Community | Pepperdine University

The Resident Advisor role is a 9 ½ month, twenty-hour a week position beginning in August and ending in May.  The RA should reference the calendar (at the end of the leadership agreement) for specific dates.

Award

Malibu Resident Advisors receive a B meal plan each semester as well as a scholarship equal to the cost of their housing for both semesters.

Eligibility

Eligibility to continue in the position of RA is based on, but not limited to, the requirements listed below. An Exemption Request Form must be submitted, within a reasonable amount of time, in the event of a change in eligibility status.

• To ensure availability, the RA may not hold the following positions:
  • SLA
  • SGA E-board or class president
  • PAC
  • President, recruitment chair, or new member educator of any club/organization
  • Inter Club Council Executive Board
  • Campus Recreation Student Manager
  • Campus Recreation Event Coordinator
  • PVC: Volunteer Program Coordinator
  • PVC: Special Events Coordinator
  • PVC: Student Coordinator
  • Jumpstart: Corps Member
  • Jumpstart: Team Leader
  • Career Center Intern
  • Admissions Intern
  • Graphic: Editor-in-Chief
  • Graphic: Page Editor
  • Graphic: Photo Editor
  • Yearbook Editor
  • Intercultural Affairs Intern
  • Orientation Leader or Head Orientation Leader
  • Member of an NCAA athletic team without prior approval from HRL
  • Full time student teaching assignment
  • An off-campus job or internship requiring more than 10 hours a week

• RAs are expected to confer with a RD regarding the following leadership responsibilities they wish to accept with HRL priorto accepting a position. Before an RA applies for a position, an exemption request will need to be submitted for committee review and approval (Committee may be comprised of the following persons: HRL staff, current RA/SLAs, Seaver faculty, and other Student Affairs staff). Examples of these types of responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Role in an on-campus play/musical
  • Student-led Ministries Coordinator
  • SGA elected position
  • Project Serve Site Leader
  • Dance in Flight
  • TV 6 Producer or Director
  • Student Teaching
  • Campus Ministry Intern
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and status as a full-time student throughout the duration of the leadership experience.
• RAs must live in the room designated by HRL as most advantageous to the duties of the role.
• RAs are not eligible to continue in the role if placed on any type of disciplinary or academic probation.
• If removed from the role, RAs will need to vacate their housing assignment; their roommates may need to relocate as well.

General Duties

As leaders and representatives of HRL, RAs are expected to consistently support the community standards and ideals of Pepperdine University, evidenced through the following:

• Work in conjunction with your co-RA and SLA to foster a hall environment that encourages the formation of relationships between residents and provide spiritual programming in your residence area.
• Be mindful of the position of leadership held among peers. The RA should consider his or her impact on the moral and spiritual development of other students by evidencing good character and professional integrity; attending class and Convocation/Chapel regularly; and upholding all community standards.
• Adhere to regulations regarding the safety of the community, including fire codes, safety regulations and the terms of the Master Key Agreement (signed when issued a master key).
• Inform residents of the community standards, procedures, services and events of HRL and other university offices.
• Maintain order, enforce regulations, and document all irregularities and/or violations of community standards observed in the residential community. Communicate any concerns immediately to your Resident Director via an information and/or incident report.
• Maintain a strict code of confidentiality regarding all information observed or obtained within the parameters of the role.
• Provide support and counsel for students as needed, referring students to proper resources.
• Report and verify illness; direct emergency cases to the proper resource 24-hours per day.
• Be aware of and report non-resident guests within the residential community, communicate appropriate registration procedures, or initiate dialogue to determine purpose for visit.
• Be available to participate as a member of the Residential Emergency Response Team (RERT) in the event of a natural disaster or campus wide emergency. Students will need approval from Resident Director to leave campus in emergency situations.
• Verify and report occupancy data throughout each semester.
• Report maintenance and cleanliness concerns. In addition, Tower and Apartment RAs must report problems with the vacuum. Instruct residents in the use of the Maintenance Hotline and website. Provide information to residents regarding work orders and progress of work.
• Respond in a timely manner to requests made by all professional staff members of HRL.
• Submit a Time Off Notification form to the supervisor at least one week in advance to be out of the living area overnight. (This does not apply Thanksgiving, Winter or Spring breaks). The RA is responsible for coordinating coverage of the living area. RAs schedule two days off each week and are responsible for coordinating coverage with their co-worker.
• Support activities and programs promoted by HRL and other departments within Student Affairs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specific Responsibilities

Daily Responsibilities

• Report daily to HRL.
• Check your assigned HRL mailbox located in the HRL Office.
• Check your.name@pepperdine.edu email account daily and respond accordingly.
• Report information regarding any significant changes or events pertaining to the previous 24-hours.
• Submit documentation pertaining to the previous 24-hours.
• Ensure coverage of the living area. Coverage begins at 11:00 PM, seven days per week.
• Fulfill on-duty coverage responsibilities as described below. RAs are responsible to be on duty five days a week. RAs will be on a rotation schedule with members of their staff group.
  • Spend a minimum of three hours each day being available in the living area falling between 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Being available is defined as being present in the living area pursuing specific responsibilities such as distributing information, planning programs, participating in co-RA and SLA meetings, filling out paperwork and/or being in your room or apartment with the door open.
  • At 11:00 PM, the person on-duty will walk through the entire living area (each suite in the halls, each floor in the towers and apartments), to demonstrate availability, respond to resident concerns and needs, identify any facility issues, and interact with residents. The RA on duty will remain in the hall and be available to students until 7 am the following morning.
• Communicate pertinent information to residents throughout the living area (via newsletters or walkthroughs).
• Inspect for cleanliness and maintenance needs within the living area.
• Be available to residents according to hours posted weekly on your front door.

Weekly Responsibilities

• Attend small group staff meetings with your RD for training, instruction, team building, and spiritual renewal. These two-hour meetings are held during a time that best fits the schedules of you and your small group.
• Submit all assigned paperwork on time.
• Coordinate and attend a meeting with co-RA and SLA to discuss issues regarding the living area.

Biweekly Responsibilities

• Meet with your RD for an individual one-on-one.
• Schedule and perform an indoor facility check where each room or apartment is checked for cleanliness, safety, maintenance needs, and adherence to community standards and an outdoor facility check where the building is inspected for safety, maintenance, and cleaning needs. Report any concerns to your RD. Both RAs must always complete the biweekly facility check together.

Monthly Responsibilities

• Distribute a newsletter informing residents of upcoming events and procedures (minimum requirement is monthly).
• Attend one Leadership Training sessions per month held on Wednesday mornings at 8:00 a.m.

Semester Responsibilities

• Plan and execute with co-RA(s) at least five programs a semester for your living area based on the HRL programming model.  Programs should be appropriate to the developmental needs of the residents in your living area.
• Attend all training periods in their entirety.
• Attend HRL retreats as scheduled.
• Be responsible for the distribution, accuracy, verification and collection of check-in/out forms, occupancy maps, and room keys and all other designated check-in/out materials.
• Facilitate all Community Living Orientation meetings (CLOMs). Each living area is required to have CLOMs at the beginning and the end of each semester.
• Conduct the Basic Human Respect (BHR) program to residents at the beginning of each semester (all suites/tower room pairs/apartments during the Fall; all suites/tower room pairs/apartments with new residents during the Spring). Facilitate additional BHR meetings throughout the duration of the year as necessary (whenever a resident or your RD requests one).
• Participate in HRL's commitment to service learning and educational programs in the community by planning events accordingly.
• Participate in the interviewing of applicants during the spring semester for future staff positions.
• RAs must be available for each check-in and check-out period.

Release for Leadership Responsibilities

Housing and Residence Life holds a strong commitment to walk alongside our student staff as they grow and develop. Living out the highest standards of Christian character and integrity is challenging. We recognize that nobody does it perfectly. However, student leaders are not eligible to enter or continue in the program under the following circumstances:

• Failure to maintain eligibility requirements listed above
• Placement on any type of disciplinary or academic probation
• Decisions which irreparably impact the legitimacy and integrity of the student leadership position
• A pattern of irresponsibility related to the expectations outlined above that does not improve with assistance from HRL staff.