What Is a Resident Assistant (RA)?
A resident assistant, or RA, is a trained student leader, usually an upperclass student or graduate student, who lives in a residence hall and supports the students on their floor or in their building. The role exists at many US colleges. Similar roles go by other names, such as resident advisor, residence life don, residential tutor or hall warden.
What RAs do
- Build community, by organizing floor meetings, social events and educational programs.
- Enforce policies, such as quiet hours, guest rules and alcohol and safety regulations, and document violations.
- Offer support, listening to concerns about roommates, homesickness and stress, and referring students to counseling, health and academic services.
- Respond to emergencies, including fires, medical issues and safety concerns, and follow protocols.
- Provide information about campus resources, rules and facilities.
- Check the condition of rooms and report maintenance problems.
- Be on call at set times, usually in rotation.
How RAs are chosen and trained
Housing departments recruit RAs through applications, group activities and interviews, and train them in topics such as crisis response, mediation, diversity and inclusion, mental health awareness and the law. In return, RAs usually receive free housing and sometimes meal plans or stipends.
Working well with your RA
- Introduce yourself at the start of the year, and go to floor meetings.
- Learn the housing rules in your contract.
- Raise roommate concerns early, because RAs can mediate.
- Ask for help if you are struggling, since they know the resources.
- Be respectful of their role. They are students too, balancing classes and duties.
Confidentiality
RAs are usually required to report certain issues, such as threats of harm, abuse or violations of sexual misconduct policies. They may not be able to keep these secrets, and good RAs explain this upfront. If you want confidential support, counseling centers and some campus offices offer it.
Related terms
See dorm, honor code, title IX and commuter student.
Frequently asked questions
What does an RA do?
Builds community, enforces residence hall policies, provides information and referrals, responds to emergencies and organizes activities for residents on their floor or in their building.
Can an RA get me in trouble?
RAs enforce housing policies and report serious concerns, but their role is mainly supportive. Knowing the rules and talking to them early usually prevents problems.
How do I become an RA?
Apply through the housing office, usually in the fall or winter, with references and interviews. RAs often receive free room and sometimes a meal plan or stipend, in exchange for training and duties.