Who are the resident assistants? What do they do?
A resident assistant (RA) is an undergraduate student residing within the residence halls under the direct supervision of a professional live-in staff member (Coordinator/Assistant Coordinator). RAs are responsible for maintaining the safety and security of students living in the residence halls as well as working with professional staff to create healthy living-learning environments that promote student growth and development.
The main functions of RAs are to serve as community builders, academic and personal resource providers, conflict mediators, and policy enforcers. In addition to serving as a resource provider for all residents, RAs also assist first-year students with their adjustment to Penn State Altoona. RAs serve as role models and leaders for the entire residential community and have a great influence on the social and academic development of their residents. They are usually the first contact for residents and act as a liaison between residents and professional staff.
One RA per residence hall is on duty each night from 8:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. when residence halls are occupied. During this time, RAs periodically walk throughout the residence halls to support residents with personal and academic concerns, address maintenance problems or policy violations, and monitor the safety and security of each building. If residents need assistance, they should contact the RA on duty, whose name and number are posted in each residence hall lobby, as well as outside each RA’s door.