Resident Assistants
RAs are usually upper-division students who live on the floor/wing to serve as the primary resource for building community and fostering student learning and growth.
RAs are responsible for building a positive community on their floor and within the building; assisting residents with both personal and academic concerns; helping residents connect with each other and UND; being an educator by promoting and supporting intentional learning through our residential curriculum; having knowledge of and upholding University policy; and serving as a resource and/or liaison for the University.
Find RA Positions
RA Job Description
The Resident Assistant is directly accountable to their Resident Director (RD), Community Assistant (CA) and indirectly accountable to the Associate Director of Residence Life and Director of Housing & Residence Life. They serve on a staff ranging from four to sixteen RAs depending on the hall. RAs, on average, work approximately 20 hours per week.
Selection Process Timeline
All applicants are encouraged to attend an RA Info Session or contact joshua.john.miller@UND.edu if they have questions on the application process.
Important Dates for the Fall 2025 RA Application
December 4, 2024
RA application available.
January 21 and 22, 2025
Info Session on Zoom at 6 p.m.
Meeting ID: 991 4907 0433
Passcode: 468346
Meeting ID: 968 2799 7711
Passcode: 052173
December 10th Info Session Recording
January 31, 2025
Applications due. Please ensure all materials have been submitted, including your online application, video submission, optional resume, optional cover letter and one reference. For any questions, please contact:
Joshua Miller
Resident Director, McVey Hall
joshua.john.miller@UND.edu
Video Submission Guidelines
As part of your application for the RA position you are required to submit a video introducing yourself and promoting the reasons why you should be considered for the RA position. The video should showcase your authentic self, get creative and consider this your first impression to the Resident Directors.At minimum, please include your name, pronouns, current hall, why you would like to be an RA, the purpose of an RA, and how you would build a positive and inclusive community in your area. You may also consider including strengths you would bring to the position, what you hope to gain from being an RA, potential programs you would host, the impact of your current RA, the impact you would have as an RA, what community you think you would work best in and why, and anything else you think is relevant.
For your video submission, you may take it on any device or platform you would prefer, try to keep your video at three minutes or less. Please take your video in a quiet space with an appropriate background and review it once completed before submission.
Once you are done, please label the file with your first and last name and send it to Sofia Hansen at Sofia.Hansen@UND.edu. For questions or issues with the application process, please reach out to Sofia.
Reference Form Information
The final material required for the RA role is a completed reference form from someone in your life that can speak on your work ethic and ability to handle the RA role. We highly recommend your reference is someone that currently works for UND Housing & Residence life, that can be an RA, CA, RD, BST, or anyone that works in the office or Wilkerson Service Center.
February 8, 2025
RA interview process.
Candidates will be scheduled to attend a round of interviews on this date. Please watch your UND email for sign up information.
February 2025
Candidate offer letters.
Candidates will be notified by email as to whether or not they are being offered an RA position. Those offered an RA position or the opportunity to be in the alternate candidate pool will be provided further instructions as to the next steps to complete in regards to accepting or declining the RA position or the alternate pool status.
What is training like?
Our extensive training program will challenge you and teach you what you need to know to excel.
Required Training
Training is required for student staff, so you should plan accordingly as you consider applying. If you are not available for the fall training dates, please do not submit an application.
- RA Spring Training: January 9-10
- Fall Staff Training: August 2025, dates TBD
- Additional evening times will be scheduled throughout the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters
Training is provided in the areas of:
- Professionalism
- Communication
- Collaboration & Teamwork
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
- Intercultural Perspectives
Qualifications and Benefits
Minimum Qualifications and Eligibility Requirements
- In order to be eligible to apply for a Resident Assistant position, applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student at the University of North Dakota at the time of application and have at least one semester of on-campus living experience prior to the start of their employment.
- Available entire academic year.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher as of the end of Fall 2023 semester. A student staff member must maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative and 2.5 semester GPA during every semester of employment. GPAs will be checked again in May after the completion of the Spring 2024 semester.
- Students applying who have already earned a UND GPA but who do not meet the 2.5 GPA criteria when grade checks are done will automatically be removed from the process.
- All staff hired will have their grades checked prior to starting in the position and every subsequent semester they are employed.
- At the discretion of UND Housing, applicants must be in good standing with the University, the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and not be in violation of the Code of Student Life. An applicant can have no active or unresolved violations of the Code of Student Life or any incomplete judicial sanctions (ex. community service hours, alcohol or drug education courses to complete, restitution, etc.)
- Applicant must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check administered through the University.
- A strong commitment to helping other students in a residential setting including availability and approachability.
- Appreciation of and interest in different viewpoints, cultures and life styles.
- Personal attributes of maturity, honesty, self-reliance, motivation, initiative, openness, creativity and enthusiasm.
- RAs are not permitted to hold any employment outside the RA position during their employment. In addition, applicants are not able to hold an internship, be a CFI, attend a practicum, or student teach.
- Applicants must be in good financial standing with the University. All student staff members are expected to meet payment for tuition and fees.
- Please note that salary earned in this position may affect student financial aid.
Benefits
Residence Life Student Staff Member Compensation
- $650.00 monthly stipend, increases each additional year of service.*
- A single room for the duration of employment (valued at approx. $5,710+ per contract period), assuming that occupancy demands allow. Please be aware that UND Housing retains the rights to assign roommates to student staff members whenever necessary to accommodate the number of contracted students who require space on campus.
- Invaluable leadership and lifelong friendships
- Opportunities for advancement
- Personal development and transferable leadership skills for future work experience.
*If, for any reason, the student staff member leaves their position before the end of the agreement period, their stipend amount and room waiver will be prorated based on the final date of employment.
