WELCOME

Community Assistant (CA)

The CA is a student who is is employed by the Department of Residence Life and Student Housing (RLSH) to live in the residential community and to work as part of a staff team in order to build a positive experience for residents.  The CA serves as the link between the residents of the community and the University.  The CA reports directly to the Residence Community Director (RCD).

The CA is expected to know the individual students in his or her community on a personal level, and to advise individuals and groups of students on academic and personal matters. Each CA is expected to create and encourage activities and programs that enhance community and meet residents' personal and academic needs.

The CA is trained on seven components that make up the student staff position.  The components are: Administrator, Team Member, Academic Partner, Community Builder, Advocate for Social Justice and Diversity, Peer Mentor and Campus Resource.  Each CA completes the Student Staff Leadership Institute during the interview process.

The CA serves as a role model for students in every aspect of University life and is expected to know the various campus services available to students. Each CA is expected to guide his or her residents in the development of community standards, as well as in upholding University policies and procedures.

Minimum QUALIFICATIONS

  • Sophomore academic standing
  • Maintain a 2.5 SMU cumulative GPA
  • Must be in good standing with the University (not on any academic disciplinary probation or suspension).  Please note that a significant conduct history may impact your candidacy
  • Current full-time enrollment at SMU and attendance at SMU for at least one semester prior to appointment

Priorities

The Community Assistant is expected to establish the following priorities for his/her time:

  • academic commitments
  • CA job responsibilities
  • extracurricular activities

RLSH believes CAs are first and foremost students.  However, a CA should be the caliber of student that can balance the position responsibilities and academic requirements. Student staff members should anticipate committing a minimum of ten (10) hours a week to their responsibilities as a CA.  Extracurricular activities and additional employment are not to conflict with the time needed to be available and accessible to the residents in the community.

Responsibilities

To Supervisor:

  • Throughout the year, notify supervisor of ongoing activities, situations occurring in the community, and resident concerns
  • Attend weekly staff meetings, on on one meetings, monthly Council meetings, and others as directed by supervisor
  • Check email and office mailbox as directed
  • Respond to communications, including but not limited to emails, texts, and phone messages, within 24 hours
  • Maintain professional behavior by fulfilling the expectations of supervisor and the department, including but not limited to: presenting yourself appropriately, keeping appointments, meeting deadlines, being on time
  • Maintain confidentiality with regard to resident and community issues

To the Residents:

  • Create a community that provides an environment that is conducive to academic, personal, and social growth
  • Promote a safe living environment through education, enforcement of policies, and role modeling of appropriate behavior
  • Be available to residents by interacting with them on a regular basis and assisting them in becoming active members of both the residential and SMU community
  • Be aware of resident needs and assist them in meeting those needs through peer counseling and referrals to appropriate personnel and services
  • Participate in evening and weekend "on-call" schedules including completing the on call log, providing lockout assistance, and performing other related duties
  • Act as the liaison between your residents, RLSH, and the University by delivering documents, posting notices, distributing information, and holding regular meetings
  • Encourage an atmosphere of respect for all individuals and their differences
  • Conduct community meetings as needed or when required by supervisor

To Other Staff:

  • Work as part of a staff team and actively support other staff members' efforts
  • Assume a fair share of group responsibilities
  • Cultivate an effective working relationship with all student staff members
  • Keep lines of communication open between staff members
  • Maintain a comfortable, safe and non-threatening atmosphere in which to work
  • Understand the role that CAs have as part or RLSH and establish effective working relationships with all Residence Life staff

For Administrative Tasks:

  • Represent and support RLSH in interactions with students, faculty, staff, parents and guests
  • Be fiscally responsible with hall programming funds and maintain a budget as directed by supervisor
  • Assist with and participate in research and assessment efforts conducted by RLSH
  • Participate in the selection of new professional and student staff by assisting with the interview process
  • Participate in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of Department goals, objectives, and initiatives
  • Utilize and maintain a student staff "playbook" which includes student contact information
  • Complete required reports for supervisor and department, including but not limited to, incident reports, semester head counts, occupancy reports, and an End of Year Report
  • Participate in the annual evaluation process including self evaluations and evaluation of supervisor

For Student Conduct and Community Standards:

  • Educate residents on their rights and responsibilities in accordance with University and departmental policies and procedures and encourage adherence to policies
  • Know and abide by all Department and University policies and procedures
  • Address policy violations and encourage responsibility for inappropriate behavior
  • Complete incident reports documenting violations of University policy and RLSH Community Standards and cooperate with other University personnel in holding students accountable for their actions
  • Advocate and encourage respect for underrepresented groups in the residential community
  • Meet with residents to resolve conflicts and positively influence students' behavior

For Peer Counseling:

  • Serve as an academic role model and guide residents in creating and maintaining an atmosphere conducive to study
  • Be a good listener including being non-judgmental and sensitive to residents when approached for assistance
  • Provide accurate information and referrals to students who need assistance
  • Aid residents in problem solving, especially regarding conflicts with roommates, suitemates or other residents in the community
  • Respect the confidential nature of the peer counseling role, while recognizing it may be necessary to share information with your supervisor or other university officials

For Programming:

  • Update bulletin boards and calendars on a monthly basis (as applicable in your community)
  • Create opportunities for resident interaction by planning and promoting community activities
  • Educate residents on RLSH's four cornerstones: Citizenship, Leadership, Learning and Community, through implementation of the Community Development Model
  • Discuss and evaluate programming and activities with supervisor through program proposals and evaluations

For Residence Hall Association (RHA)/Hall Council

  • Inform residents about Hall Council, RHA, and programs in communities and encourage them to participate
  • Attend Hall Council, RHA meetings and programs as directed

For Maintenance and Custodial:

  • Maintain the security and appropriate use of keys for the community
  • Process all check-in and check-out of residents
  • Accurately complete all paperwork and materials and obtain all necessary resident signatures
  • Inspect each room for needed repairs, conditions, and appropriate billings
  • Collect room keys at check-out and turn them into supervisor as directed
  • Work with the Facility Manager (FM) to communicate maintenance, repair, and improvement requests in both common areas and resident rooms
  • Educate residents on how to report maintenance and custodial concerns
  • Work with custodial staff to promote a clean and well-maintained environment
  • Assist in emergencies such as emergency evacuation drills, floods, power outages, or other crises; in case of crisis, all staff members are immediately "on call"
  • Monitor community spaces for trash to help keep public areas and hallways clean
  • Report damage or theft of residences hall property to supervisor
  • Provide education to residents on fire safety policies and procedures

For Professional Development:

  • Return to campus early to attend and participate in mandatory fall and spring training. Do not make any commitments to other employment or other activities during these times
  • Attend any ongoing training sessions as directed
  • Represent RLSH and University by serving on committees as requested

For Professionalism:

  • Convey a positive attitude towards the CA position and its duties; and support departmental and University decisions and policies
  • Act as a positive role model for both fellow staff members and residents by not participating in questionable or unethical behavior
  • Refrain from gossiping, complaining and negative comments about residents, the CA position, RLSH and other staff members while in public venues
  • Appropriately discuss issues and voice concerns or suggestions regarding RLSH policies and procedures with your supervisor
  • Take pride in your work, as it is not only a reflection of you, but also your staff, the department and the the University

Conditions of employment

  • The CA position is a "nine-month" position.  CAs are required to stay after communities close and to return before residents.  The period of employment is tentatively scheduled from August through May.
  • CAs are expected to work through the various University vacations including: Thanksgiving Holiday, Spring Break, and/or Easter. This will be negotiated in advance with the staff and approved by the supervisor
  • The supervisor must approve all weekends off in advance
  • For any additional outside employment, a request must be submitted to the supervisor for approval. A CA may not work more than 10 hours a week for any approved outside employment
  • CAs are strongly encouraged to limit their academic credit load to no more than 16 hours, especially for the first semester of employment.  Any CA enrolling in more than 16 hours must first consult with the CHD and Assistant Director for Residential Life.  Any CA who must drop below full time status must first consult their respective supervisor
  • CAs are expected to maintain a 2.5 SMU cumulative GPA during period of employment.  Grades will be routinely checked by RLSH
  • Re-hiring for subsequent academic years is contingent upon satisfactory performance and a formal re-appointment process

COMPENSATION

  • Room
  • Pony money in the amount of $500 per semester