Resident Advisor Position Highlights
Resident Advisors (RAs) are full-time students who serve as leaders in the residential community on the Hawai`i Loa
campus. These student leaders have the most direct and constant contact with the residents of our six halls. RAs, under
the direction of the Residence Life Coordinator, fill the following major roles:
1. Community development facilitator
5. Committee advisor
2. HPU resource referral agent
6. Administrator
3. Event coordinator
7. Uphold university and department policies
4. University representative
8. Support department goals and projects
Key Responsibilities
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Develop and maintain open and positive communication with each resident by becoming acquainted with the
residents and their needs, being approachable and available (includes being on campus most evenings),
supporting and encouraging residents to enrich their experience though activities, community involvement, and
leadership opportunities.
Resident Advisors provide peer support and advising, coordinate and promote events, implement University and
department policies, and other departmental support and contribution as needed.
Serve as a leader by being involved in the HPU community, being an academic role model, displaying healthy
self-care habits, and by personally following the University policies.
Attend all RA training sessions prior to both the fall and spring semesters, attend regular monthly in-service
trainings, weekly staff meetings, and 1:1 meetings. Participate in a rotating duty schedule, sleep and live in the
assigned hall/room, promptly complete administrative duties.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum qualifications
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At least one full semester in university-sponsored housing
At least 2nd year class standing or graduate standing
Most recent completed semester GPA of 2.5
Cumulative GPA of 2.75
Must be a full-time student for both semesters of the 2014-2015 academic year taking the majority of classes on
HPU’s main campuses (12-15 credits for undergraduate, 9 for graduate students.) No additional enrollment or
internships in HPU academic programs or at other institutions is permitted without prior approval by the
Director of First-Year Experience.
Must be available during training periods (August 10 -24, 2014 and January 12-18, 2015) and for semester
move-in days, orientation and welcome week events.
May not hold additional employment outside of Residence Life without prior approval from the Director of FirstYear Experience.
Must in good standing with HPU’s Code of Student Conduct
Desired qualifications
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One full year in university-sponsored housing
3rd or 4th year class standing
Prior leadership experience
Cumulative GPA of 3.0
Please answer the following questions in sections I, II, and III on a separate word document, using double
spacing and narrow margins. You may use both sides of the paper if you desire.
Part l – Tell us about you
1. What are some of your interests? What is a topic you are passionate about?
2. Name an area of experience that you would like to grow in before you graduate from HPU and why.
3. What is the difference between being a leader and being an Advisor?
4. What makes you a positive role model for first year students?
5. Please describe what a culturally diverse community looks like at HPU.
6. List the leadership roles you have taken (committees, academic or social organizations, related
experiences, etc.) and your responsibilities in these roles. (Please include if the experience was at
Hawai`i Pacific University or elsewhere.)
7. How many semesters (including the current semester) have you lived in university housing? Was your
housing experience at HPU? Share your with experiencing on-campus housing.
Part ll – Plans for next year
1. Do you anticipate holding an internship/assistantship position or student teaching during Fall 2014Spring 2015? If so, how many hours a week/semester do you anticipate spending in the position?
2. List any extra-curricular activities in which you plan to participate in Fall 2014-Spring 2015, in addition
to being a Resident Advisor (clubs, theater, community service, etc.).
3. What type of classes do you plan on taking in Fall 2014-Spring 2015 academic
year? What will you academic load be like?
Part lll –Why do you want this position
Please answer each of the following questions in 200 words or less (per question).
1. How do you anticipate growing as a person and as a HPU community leader if you are selected as a
Resident Advisor?
2. What do you think the term “community” means? What are the components involved in building and
being a part of “community?” If hired as an RA, what three things would you do and/or plan to create
your described community?
3. Describe what you think an RA should teach their residents.
Part lV
Two personal recommendations are required. Please use the attached Resident Advisor Applicant
Recommendation Forms. The forms must be completed as follows:
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One either from a university faculty/staff member or a previous employer/volunteer coordinator and
One from a student leader (if you are a current HPU on-campus resident, this person MUST be your
assigned RA) or a fellow
The person writing the recommendation must submit the recommendation form directly to Katie Scott at
Residence Life by Monday, March 3, 2014 at 5:00pm. These forms can be submitted in person at Residence
Life on the Hawai`i Loa Campus, through email to Katie Scott, the Residence Life Coordinator, at
[email protected], or through fax at (808) 236-3539.
Note: Resident Advisors are selected to complete the entire academic year for Fall 2014-Spring 2015. As part of the
selection process, all applicants who anticipate receiving financial aid for Fall 2014-Spring 2015 are advised to meet with
a Financial Aid counselor to see if and how the RA benefits may affect your financial aid award. Such effects may change
your decision to apply for a Resident Advisor position.
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Resident Advisor!