprehensive understanding of FYE at W&L, researching best
practices, and proposing targeted enhancements.
• Assist the DFY with planning, implementation, and assessment of first-year initiatives including, but
not limited to pre-orientation, continuing education, move-in, monthly newsletters etc.
• Collaborate with the SRA to disseminate information in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Collaborate with Gaines & Graham-Lees RAs to plan, implement, and assess first-year programming.
• Collaborate with the PTC on academic initiatives and programming.
• Articulate and support the educational priority and programming goals outlined in the REM.
• Attend monthly area meetings between Gaines and Graham-Lees (alternating); provide updates as they
relate to the first-year experience.
• Assist with the planning and implementation of training and other important ORL initiatives.
• Fulfill reasonable duties as assigned by the DRL, DFY, or OC.
Senior Community Assistant (SCA) for Upper-Division Students will:
• Serve as a highly visible and approachable senior member of the Residential Life team.
• Report directly to the DRL and indirectly to the OC and DSJ.
• Be responsible for partnering with campus stakeholders to enhance the residential experience;
including, but not limited to Public Safety, Health & Counseling Services, and University Facilities
Management.
• Serve as a leader and role-model for HCAs and the ORL team as a whole. Attend monthly area
meetings between the Village and Woods Creek/Theme Housing (alternating).
• Work closely and collaboratively with the SRA and DRL to facilitate training, regular leadership
meetings, in-services, staff development opportunities, and professional development initiatives.
• Articulate and support the educational priority and programming goals outlined in the REM.
• SCA and/or SRA may be asked to serve on the Student Affairs Committee with the Dean of Students,
Executive Committee President, the Student Judicial Council Chairman, the Interfraternity Council
President and the Panhellenic Council President to review and improve university policy.
• Provide frequent performance feedback to HCAs; encourage HCAs to provide frequent performance
feedback to CAs in their respective areas.
• Meet regularly with the DRL to share ideas, discuss campus trends, and evaluate ORL processes and
policies.
• Be familiar with all University and ORL policies and procedures. The SCA will serve as a positive role
model in this area and be able to clearly articulate policy and procedure to other staff members.
• Fulfill reasonable duties as assigned by the DRL, DSJ, or OC

Head Community Assistant for the Village

• Report directly to the SCA and DRL and indirectly to the OC and DSJ.
• Serve as a highly visible and approachable mentor to all Village CAs.
• Act as primary advocate for Village staff and students; partner closely with campus stakeholders
(Public Safety, Facilities Management, etc) to ensure the Village is at its prime.
• Plan and facilitate monthly area meetings with Village CAs to discuss programming, student concerns,
community trends, campus trends, facilities issues etc.
• Meet regularly with the SCA to discuss performance, share ideas, and discuss campus trends.
• Disseminate departmental information in a clear and timely fashion.
• Facilitate team development and recognition opportunities for Village CAs.
• Work to encourage and evaluate staff performance providing appropriate and timely feedback.
• Articulate and support the educational priority and programming goals outlined in the REM.
• Be familiar with and clearly articulate University and ORL policy and procedure to CAs.
• Assist with the planning and implementation of training and other important ORL initiatives.
• Fulfill reasonable duties as assigned by the SRA, DRL, DSJ, or OC.
Head Community Assistant for Woods Creek and Theme Houses
• Report directly to the SCA and DRL and indirectly to the OC and DSJ.
• Serve as a highly visible and approachable mentor to all Village CAs.
• Act as primary advocate for Village staff and students; partner closely with campus stakeholders
(Public Safety, Facilities Management, etc) to ensure the Village is at its prime.
• Plan and facilitate monthly area meetings with Village CAs to discuss programming, student concerns,
community trends, campus trends, facilities issues etc.
• Meet regularly with the SCA to discuss performance, share ideas, and discuss campus trends.
• Disseminate departmental information in a clear and timely fashion.
• Facilitate team development and recognition opportunities for Village CAs.
• Work to encourage and evaluate staff performance providing appropriate and timely feedback.
• Articulate and support the educational priority and programming goals outlined in the REM.
• Be familiar with and clearly articulate University and ORL policy and procedure to CAs.
• Assist with the planning and implementation of training and other important ORL initiatives.
• Fulfill reasonable duties as assigned by the SRA, DRL, DSJ, or OC.

Campus Unity Initiative Coordinator:

• Also serve as a CA (strongly preferred).
• Report directly to the DRL and ADRL.
• Work closely with all CAs to coordinate regularly scheduled CUI events and other related programs.
• Coordinate promotional efforts for CUI events and other related programs.
• Articulate and support the educational priority and programming goals outlined in the REM.
• Keep track of program details for periodic reports and propose enhancements to the CUI program in
order to best meet W&L student needs.
• Work closely with the FYC to engage first-year students in program offerings and to plan social events
for the Residential Life Staff.
• Attend monthly area meetings between the Village and Woods Creek/Theme Houses (alternating);
provide updates as they relate to CUI events and other programming needs.
• Attend monthly meetings of the Office of Inclusion and Engagement (OIE).
• Collaborate with the Director of Student Activities, Intramural Programs, the Outing Club, Peer
Counselors, the Office of Inclusion and Engagement, Religious Life, and all other key campus
stakeholders.