Get Involved in Residence Life

The Residence Hall Association at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke is a student-run organization dedicated to enhancing the collegiate experience for all students living in on-campus housing. The RHA offers residential students opportunities for engagement and leadership development. Additionally, the RHA provides a platform for networking and advocacy while serving as a voice for students to the administration.

Back to Top

Living on campus is an exciting part of the college experience, and the Residence Hall and Association (RHA) is here to make it even better. RHA offers students living in on-campus housing the chance to:

• Attend national conferences (all expenses paid) to represent UNCP
  
• Help plan and host engaging programs for your residence hall or apartment community
  
• Manage a programming budget of up to $30,000
  
• Serve in leadership roles and build a campus-wide network
  
• Advocate directly to University Administration, including Housing & Residence Life and the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, through the Student Advisory Board
  
• Share your voice and shape the future of residential life at UNCP
  

Get involved, make an impact and help create a vibrant campus community!

Back to Top

For questions or to become involved with RHA, please contact uncprha@gmail.com. You may also contact a representative of your respective Hall Council.

Back to Top

Our Commitment

Housing and Residence Life is committed to recruiting and selecting a diverse and inclusive workforce.  We recognize that diversity expands far beyond race and ethnicity and It is our desire to hire staff members that represents many different cultures, backgrounds and differences and is reflective of the diversity of our student body and campus community.  We further believe that every person brings a unique perspective and experience that can be used to advance the mission of our department and university and support our students in a meaningful way.

Other Involvements and Commitments

The Resident Advisor position has a unique nature in that it requires  an authentic personal commitment to community development and student engagement as well as a firm understanding of the time commitments required to be effective in the position.  Resident Advisors are encouraged to be active members of their campus community; however, no commitment outside of academic pursuits should interfere with the responsibilities and duties of the Resident Advisor position.  When conflicts happen between RA responsibilities and non-academic work, the Resident Advisor position responsibilities should take priority. Applicants are encouraged to consider their current commitments related to academics, jobs and clubs and organizational involvement before applying for the position.   Additionally, RA's should communicate with their Community Directors before taking on any additional other responsibilities to ensure there is no conflict.  If conflicts arise between RA responsibilities and non-academic work, the Resident Advisor position responsibilities should take priority.

Important Note

Please be advised that Resident Advisors are not allowed to hold the following campus leadership positions due to the significant time requirement and the potential for overlapping schedules, these positions include but are not limited to:  Orientation Leaders, Peer Mentors, Residence Hall Association.

Back to Top

The Resident Advisor (RA) position is a live-in paraprofessional staff member for the Housing & Residence Life team. RAs focus on enhancing the quality of life within the residence halls, including fostering an effective living-learning community, providing academic support, and being attentive to the safety and security of students. The position requires flexibility, adaptability, enthusiasm, and commitment, which is dictated by the diverse, unique, and changing needs of our students. The RA is more than just a friendly presence; they are the crucial link in developing an inclusive environment, which is conducive to academic success and personal development.

Frequently, RAs are called upon to effectively respond to and manage a variety of crises and emergency situations. They are also relied upon to effectively implement department and university programs, initiatives, and values. RAs are university representatives and are expected to abide by HRL and university policies and state, federal, and local laws. Therefore, RAs are expected not to engage in activities on or off campus that jeopardize their credibility as staff members or activities that make the university legally vulnerable.

Back to Top

To be considered for the RA position and remain in good standing throughout employment, candidates must meet the following qualifications and responsibilities:

Eligibility Requirements

• Must meet all requirements for residing on campus and have lived in UNCP housing for at least one full semester (or two semesters at a similar or larger institution)
  
  
• Must be a current UNCP student in at least their second semester (second-semester freshman, sophomore, junior or senior)
  
  
• Must have a minimum 2.5 semester and cumulative GPA to apply
  
  
• Must be in good academic, conduct and social standing with the university
  
  
• Must apply via the UNCP student employment platform, Handshake
  
  
• Must attend a required RA Information Session following the application process
  
  
• Must shadow a current RA, preferably a returning RA (spring recruitment only)
  
  
• Must participate in RA Recruitment and Selection workshops: Candidate Workshop (fall) and RA Carousel (spring)
  
  

Ongoing Expectations

• Must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5; if GPA falls below 2.4, the RA will have one semester to improve it
  
  
• Must remain in good social standing; policy violations may result in termination
  
  
• RA responsibilities take priority over all extracurriculars except academics (classes and academic requirements)
  
  
• RAs cannot simultaneously serve as Orientation Leaders or Peer Mentors; those currently in those roles must resign before beginning the RA position
  
  
• Performance will be evaluated each semester by the Community Director
  
  
• Upon resignation or termination, the RA will be reassigned to another floor, suite or building

Back to Top

Housing & Residence Life provides Resident Advisors with the following compensation package: 

• A stipend payment of $8,000 per academic year that will be divided into 10 payments and paid out on the last business day of each month, except December
• A discounted rate on a single-occupied space, or a double-private, depending on the style of the building. 
• Professional Development opportunities, such as training and meetings, offer opportunities to grow and sharpen the soft skills needed in all career paths.
• Network with the Housing & Residence Life and other departments and campus partners.

Back to Top

Active Engagement with Students

• Promote and sustain organic leadership by maintaining positive peer-leader relationships and supporting the goals of your residents.
• Be committed to student success.
• Be available to and get to know your residents.
• Have conversations with the residents on your floor throughout the year, paying special attention to when they join the community.
• Develop opportunities for individuals to contribute to the floor community.
• Be accessible to residents at various times throughout the day, including most nights and some weekends.
• Assist students as they develop their interpersonal skills and individual responsibility.
• Encourage student participation in Hall/Community/College Council, university-sponsored programs, student organizations, and other activities.
• Work as a member of the staff team to support out-of-class learning opportunities.
• Be a role model by being exemplary in levels of maturity, judgment, conduct and scholarship. 

Conflict Resolution

• Help develop an atmosphere in which students have concern and respect for the rights of others.
• Empower and educate students to resolve and mediate low-level conflicts on their own.
• Mediate conflicts among residents as they arise.
• Notify the Community Director immediately of any conflict that may escalate

Policy Enforcement

• Understand and uphold all University and residence hall rules, regulations, and policies.
• Utilize a developmental, educational approach to address students about policies, as well as the impacts of their behavior.
• Address all policy violations immediately and consistently.
• Maintain consistency and fairness when dealing with all students in the building.
• Document student concerns and notify the Community Director in a timely fashion.
• Seek support and guidance from the Community Director during and after difficult situations.
• Follow up with residents after a confrontation. 

 

Crisis Response

• Understand and maintain familiarity with crisis protocols.
• Respond to crises as they occur on the floor and in the building.
• Complete the necessary paperwork involved in documenting the crisis.
• Escalate necessary situations to the appropriate supervisor(s) immediately.
• Follow up with residents regarding any crisis situations.

Duty

• Participate in duty rotation.
• Conduct building rounds to build relationships with students, confront policy infractions, and note facility concerns.
• Participate in Open Houses and provide tours to prospective students.
• If applicable, share in duty coverage for other buildings if short-staffed, over university break periods when applicable, or during emergency events.

Administration

• Execute administrative functions of the position so that colleagues and students can maximize their ability to benefit from the living-learning environment created. This includes completing all required paperwork in a timely and accurate manner, promptly posting signs and regularly changing bulletin boards, and identifying and reporting maintenance concerns in common areas.
• Encourage and role model interaction with Housekeeping and Maintenance staff.
• Assist in opening and closing residence halls at the beginning and end of each semester, as well as during vacation periods.
• Assume additional responsibilities as assigned by the Community Director and other HRL professionals.
• The student staff position is a live-in position, and as such, student staff are encouraged to sleep in their own room each night.

Personal & Professional Development

• Participate in staff selection and recruitment.
• Attend all training and leadership development opportunities.

 

Back to Top

*The 2025-2026 Application Has Closed*

To be considered for the Resident Advisor (RA) position for the 2025-2026 Academic Year, you must complete the following:

1. Submit complete application by 11:59 p.m. on February 16, 2025
2. Participate in Group Interviews on March 24, 2025
3. Participate in Individual Interviews March 27 & 28, 2025
4. Receive a Position and Placement offer by April 5, 2025

Back to Top