Resident Assistant Information

Resident Assistant Job Description 2025-2026

Requirements:

  • Must have been enrolled as a Missouri State University-West Plains student for at least one semester
  • 2.5 cumulative grade point average must be earned and maintained throughout employment as an RA
  • Must be enrolled in 12-16 credit hours each semester at Missouri State University-West Plains
  • Students who are enrolled in 12-16 hours in the MSU Outreach program can be considered.
  • Must adhere to the policies set forth by Missouri State University-West Plains

Responsibilities:

  • Administrative

    • Report and follow up on maintenance concerns within the residence halls
    • Maintain accurate records of those residents assigned to your area
    • Assist Director of Residence Life with opening and closing of residence halls
    • Assist Director of Residence Life with periodic reports and inspections as assigned by the Department of Residence Life
      Assist in evacuation of residents during emergencies
    • Be on duty for the entire hall on a rotating basis worked out with the Director of Residence Life and Assistant Residence Life Manager
    • Monitor multi-purpose rooms (i.e. laundry, community, and computer rooms) and immediate outside areas for neatness and attractiveness
    • Submit incident reports of any university and/or Residence Life policy(s) when warnings are inappropriate or have previously been unheeded

  • Counseling/Listening

    • Assert yourself as a peer counselor through preventive, supportive, and information giving “counseling”

    • Serve as a referral agent when a resident may need more professional assistance

  • Activity Programming

    • Conduct regular floor/hall meetings and use other means by which to determine interests, needs, and capabilities of your resident(s)

    • Promote hall and floor activities

    • Responsible for planning and executing at least one program per semester.

    • Initiate and/or coordinate a designated number of floor/hall parties, activities, or projects per semester

    • Work closely with the Director of Residence Life and Assistant Residence Life Manager in promoting floor and hall unity and identity

    • Maintain notices of special events, residents, closing, etc.

  • Commitment to Development of Yourself as an Individual and an RA

    • Attend scheduled team meetings with the Residence Life team

    • Attend one-on-one meetings with the Director of Residence Life and Assistant Residence Life Manager for an evaluation of your job performance, discuss your concerns, and other pertinent information relating to the Residence Life program

    • Help in facilitating floor/hall meetings

    • Periodically conduct a self evaluation and re-evaluation of personal goals, as well as floor/hall and Residence Life goals

    • Attend and actively participate in all required training workshops led by the Director of Residence Life

  • Outside Involvement

    • New RA’s may be employed or have commitments outside of housing up to 10 hours per week (for additional hours, special permission must be given by the Director of Residence Life).

    • Returning RA’s may be employed or have commitments outside of housing up to 15 hours per week (for additional hours, special permission must be given by the Director of Residence Life).

    • Employment or commitments outside of housing must be approved by the Director of Residence Life before the RA can begin working.

    • The RA should discuss the possibility of any commitments outside of housing or employment before applying for the opportunity to be an RA.

    • RA’s with academic or performance concerns may be requested to restrict commitments outside of housing.

    • If an RA is unable to balance commitments outside of housing or employment and uphold expected performance as an RA, progressive disciplinary action(s) may be taken.

Other Information

  • Roommates/Suitemates

    • All RA’s will be assigned a suitemate. As space allows, RA’s will be provided a single bedroom.

  • Remuneration: 2025-2026 Academic Year

    • Room and board scholarship ($7,950 for Fall and Spring semesters)

    • Room and board scholarship ($3,975 for single semester)

  • Financial Assistance Agreements May Affect Financial Aid Award

    • The federal government requires the University to monitor all the resources available to a student who receives federal financial aid. If you have applied for or are receiving a Missouri Grant, Supplemental Grant, Work-Study job, or a Stafford Loan, those sources of aid may be affected if you become an RA. Aid applicants should check with the Financial Aid Office before accepting a Resident Assistant position to determine what financial aid adjustment, if any, might be necessary.

*If any of the above expectations are not met, the Resident Assistant may be placed in a probationary status. During that probationary period, the RA will have to make adjustments in his/her performance to meet those expectations set forth by the Director of Residence Life, or the staff member may be released from his/her position.