Resident Assistant

A Resident Assistant, or RA, is a full-time undergraduate student living on an assigned residence hall floor and supporting students living there. As a live-in staff member, the primary role of an RA is to build a welcoming and inclusive community within the residence halls, while encouraging cooperation and consideration within group-living environments. In addition to getting to know each resident in their community, Resident Assistants will organize events in the residence hall or escort residents to campus events. An RA also responds to and assists in managing emergency, crisis, and conflict situations, including those between individuals and with university policies and procedures. Anytime a resident has a question or concern, their RA is a great contact for support, and if a floor’s RA is not available, residents should contact the front desk (by phone or in person) for situations that require immediate assistance.

Resident Assistants are expected to:

• Relate to and be a resource for all residents
• Understand and enforce all Housing & Residence Life policies and procedures in addition to University regulations
• Demonstrate appropriate crisis management and effective confrontation skills
• Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills
• Be self-directed, organized, and detail-oriented, providing neat and accurate completion of all work assigned
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills appropriate to working in a service-oriented environment
• Communicate and cooperate with fellow student employees and staff of Housing & Residence Life, University departments, and the University community
• Have knowledge of, or ability to learn, basic information related to Housing & Residence Life, Kilcawley Center, and general University information
• Demonstrate helpful, cooperative attitude in responses to questions concerning the general University, University-wide events and Housing & Residence Life
• Demonstrate a commitment to, and respect for, confidentiality
• Demonstrate a sensitivity to and appreciation for a sense of belonging
• Understand and adhere to regulations outlined in the Resident Handbook and the YSU Student Code of Conduct

Resident Assistants receive training in the many skill areas that will help them be successful as a student-leader in the residence halls, including relationship building, event management, conflict management and resolution, emergency response and management, team and community building, time management, and administrative skills. Attendance and participation for the entirety of pre-semester training, including residence hall opening, prior to the start of each semester and in-service sessions during the semester are required of all Resident Assistants.

Attendance and participation for the entirety of pre-semester training, including residence hall opening, prior to the start of each semester, and continuing training sessions during the semester are required of all Resident Assistants. Resident Assistants are required to return to campus for pre-semester training three weeks prior to the start of classes for the fall semester and one week prior to the start of classes for the spring semester. Resident Assistants are responsible for semester-ending closing procedures through the weekend following the last day of semester final examinations.

All 2027-2028 Resident Assistants will be required to attend an Orientation session during the Spring 2027 semester.

The RA position is a 20-hour-per-week commitment, which includes weekly staff meetings, bi-weekly meetings with the Resident Assistant’s supervisor, on-call responsibilities, maintaining regular visibility in the Resident Assistant’s assigned residential community, regular engagement with students in and around the Resident Assistant’s assigned residential community, and additional department/administrative assignments and responsibilities. The RA position is viewed as the primary “out-of-classroom” commitment. It is, therefore, expected that the scheduling of and attendance at staff meetings, training sessions, on-call responsibilities, and other commitments related to the position supersede all other extracurricular commitments.

Due to the RA position being a 20-hour-per-week commitment, YSU student employment policies prohibit an RA from holding any additional paid positions on campus.

Tentative 2027-2028 academic year dates include (dates are subject to change):

• August 2, 2027 - Pre-Fall semester training for all Resident Assistants begins
• December 10, 2027 - End of Fall semester; Winter Break responsibilities begin
• January 1, 2028 - Pre-Spring semester training begins
• May 1, 2028 - End of Spring semester

Additional dates that require Resident Assistant attendance include:

• Family Weekend – Fall 2027 Dates TBA (typically early October)
• NEOHO Mike Corr RA Conference – Spring 2028 Dates TBA (typically late January)

Students are eligible to hold a Resident Assistant position if they

• Are enrolled as a full-time student at Youngstown State University
• Have and maintain a cumulative and semester YSU GPA of 2.30.
• Are in good academic, financial, and disciplinary standing with YSU and Housing & Residence Life.
• Maintain an active housing contract with YSU Housing & Residence Life
• Meet all the requirements for YSU student employment
• Are available to serve as a Resident Assistant for the full academic year (fall and spring semesters)

In exchange for their service to the YSU community, Resident Assistants receive

• A room within a college residence hall during semesters of employment
• A resident meal plan during semesters of employment
• A stipend equal to $11.40 per hour for up to 20-hours per week during training periods and when classes are in session, distributed in accordance with college payroll schedules and procedures
• Additional hourly or meal stipend compensation may be provided for commitments during academic breaks

Amounts indicated above are for students employed as Resident Assistants for a full academic semester, and amounts may be reduced/prorated if a student is hired after the start of an academic semester to match appropriate billing time commitments.

Please note that RA compensation can impact a student’s financial need for institutional financial aid. Questions about how the RA compensation package would impact individual financial aid should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

All candidates for a 2027-2028 Resident Assistant opportunity should be aware of the following dates and deadlines:

• Monday, November 2, 2026 – Resident Assistant application available
• November 9 – December 11 – Information Sessions (see below for specific dates)
• Sunday, January 10, 2027 – Applications due by 11:59 pm
• January 25 – 29, 2027 – Candidate Group Interviews
• February 8 – 19, 2027 – Candidate Individual Interviews
• Wednesday, February 26, 2027 – RA Offers & Alternate Notifications Sent to YSU emails

Information sessions provide interested students with the opportunity to hear more about the Resident Assistant position and ask questions of people with the answers. Attendance at an information session is required for an application to be considered.

2027-2028 RA Candidate Information Sessions are scheduled for the following dates, times, and locations:

• Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 7:00 pm in the Lyden House Basement Lounge
• Monday, November 16, 2026, at 6:00 pm in the Cafaro House Multipurpose Room
• Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 4:00 pm in the Lyden House Basement Lounge
• Monday, November 23, 2026, at 4:00 pm in the University Courtyard Apartments
• Wednesday, December 2, 2026, at 5:30 pm in the Cafaro House Multipurpose Room
• Monday, December 7, 2026, at 3:00 pm in the Jones Hall Laricia Lounge

Attend an Information Session
Attendance will only be taken at the beginning of the information sessions, and the application link will only be provided at the end of the session. Attendance at an information session is required to receive the application link and for an application to be considered.

Application
At the end of the information session, attendees will be provided with a link to the 2027-2028 Resident Assistant application. A completed application includes:

• An updated resume
• The names and emails of two references who can speak to your knowledge, skills, and experiences (specifically to be successful as an RA)
• Responses to the following questions:
  • What is something unique about you that would enhance the Housing & Residence Life team and a residence hall community?
  • What is something that you hope to gain from serving as an RA beyond employment experience?
  • What tools and strategies do you use to focus your time and ensure your commitments are completed accurately?
  • Please describe your ideal residential community that is inclusive for all members of the penguin community.

For assistance with developing and finalizing a cover letter and resume, please visit the Office of Career Exploration and Development.

Group Interviews
Selected eligible candidates will be invited to participate in a group interview with Housing & Residential Life staff. Group interviews are scheduled to take place the week of January 25 – 29, 2027, and are required for candidates to be considered for a Resident Assistant position. Group interviews are sessions that involve multiple candidates interacting with one another and allow Housing & Residential Life staff to see observable essential skills for the RA position. Group interview sessions will be scheduled for about two hours.

Individual Interviews
Following group interviews, selected eligible candidates will also be invited to participate in an individual interview with the Office of Residential Life staff. Individual interviews are scheduled to take place between Monday, February 8, 2027, and Friday, February 19, 2027, and are required for candidates to be considered for a Resident Assistant position. Each candidate selected for an individual interview will be scheduled for a 30-minute interview conversation with the Housing & Residential Life staff on one of those days.

Position Offers
After all the interviews have been completed, Housing & Residential Life staff will review all candidates’ applications and interview materials and will make offers for confirmed 2027-2028 academic year vacancies. Offers will be communicated to candidates via their YSU e-mail beginning Wednesday, February 26, 2027-

Following individual interviews and a review of all candidates’ applications and interview materials, Housing & Residence Life will make offers to candidates via their YSU e-mail. Candidates can receive one of the following offers:

• 2027-2028 RA – these are offers for a Resident Assistant position for the 2027-2028 academic year, starting in August 2027. Candidates selected for 2027-2028 RA positions will be offered an RA position with a specific residence hall assignment. 2027-2028 Resident Assistants should anticipate returning to campus on or before Monday, August 2, 2027, for team building, training, and opening responsibilities.
• Alternate Candidate – when confirmed vacancies for the 2027-2028 academic year are filled, Housing & Residence Life maintains a list of qualified candidates who have the potential to fill additional vacancies as they become available. Alternate candidates can be offered an RA position any time before or during the 2027-2028 academic year, including prior to, starting in, or during the Spring 2028 semester.

If my GPA is currently below 2.30, can I still apply now to be an RA for the next academic year?
Yes. If a student's GPA is currently below 2.30, they can still be interviewed for an RA position. Following all the interviews, if that student is deemed to have the potential to be a successful RA, they will be offered an opportunity to remain as an Alternate Candidate. Immediately following the semester, Housing & Residence Life will conduct an eligibility verification, including GPA, for all incoming and Alternate Resident Assistant Candidates. If an Alternate Candidate raises their GPA above the minimum required GPA of 2.30, they will be retained as an Alternate Candidate and can be offered an RA position when a position becomes available.

If I am unable to attend an Information Session, can I still be an RA?
No. All RA candidates must attend an information session to ensure they understand the full scope of the role before applying. We encourage you to truly weigh the commitment of becoming an RA prior to applying. All requirements are discussed in information sessions, which also allow you to ask current HRL staff questions about the role.

If I am unable to attend all of the pre-semester training, can I still be an RA?
No. Especially for new Resident Assistants, the pre-semester training is essential for gaining important knowledge and skills, building a positive and effective team dynamic with other Resident Assistants, and having the time to prepare your residence hall community for incoming students. New Resident Assistants should also avoid enrolling in summer session classes or accepting any internships/jobs that would overlap with the training/opening period. When offered an RA position, students will be made aware of all training dates and should take care to plan accordingly.

Are Resident Assistants required to work during semester breaks (Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring)?
Yes. All Resident Assistants are mandated to work at least one break period. Housing and Residence Life is a 365-day, 24/7 operation, as we are a home for many students. Because of this, we must have staff on-call coverage every day. That said, our staff recognizes that Resident Assistants are students and need breaks. Therefore, we do not require you to work every break. Break scheduling is managed by each individual Housing Coordinator (HC). Should you be hired and you have break plans established already, we would require you to communicate those plans with your direct supervisor as soon as possible in writing. All vacations (regardless of whether they are during breaks or not) need to be approved by your HC.