RA Candidate FAQs
Get answers to all your questions about the RA selection process.
Becoming an RA gives you hands-on leadership experience and transferrable skills (public speaking, conflict management, etc.) that are applicable to many fields of study and career paths.
All communication regarding the RA selection process will be sent to your Fisher email. After submitting an RA application, please check your Fisher email frequently throughout the RA selection process.
The time commitment for the RA position will vary week-to-week depending on the time of year and the needs of the students in the building. RAs also have a weekly individual meeting with their supervisor and a building/area staff meeting on Tuesday nights. Additionally, RAs are required to be part of the duty rotation for their building/area throughout the course of the semester. The number of nights on duty will depend on the number of RAs on staff in the building/area. Duty schedules are typically determined prior to the start of the semester to allow for flexibility and to work around personal, athletic, and academic commitments.
In each building/area an RA is on duty every night during the semester. This guarantees that there is at least one RA in the building/area available to answer questions and assist residents. While on duty, RAs also "go on rounds" which helps to build community, ensure resident safety, ensure security of the building, and allows for facilities issues to be reported in a timely manner.
All employment outside of the RA position should be discussed and approved by the building supervisor in advance. RAs who are approved to work another job are limited to no more than 10 hours per week.
RA training occurs prior to the start of each semester. Dates of RA training are communicated in advance so that RAs can plan their breaks from school accordingly. The information provided at training will detail performance expectations as well as the nuts and bolts of each area of the position. Training is an ongoing process that continues throughout the semester in weekly individual meetings, staff meetings, and in-service training sessions.