Hiring for the 2024-2025 Academic Year is complete for the following positions:
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Hall Directors
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Resident Advisers
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Program Advisers
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Summer 2024 Hall Staff
Early Action Timeline
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Thursday, October 26, 2023: RA Recruitment Fair:
Make the Choice to become an RA in the Festival Ballroom at 7:00 p.m.
Early RA Application opens during this event -
Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.: Early RA Application closes
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Friday, November 3, 2023: Early RA interview notification
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Monday, November 6 – Friday, November 17, 2023: Early RA interviews (1 per candidate)
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Saturday, November 18 – Sunday, November 26, 2023: Thanksgiving Break
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Sunday, November 26, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.: Early RA references due
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Friday, December 8, 2023: Early RA notification for 2024-25 Returning RAs, Upperclass New RAs, and Upperclass January Hires
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Tuesday, December 19, 2023: Early RA notification – for 2024-25 First-Year New RAs
After GPA check -
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 – Tuesday, January 2, 2024: JMU Closed for Winter Break
Whether you accept or decline your position offer, you must inform the Office of Residence Life no later than Tuesday, January 16, 2024.
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Sunday, March 3, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Community 101 Sessions
- 7:00 p.m.: Returning RAs
- 8:00 p.m.: New RAs
- Notification of RA Community Sign-Up details
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Wednesday, March 6, and Thursday, March 7, 2024: RA community sign-up process
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Monday, March 11 – Friday, March 15, 2024: JMU Spring Break
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Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.: Staff Kick Off! in Festival
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Tuesday, August 6, 2024: Tentative RA Move In
Regular Decision RA Timeline
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Thursday, October 26, 2023: RA Recruitment Fair
Make the Choice to become an RA in the Festival Ballroom at 7:00 p.m.; Early RA Application opens during this event -
Saturday, November 18 – Sunday, November 26, 2023: Thanksgiving Break
- Thursday, November 30, 2023, at 8:00 a.m.: RA Application available
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Wednesday, December 20, 2023 – Tuesday, January 2, 2024: JMU Closed for Winter Break
- Sunday, January 28, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.: RA Application Closes
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Thursday, February 1, 2024: Interview Notifications sent
- Friday, February 2 – Monday, February 19, 2024: RA Interviews
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Monday, February 19, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.: RA references due
- Friday, March 1, 2024: Notification of RA Selection Decisions
- Sunday, March 3, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Community 101 Sessions
- 7:00 p.m.: Returning RAs
- 8:00 p.m.: New RAs
- Notification of RA Community Sign-Up details
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Wednesday, March 6, and Thursday, March 7, 2024: RA community sign-up process
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Monday, March 11 – Friday, March 15, 2024: JMU Spring Break
- Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.: Staff Kick Off! in Festival
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Tuesday, August 6, 2024: Tentative RA Move In
RA Frequently Asked Questions
Application/Selection Process
Early Action Process:
Available October 26, 2023 – November 1, 2023
Regular RA Process:
Available November 30, 2023 – January 28, 2024
Returning RAs are rehired IF they:
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Complete an application
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Provide a positive reference from their current supervisor/Hall Director
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Maintain positive performance evaluations throughout the year
Preferred GPA: 2.3
Required GPA: 2.0
Starting in the 2024 hiring process for 2025-26 RA's the GPA requirement will be 2.3
Yes. On the application, list your two references (name, email, phone number)
If you live on campus, one reference MUST be an RA. When you submit the application, your references will receive an automatic message from eRezLife with a unique link to their reference form. Your reference will answer brief questions and upload a letter at that link.
If you live on campus, your first reference MUST be an RA, usually your own current RA.
Other references can be anyone who will be able to provide information regarding your work ethic, personal character, and level of potential success as an RA.
Suggestions for references are current or former employers/supervisors, professors, advisors, coaches, high school teachers, and another RA.
Advice: Always check with individuals BEFORE listing them as a reference. Explain that you are applying for an RA position for next year, and ask if they are comfortable providing a positive reference for you. Provide them with the deadline for the reference as well. (Early application references are due November 27, 2022.)
First-year students can apply to be an RA in their second year.
It is important to take time in your first year to become acclimated to campus and your academics prior to taking on the responsibility of being an RA.
In order to access the application and apply, you must be an enrolled JMU student. If you have been accepted to JMU and have officially committed to attend, you will be able to access the application.
Start by talking with current RAs about their experience in the job. Find out what it looks like on a “normal” day or week. Read through the position description available on eRezLife or from an RA. Think about the different responsibilities and tasks and imagine yourself in the RA role…what will that look like, how will YOU do the job?
Early Action:
November 3, 2023 (interviews can occur November 6–17)
Regular process:
February 1, 2024 (interviews can occur February 2–14)
Early Action:
Friday, December 8, 2023: Returning RAs, Upper-class New RAs and Upper-class January Hires
Tuesday, December 19, 2023: New RAs after GPA check
Regular process:
Friday, March 1, 2024
All disciplinary records will be reviewed as part of the selection process. It is still possible to be an RA with a strike.
The most important thing is to be upfront with Alexis Plater and/or your interviewer. Think about your specific situation and how it may positively or negatively impact your ability to be an effective RA.
While work experience is important, it is specific skills and attitudes we are looking for…these may have been gained through volunteer activities, clubs, executive positions, etc.
Compensation
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Salary:
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$4,477 for the full year, spread over 19 paychecks
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Returning RAs have a higher salary:
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2nd year: $4,790
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3rd year: $5,125
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Room rent reduction: $2,000 per semester ($4,000 for the academic year)
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Laundry stipend: $100 per semester ($200 total for the academic year)
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Single room on campus
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A/C in all RA rooms
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Limited RA parking availability
RA Community Sign Up/Housing
If you intend to live on campus for 2024-2025, that contract process will open on October 1, 2023. RAs must complete a Live on Again contract for 2024-25.
If you intend to live on campus only if you become an RA, you should wait until selection decisions are finalized.
RAs will participate in RA Community Sign-Up in early March.
Based on lottery numbers, RAs can choose from any available community.
Medical information should be on file with the university as soon as possible in order to prevent complications with community sign-up later.
You and your physician will need to complete this form. A campus committee will determine the required accommodations.
Yes! All RA rooms have a/c regardless of the rest of the building's status.
RA rooms are designated to be spread throughout the building, so two RAs would not be assigned in one suite. It is possible to be on the same floor in some buildings or simply in the same building/area with your friends. Often it is best to sign up separately from your best friends. That allows you to have another place to go when you need time away.
Yes, Apartments on Grace is an on-campus residence hall that would still require signing a housing contract. Apartments on Grace RAs must agree to be charged an additional $500 per semester to live in the apartments. Apartments on Grace RAs must still have a meal plan, but have the option of a 50-block plan.
Apartments on Grace RAs have an apartment mate. They can choose that person by May 1st or Housing will assign someone to that space for them.
Training
RAs begin training on August 6, 2024, and train daily until students move in.
Training covers a variety of topics such as team building inclusive community development, programming, confrontation/behavior management, crisis management, and many others.
RA training provides a multitude of opportunities to practice skills learned throughout the week. Ideally, you will learn and practice skills that can be applied in nearly any situation.
Yes! PSYC 100 (Interpersonal Skills for Resident Advisers) is a one-credit academic course that all new RAs take in the first 7 weeks of the fall semester.
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Residence Life will register all new RAs for PSYC 100
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There is not a different PSYC class to substitute for PSYC 100 – This course is ONLY for RAs.
RA Duty
Duty will depend on the number of RAs in your rotation and how many RAs sit duty each night.
Yes, duty night exchanges are worked out with the approval of your Hall Director.
RAs do not have office hours or specific times to be available, but it is recommended that RAs spend as much evening and weekend time in the hall as possible in order to interact with residents during the times they are more likely to be in the residence hall.
