Credit: Beth Rankin

After moving into the residence halls, incoming students may have an array of questions. The answers often come from a live-in Kent State encyclopedia: their Resident Assistant. Resident Director John Flavelle recently discussed the purpose of RAs:

Q: Why have RAs?

A: Resident Assistants focus on providing safety and security, building community within their hall and helping their assigned students.

Q: What do RAs do?

A: RAs provide safety and security by doing rounds through the halls. They make sure there are no unwanted guests and check their building for other problems. They help students by answering questions they have about the campus or leading them to the best person who can help them. They also create programs for residents to get to know each other and feel part of the hall.

Q: What rules do RAs have to follow?

A: They are held accountable for all the rules within the residence halls, just like the students. They also must maintain a 2.3 grade point average, as well as complete 15 office hours per week. Office hours are posted to let residents know when they are available.

Q: How does someone become an RA?

A: The person must be at least a sophomore with a 2.3 GPA. Then they go through an intense interview process. After the interview they must attend a one-credit leadership workshop, held in the spring, that lasts for six weeks.

Q: When do RAs work?

A: Resident Assistants are also required to do be on duty one night per week from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. RAs make rounds all night and may not leave their building. Also, RAs are required to put on four programs per semester, each averaging two hours. Most importantly, RAs are there to handle any unexpected situations.

Contact general assignment reporter Deanna Stevens at [email protected].