2017-2018 RA Handbook

RA Handbook

2017-2018

TSTC 2017-2018 RA HANDBOOK

Table of Contents

CAMPUS LIVING 1
Campus Living Mission Statement ………………………………………. 1
Values Statement ……………………….….....………………….…………… 1
Resident Assistant Qualifications .………………………….…………… 2
Additional Requirements ………………........................……………. 2
Resident Assistant Job Description ………………………..…………… 2
RA Evaluation, Discipline, Termination …………………..…………… 4
RA Evaluation ……………………………………………………….……………. 5
Meetings ……………………………………………………………….…………… 5
Communication ……………………………………………………..…………… 6
Dissemination of Information ……………………………….…………… 6
Counseling ……………………………………………………………..………….. 6
Character Counts …………………………………………………..………….. 7
Confrontation …………………………………………………………………….. 7
Conflict Resolution ……………………………………………………………… 8
Working with Groups ……………………………………………..………….. 10
Time Management ……………………………………………………………… 11

COMMUNITY BUILDING & PROGRAMMING 12
Community Building ……….....………………………………..……………. 13
Getting Started ……………….…….…………………………………………… 14
Additional Information About Establishing Community ….… 17
Before the Residents Arrive ……………….………………………………. 18

COMMUNITY STANDARDS OF CONDUCT 20
Entering A Resident’s Room .………..………………………………….… 20
Making Contact With Residents Involved In An Incident ……… 20
Recommendations For Enforcing College Policy ….…………….. 21
Documenting A Resident ….……………………………………………….. 22
General Reporting Guidelines ….………………………………………… 23

EMERGENCY CONTACTS 24

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES 25
Medical Emergencies ..…………..…………………………………......….. 25
Suicide Attempts …………………………………………………………….….. 25
Fire/Fire Alarm/Fire Drill ………..……………………………………….….. 25
Lavaca Hall Alarm Procedure ……….…………………………………….. 26
Red River Apartments Alarm Procedure …….………………………. 27
Tornado Alerts ………………….……………………………………………….. 27

TSTC RA Handbook

Campus Living

Campus Living
Mission Statement
Campus Living desires to foster a living and learning environment where students can
develop qualities of self-discipline and responsibility and enlarge educational experiences
through new ideas and cultural diversity.
We want to serve our residents with excellence. We strive to provide a safe place for them to
live, to be courteous at all times, and efficient in conducting business.
Values Statement
In Campus Living, we value:
Community - Fostering a group of individuals living and learning together who challenge,
support, and respect one another.
Collaboration - Building mutually beneficial relationships within the college and community
to maximize the use of resources in the best interest of the students’ development.
Innovation - Initiating progressive improvements in services and programs to further our
impact on the residential experience.
Education - Encouraging the active pursuit of academic, personal, and professional
development.
Awareness - Appreciating and celebrating both similarities and differences in groups and
individuals including independence, accountability, individuality, and diversity.
Leadership - Promoting opportunities to develop individuals through teamwork in an
atmosphere of service.

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Resident Assistant Qualifications

A Resident Assistant must be highly committed and whole-heartedly involved in Campus
Living and its programs. Resident Assistant applicants should have some experience in a
higher education living environment and at least one semester in TSTC’s single student
residential facilities. TSTC seeks applicants who are mature and trustworthy with
demonstrated academic achievement. Mature judgment in dealing with individual problems
that occur in the campus housing as well as sensitivity to the residents’ growth and
developmental needs are essential personal traits sought in an applicant.

Additional Requirements

Be enrolled as a full time student (9 hours).
Have a 2.5 or higher cumulative grade point average (GPA).
Be in good disciplinary standing.
Live in a TSTC housing unit as assigned.
Have the ability to communicate effectively.
Have the ability to work evenings and weekends as assigned.

Resident Assistant Job Description

General Description
The Resident Assistant (RA) is a student who is employed by Campus Living to serve as a live-
in member of the housing staff. The RA works with the Coordinator in establishing a positive
living environment for the resident students. The RA’s immediate supervisor is the Campus
Living Coordinator.

The RA is primarily involved in creating a community environment. In order to accomplish
this, the RA is expected to play a variety of constantly changing roles. The RA must be flexible
and creative in meeting residents’ needs by serving as a counselor, advisor, activity
programmer, educator and friend. This position requires a serious time commitment and
willingness to be available and accessible to other students

Responsibilities
The Resident Assistant is responsible to the Coordinator and is expected to fulfill duties as
assigned. The Coordinator oversees Lavaca Hall and Red River Apartments and directs the
team of RAs.

Following are specific responsibilities an RA assumes while working within Campus Living.
1. Providing Student Assistance: RA’s are expected to know all of the residents in their
area of responsibility, to be aware of student needs and problems and to be available
to provide assistance. The RA should serve as a role model to residents through his
or her actions and maturity both on and off campus. Also, the RA should be familiar

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with area and campus resources designated to assist students and be able to make
necessary referrals.
2. Creating a Community Environment: The RA is instrumental in promoting a positive
environment that provides their residents with opportunities to acquire the most
from residence life, their academics and their personal development. The ideal
housing environment cannot be dictated by anyone, but must be brought about
through the mutual cooperation of residents. The RA should provide optimal study
conditions, information on housing policies, and should encourage students to
respect the rights and property of other students.
3. Encouraging Student Responsibility: The RA encourages student involvement in
developing and enforcing rules and regulations, as printed in the Student Handbook.
The RA will respond in a positive and helpful manner when confronted with behaviors
or infractions that disrupt the environment. RA’s need to know and understand the
reasons behind TSTC regulations and stand ready to report infractions according to
current policies. The RA will also make referrals to the Campus Police, Coordinator,
Dean of Students, or Director regarding any individual or incident which needs
prompt attention.
4. Completing Administrative Tasks: The RA is required to keep the Coordinator
informed of any significant incidents or events and to assist in certain administrative
details. These include:

• Participating in required staff meetings.
• Participating in staff development/orientation trainings.
• Reporting necessary repairs.
• Following up on emergency/crisis situations.
• Knowing proper emergency procedures for resident safety.
5. Report violations of rules and regulations: RA’s are to report violations of rules and
regulations to the Coordinator, or Director in his/her absence and Campus Police
when necessary. The RA must be attentive to the personal safety of all residents. This
would include any situation which may jeopardize the safety of the residents or which
threatens the security of personal or school property, including the auxiliary housing
contract.

Office Hours
Each RA is required to work in the Campus Living office five (5) scheduled hours per week to
assist with student/family inquiries and record keeping.

On-Duty
RAs will be on duty one night per week Monday-Thursday and rotating weekends. Typically,
each RA only be on-duty one weekend per month. RAs will also be responsible for
performing rounds during the nights they are on duty. Times for these rounds are
10:00 p.m. and Midnight - Sunday through Thursday; 11:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. - Friday and
Saturday. These rounds are to be performed to prevent potential problems and to insure the
safety and security of the residence facilities during the night hours.

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Safety Inspections
RAs will always conduct bi-weekly health and safety inspections. These inspections are to
insure safety equipment is functional and residents are following campus policies especially
as they pertain to maintaining a healthy living area.
Schedules will be prepared for the entire semester. Any unique scheduling problems for the
semester should be directed to the Coordinator or in his/her absence, the Director. Any
schedule changes must be approved by the Coordinator.

An RA is expected to be of assistance at any time there is a disturbance or when another
RA needs assistance.

Salary
RAs are not billed for the room they occupy during their service as a RA. In addition, RAs are
provided a $560 stipend, paid out in two payments of $280 per semester. Please note that
taxes are taken out for stipends and RAs acquire State time for their service.

RA Evaluation, Discipline, Termination

Performance Appraisals
Resident Assistants are appointed for the period for one semester and report directly to the
Campus Living Coordinator. The Coordinator will evaluate them during the fall, spring, and
summer semesters. Retention and re-appointment are based upon the RA’s contribution to
the goals of Campus Living and performance in all aspects of the Resident Assistant position.

Disciplinary Action/Termination Procedures
Step 1 – Verbal Warning
This step may include a note to the RA’s performance/employee file for minor performance
issues and infractions.
Step 2 – Formal Counseling
When serious performance issues occur or uncorrected repetitive matters continue, the
Campus Living Coordinator will meet with the RA to discuss the problem. If necessary, a
behavioral contract will be signed by the RA to signify his/her agreement to correct and
improve his/her job performance.
Step 3 – Probation or Termination
The RA will be reevaluated at the conclusion of the semester during which he/she entered
into the behavioral contract. At this point, one of the following actions could be taken by the
Campus Living Coordinator:

 If the RA has corrected the significant issue which led to the behavioral contract, yet
showed no improvement in overall job performance, he/she will be on job probation
for the remainder of the semester. The RA placed on job probation and the Campus
Living Coordinator will meet on a scheduled basis to determine if the RA is to continue
in his/her position.

 If the RA has not corrected the significant issue which led to the behavioral contract,
he/she will be terminated as an RA.

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Step 4 – Immediate Termination
The following criteria outline conditions which, if committed by a Resident Assistant, are
considered serious enough to warrant disciplinary action or termination from the RA position.

 Behavior resulting in a felony conviction.
 Behavior resulting in a misdemeanor conviction that casts reasonable doubt on the

likelihood of satisfactory job performance.
 Violation of Campus Living and/or TSTC policies and regulations.
 Illegal possession or use of drugs.
 Acts of negligence or incompetence that cast reasonable doubt on the likelihood of

job performance.
 Misuse of official keys.
 Failure to show progress in meeting expectations as outlined in writing by the Campus

Living Coordinator.
 Refusal to comply with reasonable, legitimate and specific direction from the Campus

Living Coordinator with regard to responsibilities expressed or implied in the job
description.
 Behavior that can be reasonably considered to be seriously damaging to the ability of
TSTC to meet its contractual responsibilities.
Note: A Resident Assistant is expected to exercise good judgment. For example, alcohol use is
not permitted in the residence halls. Furthermore, at no time is a staff member to abuse
alcohol or be impaired to perform their job responsibilities even if the alcohol use occurred
off campus and/or if the staff member is of legal age to consume alcoholic beverages. It is to
the discretion of the Campus Living Coordinator to decide if an RA has not used good
judgment or has severely failed the mission and goals of Campus Living on an incident-by-
incident basis. A single incident may be grounds for immediate dismissal.

RA Evaluation

Each RA will receive an evaluation of his/her performance at the end of each semester. The
purpose of an evaluation is to provide you with feedback about how you are performing in
your position and where you can improve. The evaluation is a perfect time to set
performance goals for your success as an RA.

Meetings

The following meetings help maintain strong communication among RAs and keep everyone
updated about upcoming events.

Staff Meeting
As scheduled by the Campus Living Coordinator, all staff meets to discuss hall concerns and
upcoming events. These meetings may also include staff development activities. Attendance
is mandatory. RAs must request permission in advance if they wish to miss a staff meeting.

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One-on-One Meeting
Every RA will be required to meet with the Campus Living Coordinator once a month in a one-
on-one setting. These meetings will be used to discuss in-depth issues regarding the RA’s
residence hall and job performance.

Communication

As an RA, it is important that you are in constant communication with the Campus Living
Staff, your fellow RAs, and your residents. There are several means by which you can
maintain this contact.

E-Mail
This is an excellent way to maintain communication between everyone within Campus Living.
RAs and the Campus Living Coordinator regularly communicate via e-mail. Make sure you
know your TSTC email address and check it several times each day. It is also important to set
up an e-mail distribution list for your residents. This is a great way to get information to your
residents.

Phone Calls & Text Messages
Please keep your phone with you at all times. Check you messages at least once a day.

Dissemination of Information

Part of being a good RA is keeping your residents informed. Be sure to hang up signs,
personally talk to your residents, and send voicemails with all the information about
upcoming meetings and events.

Counseling

Very often you will be approached by, or recognize, a resident having concerns or troubles
with college, or college life. You should always be ready and open to these situations, as they
are often the most fulfilling time you can have as an RA. There is great reward in actually
helping someone else through a troubled time because of your own personal experiences.

Some tips on Counseling:

 Listen Carefully. Give undivided attention to what the person is saying.
 Be Patient. It is important not to rush someone into telling you his or her problems.

Also, don’t rush into taking action. Take the time to understand if this person is just
venting or looking for action.
 Ask yourself, “Do I understand what he or she is trying to say?”
 Summarize frequently to assure understanding, keep on track, and check up on what
is being told.

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 Encourage the person to think of different ways of handling the problem. He or she
has the problem, has thought about it in greater detail than the counselor, and may
have arrived at a solution. They may only be seeking confirmation of that solution.

 Avoid giving advice. The objective of counseling is to lead the individual to his or her
own solution.

Character Counts

Campus Living has adopted a system of values. This system, “The Six Pillars of Character,”
was developed by the Josephson Institute of Ethics. These six principles (Trustworthiness,
Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship) make up the core values of
character.

 Trustworthiness – Honesty, Integrity, Reliability, and Loyalty
 Respect – Civility, Courtesy, Decency, Autonomy, and Tolerance
 Responsibility – Accountability, Pursuit of Excellence, and Self-Restraint
 Fairness – Impartiality and Equality
 Caring – Kindness, Compassion, Forgiving, Help those in need
 Citizenship – Cooperation, Respect authority, Be a good neighbor

Confrontation

Resident confrontations are one of the most difficult parts of the RA job. A good part of your
training will deal with confronting residents, but here are some things to remember:

 Eye contact – Look at the person to whom you direct your comments.
 Body posture – Make sure you are active, erect, and relaxed.
 Distance – Remain neither too far nor too close.
 Facial expressions – Your face should reflect the point you are trying to make.
 Voice – Pay attention to tone, inflection, and volume.
 Fluency – Be fluent; try not to stammer or pause too long.
 Timing – Act as soon as you can.
 Listening – Active listening is essential for mutual satisfaction.
 Content – Be honest, courteous, and genuinely convey your own feelings and

opinions.

Here is a Basic Primer for Situations Involving Confrontation:
The most common “Residence Hall Procedure” that RAs engage in is confronting policy
violations. It is not fun, but it can be done smoothly. Obviously, different violations call for
different approaches, but, before looking at specific situations, take a look at a basic primer
on confronting situations.

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1. Try to have another RA present—you don’t want to be caught alone with four
belligerent drunks.

2. Always knock before entering a room. If no one answers and you know they are there,
call out “I’m an RA and I’m keying in” before entering the room.

3. As soon as you have engaged the offending residents, identify yourself (“My name is
______ and I’m an RA in Lavaca or Red River”). Nothing is worse than trying to quell a
policy violation and having residents say “who the $#&@ are you? You’re not a
%$&*ing RA!”

4. Be assertive, not aggressive. Remain businesslike, confident, and cool. Do not shout,
do not call names, and do not become emotional.

5. Explain that the residents have violated a policy (tell them which one) and it is your
job to document it. Remain official. Reinforce that it is the policy violation that is
causing the documentation, not any personal feelings toward the resident(s). Remind
them that the policies are there to support a quiet, pleasant living environment for
everyone, and violating them violates the quality of that living environment.

6. Get the IDs of all present for your Resident Contact Report and Incident Report. Make
sure you get an ID from everyone in the room. It’s often a good idea to do this first.

7. If, at any time during the confrontation, you feel as though you are in physical danger,
leave. Exit the room, write down the room number (and names of any residents you
recognize), and notify the Campus Living Coordinator immediately.

8. After the situation has been handled and IDs are collected, write the Incident Report.
Include the names of all present (even if they tell you “but I wasn’t drinking!” or “I
don’t live on campus!”) and be as complete and specific as possible about the
incident. Write the report immediately—you should not wait until the next morning,
when you may have forgotten crucial events. Also remember that the report has to be
turned in within 24 hours of the incident, so don’t dawdle.

9. It’s a good idea to thank residents who are cooperative—there’s no point in creating
even more RA/resident tension.

10. When in doubt, call the Campus Living Coordinator. If you feel unsure as to what to
do, find out. There is no shame in asking questions.

Conflict Resolution

 Residents often have problems with college and college life. Those problems very
often involve other residents. Welcome to the roommate conflict. When you are
dealing with two or more disagreeing or even hostile residents, whether they live
together or not, you must be a negotiator.

 If you are dealing with hostility, your first priority is to calm down those involved.
Separate the parties involved if you have to, allow time for cooling of heads and then
begin trying to get the problem out in the open and begin a calm discussion on how to
reach a solution. Always begin by having both sides agree to remain silent while the
other relates his or her position or opinion. If tensions start to rise again, take
another time out.

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 Remember that if you ever feel like you are out of your depth or about to lose control,
you can call in backup. A second RA can provide another level head in a tight spot.
Also, if it is an especially hostile situation or one that has been violent, it may be a
good idea to call the Campus Living Coordinator.

Here are Some Tips/Steps to Help You with a Negotiation:
1. Ask both parties in a disagreement “What is it you want?” Repeat it back to them in
the simplest terms possible.
2. As with counseling, probe and allow those involved to talk until all the underlying
concerns are aired.
3. Begin to generate a list of possible solutions to the problem. Involve both sides of the
disagreement. Try to create some patently insane solutions—this puts both sides in a
slightly lighter mood and points out what is rational.
4. Proceed to go down the list and create an agreeable solution from one or a group of
ideas.
5. When reaching a solution, make sure it is clear and well understood by all sides, and
in the same terms. Be sure everyone is satisfied. Don’t leave resentment behind or
troubles will only spring up later.
6. All involved have veto power. If someone decides to reject a solution at any time, you
just have to go back a few steps and work through things again.
7. Once a solution has been reached, work out logical consequences for breaking the
agreement. Be sure that the consequences are appropriate and not simply arbitrary
punishments. Each party may have to have an independent consequence.
8. Acknowledge those involved for participating in the negotiation and working toward a
solution. Review the solution one last time and confirm the consequences of each
party with the whole group.

Additional Tips for Mediation:
1. Never take sides.
 This means that you should never become the decision-maker.
 Don’t side with one individual against another.
2. Employ a win-win strategy.
 It is almost always possible that each roommate can walk away feeling that
he/she made his/her feelings understood and that he/she won at least part of
the conflict.
3. Assure personal integrity.
 Never allow one person to insult or humiliate another. Set the ground rules
early.
4. Get the conflict out in the open.
 Bring the two parties together to address the roots of the conflict. This
facilitates more open communication.

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5. Be aware of barriers.
 Defensiveness, put-downs, etc., play a counter-productive role in seeking
resolution.

6. Keep numbers of persons involved limited.
 Resolving roommate conflicts should involve only those individuals directly
involved.

7. Remember these Mediator’s non-verbals.
 Sit equidistant from all parties.
 Maintain eye contact.
 Remain physically open (i.e. maintain open body language).

Working with Groups

Because you will be involved in many different types of activities with your residence hall and
other groups of residents, there are several skills and techniques that can be used to make
the work easier and more profitable for you and your residents.

Understanding the Group
To successfully carry out your goals, you have to start with an understanding of your
residence hall. What sorts of programs will they respond to? How do you best get that
message across so everyone knows what’s going on? To do this you need to understand what
your residents’ needs and interests are.

Controlling the Group
Remember that, as an RA, you are a policy enforcer as well as a social planner. To keep all of
your residents in line, you must know how to control a group. This does not mean ruling your
residence hall with an iron fist—you must be subtle.

To achieve this subtle approach, you have to first know and then communicate your
boundaries clearly. When doing this, remember that “laying down the law” is one sure way to
start trouble. Freshmen are just finally being set free of the rules of home and high school,
and react poorly to strong shows of authority. Be clear but not autocratic.

Once the boundaries are established, control becomes a game of friendly reminders and
warnings to those who forget or slip-up, and the joy of policy enforcement on those who are
intent on breaking the rules in order to test you. It is important to use your best judgment in
responding to situations in violations of the rules, be they in other residence halls or yours.
Zealousness can lead to a rebellious residence hall that unites against the RA, while too light
a hand results in a residence hall run amok.

Because you are the leader of a residence hall, all eyes are on you when a disciplinary
situation arises. It is vital that you keep a calm disposition in any situation because those
same troublemaker residents will do their best to rattle you in front of the whole group.

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The most persuasive of all leadership skills is the personal example of the leader. As the role
model for your floor, the responsibility rests on your shoulders to be a respectable figure for
your residents. This is actually easier than it sounds.
Time Management
A Quick Time Management Crash Course:

 List your Goals. Sit down and write out all the things you have to do.
 Prioritize. Put that list in your order of priority.
 Make a Schedule. Keep a calendar of everything going on such as residence hall

events, tests, trips, meetings, and projects. In addition, you should plan out your
week’s work, tasks, and events in advance and stay on task.
 Post Your Goals and Schedule. Hang up a sign on your wall that you can look at every
day to remind yourself of where you want to go this semester, year, or millennium.

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Community Building & Programming

Useful RA Websites:
www.reslife.net
www.residentassistant.com
Famous People who were once RAs:
Adam Sandler – Actor

- New York University
Wesley Snipes – Actor

- State University of New York – Purchase
Mike Ditka – Former NFL Player & Coach

- University of Pittsburgh
Rusty Greer – Former Outfielder for the Texas Rangers

- University of Montevallo
Sheryl Crow – Musician

- University of Missouri at Columbia
Jerry O’Connell – Actor

- New York University
Kerry Washington – Actress

- George Washington University
Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) – Actor & Musician

- New York University

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Community Building

One of the most important aspects of the resident assistant position is to build a positive
community. The community is a dynamic place, made up of various people with different
values, cultures, lifestyles and attitudes. As members of the community, we must understand
the individuality and life choices of our residents. We must have the genuine desire to learn
from those around us as well as give others respect and tolerance. Every person has an
important role to play in the residence life community.

The Programming Model has two goals during the course of the academic year: to build
community and develop leaders. The skills that you will be able to gain or further enhance
are….

 Becoming a situational leader.
 Strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, anytime.
 Build an involved community where residents want to participate.
 Enhance your effectiveness at managing conduct, maintenance issues and other RA

tasks.
 Facilitate events that are resident-driven.
 See how recognition can affect your community.
 Develop and support rituals and traditions in your residence hall.
 Create a community that runs itself.

Programming Model is divided into the following phases:

 PHASE 1 Before Residents Arrive

 PHASE 2 The Fall Semester

 PHASE 3 The Spring Semester

Every phase is important to the success of the model. As a requirement, TSTC Resident
Assistants have specific functions in each phase. However, the total success will not
ultimately depend on the requirements, but the actual involvement from the Resident
Assistant.

Phase 1 Requirements:
1. Hang welcome posters in each residence hall.
2. Distribute welcome packages in each room, if available.
3. Have the first residence hall meeting immediately after all residence hall members are
in housing.

Phase 2 Requirements:
1. Participate in ONE campus wide Program.
2. Plan and facilitate ONE Educational/Learning Program
3. Plan and facilitate TWO to THREE Community Building or Social Programs.

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Phase 3 Requirements:
1. Participate in ONE campus wide Program.
2. Plan and facilitate ONE Educational/Learning Program
3. Plan and facilitate TWO to THREE Community Building or Social Programs.

Definitions:
Educational/Learning Program-

 As a group, RAs from Lavaca and RAs from Red River will be responsible for
coordinating one educational program per semester. The educational program should
focus on educating the residents in some area (Alcohol awareness, Drug awareness,
Safe Sex awareness, etc.). This allows residents to develop heighted awareness. The
educational program can be creative in order to attract students to the program but
in the end it should educate the residents. Additionally, you must promote and
encourage residents to attend the program.

Community Builder or Social Program-
 As a group, RAs from Lavaca and RAs from Red River will be responsible for
coordinating two to three community building or recreational programs per semester.
A community building program should focus socialization as the main purpose (movie
night, cook-out, video game tournament, etc.). A recreational program should be
physical in nature (three-on-three basketball, sand volleyball, etc.). Additionally, you
must promote and encourage residents to attend each program.

Getting Started

 Programming provides residents with opportunities to interact with and get to know
other students in their residence hall, thus developing a strong community that the
resident feels is supportive and encouraging.

 Use your residents as a resource. If they are interested and help plan the program,
they are more likely to attend and participate. Get them started right away with
ideas.

 Anything that provides residents with the opportunity to interact and socialize
constitutes a social program.

 Be sure to have a good idea of some programs before your residents arrive.
 It’s also a good idea to have your residents help plan and set-up/clean-up for your

programs.

Programming Ideas
Check out www.residentassistant.com and www.reslife.net for a list of programs from RAs
all over the country. These are typically the most successful programs and give you ideas on
how to get them started and what you might need. However, here are a few ideas to get you
started:

 Movie Night

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 Video Game Tournament
 Sports on the Intramural Fields
 Tie-dying T-Shirts
 Community Service projects
 Football Game Watching Party with Pizza and Wings
 Mid-Terms Pizza Break
 Cook-Out
 Board Games
 Karaoke

Anything that gets your residents out of their rooms and talking to one another is a program.

This is a recipe for successful programming. It is TSTC’s philosophy that if the Resident
Assistant is an excellent programmer, a positive community will result.

8 Steps to a Successful Program
1. Assess needs and interests of residents

You CANNOT focus solely on you! Focus on the needs of your residents. Needs assessment
can be done by informal group discussion by talking with your residents.

2. Determine the purpose of the program and a title
Objectives are helpful in planning the smallest to the largest of programs. Objectives will help
you organize all aspects of the program. Every good program needs a good title to attract
people.

3. Plan the program
“People support what they create”. Believe this statement because it is true. Involve others
in the planning stages.
Ask yourself:

 Are facilities available?
 What resources will be used?
 Tentative date? Any conflicts? (Check TSTC calendar)
 Any special equipment?
 What is the total cost and is it possible?
 Complete a Program Proposal Form.

4. Delegate responsibilities
This can be fun. DO NOT do everything yourself. Involve your residents as much as possible.
This will also build a sense of unity. Involving students to participate in the whole planning
process can be a very valuable tool! MAKE SURE YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND REWARD
OTHERS’ EFFORTS.

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5. Publicize the program
It is a waste of time to plan the program and not publicize it! Here are some tips:

 Place publicity on eye level in your housing area.
 Use creativity. Make your publicity stand out!
 Use logos, unusual titles and teasers.
 Handmade fliers or computer generated fliers can be used. Do whatever is best for

you.
 Use personal invitations.

6. Final countdown checklist
 Review the program planning sheet.
 Double check to make sure all tasks are completed.
 Confirm that all delegated tasks are completed.
 Check to make sure paperwork is complete.
 Make sure publicity is out.

7. Implement the program
 Make sure the place is ready!
 Make sure refreshments are delivered.
 Be there 10 to 15 minutes early.
 Have all materials ready.
 Participate and relax!

8. Evaluate the program
This will help you understand what went well and what needs changing. Be sure to always
have a sense of accomplishment for yourself. Many people will not thank you, so be sure to
congratulate yourself!

Be sure to thank those that have helped you in your program. You must complete a Program
Evaluation Form within 24 hours after your program. An ongoing file of your programming
efforts will be kept in the Campus Living office.

Your reports are important. By completing an evaluation, you can help other RAs in problem
areas. It is important to mention what went well and why. The same is true for
improvements. Also, be sure to include a copy of your publicity (if possible).

Additional Information: The amount of money budgeted for your RA programs will not be
determined until after the beginning of the school year since it is based on the number of
residents.

The program evaluation should be turned in to the Campus Living Coordinator within 24
hours after the program.

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Additional Information About Establishing Community

Typical First Residence hall Meeting: (Use and refer to the Housing Handbook as a Visual Aid
during this meeting and KEEP it handy for future reference. Allow a minimum of 30 minutes
for this meeting.

The following is a recommended agenda to follow for your first residence hall meeting. This is
probably the most important time to establish yourself as a Resident Assistant. Thus, DO NOT
under estimate the importance of this meeting!

Introduce Yourself - Let the residents know who you are. Explain your role as a student and
as a resident assistant.

Icebreaker

Community Living Environment - Define what a community is and what your expectations
are for a good community. Everyone must be able to get along. Talk about cooperation,
consideration, compromise, etc. Discuss that every student has rights and responsibilities.
Stress that students will be accountable for violating community or University expectations.
Also discuss cleanliness.

Campus Living Office – Explain where this office is and the services offered.

Room Condition – Let students understand the importance of the room inventory sheet.
Students will be responsible for paying for any damages they cause to the room. Instruct
residents not to use nails. Also explain that any furniture removed or later found missing or
damaged must be paid for by the student that the furniture was assigned to. Moving
furniture from one room to another is also subject to a fine.

Emergencies – Explain about fire safety and evacuation procedures (Crisis Management
section) in case of bad weather, etc. Be sure to get a disability list at this time. If there are any
special needs or medical conditions that you need to know about, ask for residents to meet
with you confidentially after the meeting.

Programming – Give an explanation of your programming requirements and get suggestions.
It is during this time that you can be on the outlook on who might be able to help you
program. Ask for ideas based on your residents’ preferences.

Policies – Remind your residents that they are to follow the Housing Handbook policies as
well as the campus policies. Specifically talk about the following:

 No Alcohol or Drugs – Serious penalties – including dismissal from housing and
possible police involvement.

 General Hygiene/ Personal Accountability – All trash must be bagged and tied and
placed in dumpsters – not left in common areas. No trash left on ground, porches or

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common areas – if maintenance is involved in cleaning up trash from residential
areas, all residents will be fined.
 Noise & Quiet Hours – Explain what noise is (loud music, yelling, slamming doors,
etc.) and how it affects others. Loud behavior in open areas may disturb others.
Always be courteous, keep voices and music at a reasonable level. Both Lavaca Hall
and Red River have a 24 hour “Quiet Hours” policy.
 Pets – No pets, except fish in 10 gallon (or smaller) aquarium. This is due to allergies
and general sanitation. No fur bearing creatures.
 Room Change – Residents may NOT move when they feel like it. No room changes
without good reason, in writing, as well as the expressed written approval of the
Campus Living Coordinator. Let them know that each room change requires these two
things.
 Security – Always be wary of people that do not belong on campus. Make sure your
door closes securely when you leave and ALWAYS carry your ID card and room key
with you at all times.
 Campus traffic pattern and speed limits.
 Visitation – Explain to your residents the rationale behind the policy and the times
(Mon. - Thurs.: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm; Fri. – Sun.: 10:00 am – 1:00 am). A visitor is
considered anyone (resident or commuter) that is not registered to the room.

Be sure to explain the role of the RAs doing nightly rounds. Briefly explain what will happen if
a resident is found breaking a policy:

 Warnings
 Citations – Requires making an appointment with the Campus Living Coordinator.
 Incident Reports
 Police

Maintenance – Inform your residents to call you if there is a maintenance request. Let them
know that sometimes, maintenance concerns are prioritized. However, each concern will be
addressed.

Guests – Overnight guests are prohibited. If a resident feels that they need to make a special
request for an overnight guest, they should contact the Campus Living Coordinator.

Questions?

Before the Residents Arrive

Attend all RA training sessions on time and be alert.
Door decorations – These should be completed before residents arrive in your residence hall.
Bulletin boards – Same as door decorations.
Post important information.
Prepare for first residence hall meeting, including an icebreaker.

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Start thinking of programs for your residence hall.
Take care of any “last minute” business – fixing your schedule, buying books, etc.
Take time for yourself.

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Community Standards of Conduct

Goals of Being an RA
The Role Model

The most persuasive of all leadership skills is the personal example of the leader. As the role
model for your residence hall, the responsibility rests on your shoulders to be a respectable
figure for your residents. This is actually easier than it sounds.

Tips for Setting the Example:
 Obeying the Rules—Following instructions, obeying policies, and doing things in the
proper manner shows that you believe in doing what you are supposed to do, in the
right way.
 Showing Initiative—A good leader must do what has to be done without waiting to
be told or forced to act. Regularly checking up on your residents’ needs in regards to
facilities or classes is a great way to take initiative.
 Maintaining Academic Success—Doing well in school is not only what you are here
for; it sets a perfect example for residents.
 Acting with Maturity—An effective leader shows good judgment. The leader sees
that his personal behavior is directed toward the good of the group.
 Knowing the Job—Have a grasp of your job and the other services and roles within
the college. When a resident asks for help, be sure you can provide it or direct them
to the proper source.
 Having a Positive Attitude—This is vital as an example to your floor. You can’t be
happy all the time, and your room is your home, but when involved in carrying out
your responsibilities, be they program-related or duty-related, a positive attitude is a
must.


Entering A Resident’s Room

Occasionally, an RA may need to enter a resident’s room in the absence of the resident. This
action is only permitted under certain circumstances and must be approved by the Campus
Living Coordinator. Please follow the following guidelines when entering a room:

 Get permission from the Coordinator.
 Be prepared to explain to the Coordinator why entrance into the room is necessary

(medical emergency, suspected policy violation, alarm clock, etc.).
 Make sure that another RA is present to witness you enter the room.
 RAs should leave a note in the room explaining why the room was entered.

Making Contact With Residents Involved In An Incident

 Know the rules – know the Housing Handbook. Be sure you are familiar with TSTC
expectations of resident behavior.

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 Identify yourself verbally any time you are working (especially on nightly rounds).
 Assess the situation. How many students are there? Do you need back up? Is there

violence or the potential for violence?
 Identify ALL students. We are at an advantage in that you should know ALL residents.

If there are non-residents, identify them. If you don’t know them, ask for some ID. If
necessary, call the Coordinator or police.
 Stay calm. Your role is to stop the behavior. Do not escalate a situation by making
judgments or assumptions or by being rude. You must stay in control and detached at
ALL times. If you are not able to do this, ask your partner or another RA to act as the
primary respondent with you being the back-up observer.
 Treat the students with respect. Choose your course of action.
 Do not make accusations or threats.
 Never second-guess another RA in front of fellow students; if necessary, ask to speak
to them in private, away from the students.
 Write all reports and turn them in immediately.

Recommendations For Enforcing College Policy

Never Work Alone
RA’s should always work in pairs, especially when addressing problem situations. RA’s should
also never enter a situation in which they feel they are placing themselves in physical danger.
It is always better to go for help than risk injury.

Always Be Polite
RA’s may not use foul language or mannerisms when dealing with students. It is sometimes
difficult, especially when students are verbally abusive; however RA’S must maintain their
composure.

Never Get Physical
RA’s may never strike out physically at a student, regardless of circumstance. RA’s may
defend themselves but never take an offensive stance. As a general rule RA should never
touch a student for any reason.

Never Accuse
An RA should never be accusatory when dealing with students. You may feel a student is an
alcoholic, or a liar, or guilty of a violation, however, you should never openly accuse that
individual. An RA’s responsibility is to observe, protect and report. An RA should never pass
judgment on a student.

Document the Incident Immediately
Always write incident reports immediately after incident occurs.

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Room Entry
RA’s should never enter a resident’s room alone and should be occupied by another RA if
doing routine inspections. The only exception to this is if a student’s safety is threatened, in
which case the RA may enter alone. When entering a resident’s room, the RA should knock
loudly and wait a reasonable amount of time before entering. The RA should open the door
and announce “Campus Living” in a loud voice. Once inside the RA should prop door open if
possible.

Documenting A Resident

Warnings:
Inform the resident or commuter that they should consider themselves being given a verbal
warning that will be documented on your report to the Campus Living Coordinator. Any
further occurrences will result in a Resident Contact Report (write-up).

Resident Contact Reports (Write-Ups):
Complete all information on the form. BE detailed. Explain to the student why they are
receiving one and what they need to do to resolve the issue (make an appointment with the
Campus Living Coordinator by the date you have indicated). Signing the report is NOT an
admission of guilt – it is simply showing receipt of the contact report. If the student refuses
to sign, you need to write on the Resident Signature line, “Resident Refused to Sign”, and
give them their copy anyway.

Incident Reports:
An incident report is a form that RAs complete to record significant happenings within
Campus Living. Incident reports MUST be filled out within 24 hours of the policy violation.
Incident reports are completed online and submitted directly to the Dean of Students. A copy
of the Incident Report should be emailed to the Campus Living Coordinator. A significant
happening can be one or more of the following events:

 Policy violations
 Emergency situations (i.e., medical, fire)
 Other situations of which the RAs and Coordinator need to be aware
 Roommate conflicts
 Cohabitation
 When parents contact you
 Potential problems
 Repeated maintenance issues
 Any type of follow-up
 To build a file (including possible emotional issues)

Post-Report Follow-Up
Below are the options that Campus Living has with your informational reports and contact
reports:

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 No Follow-Up
 Disciplinary Counseling. The Campus Living Coordinator will meet with the student(s)

to gather more information and insight and help them understand why the behavior
is inappropriate, and assign disciplinary sanctions.
 Direct Administrative Action
 Criminal Charges (from police involvement)

General Reporting Guidelines

 Abide by all TSTC policies and procedures.
 Write legibly when completing a Resident Contact Report. Sloppy handwriting will not

be accepted and your report will be returned to you for an immediate re-write since
any delay prolongs the disciplinary process.
 Use correct grammar and spelling when completing reports. If your report looks
unprofessional, you may lose credibility.
 Include ALL information in your reports. It is important to include all details in report
writing, even insignificant ones. When in doubt, write it out.
 Write in the third person. This makes it easier for us to keep the sequence of events
straight. For example, write, “RA White contacted ….”, instead of, “I contacted….”.
 Write in chronological order.
 Pay attention to detail. Documentation is extremely important. When you take the
time to write out a Resident Contact Report or submit an Incident Report, include an
accurate description of events. Be sure to include who, what, when, where, why, and
how.
 Do not include your thoughts, opinions, or insights.
 Do not inform a student that they will not be fined, or what you think will happen.
Your role is to contact and stop the behavior.
 Do not criticize TSTC, its policies, or another staff member(s).
 Turn in all reports by 9:00 am, the next working day.

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EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Texas State Technical College
Campus Living

Emergency Numbers

Department or Title Name Office Phone Cell Phone
TSTC Police Department 254-867-3690 254-379-6549
Director of Campus Living Jeremiah Bland 254-867-2056 254-717-8692
Campus Living Coordinator Shane Hill 254-867-3883 682-219-7966
Police/Fire/EMS Emergency 911
MHMR Crisis Line 1-800-375-4357
National Youth Crisis Hotline 1-800-448-4663

Counseling & Addiction Resources

Humana SAP (Student Assistance Program)
Free and Confidential for all eligible students and household members.
Humana.com/sap
Username: tstcstudents
Password: tstcstudents
1-855-270-3349 (TTY: 711)

Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Emergency Procedures

Medical Emergencies

When a resident requires medical attention, it is most important that you exercise common
sense. Assess the seriousness of the need first. As an RA, you should:

 Contact appropriate emergency personnel.
 Notify the Campus Living Coordinator.
 Stay with the person until help arrives.
 Clear the area of other people, so medical professionals can provide assistance.
 Be attentive to person’s needs.
 Be prepared to answer questions and assist the responding parties.
 Write down what occurred, in the event more information is needed at a later date.

Suicide Attempts

In the event of a suicide attempt or threat, contact the Campus Living Coordinator and
Campus Police immediately. Continue to call until you have reached assistance.

Do the Following:
 Call for assistance.
 Stay with the person until help arrives.
 If time allows, call another RA to assist.
 Remain calm.
 Be attentive to the person’s needs.
 Listen to the person. LISTEN to them!! Let them talk!!

Do NOT do the Following:
 Leave the person alone.
 Attempt to handle the situation alone.
 Transport the person in your car.
 Share confidential information with anyone, except the Campus Living Coordinator,
campus police, Dean of Students, and/or Student Development staff.
 Notify friends and family.

Fire/Fire Alarm/Fire Drill

Every fire alarm must be taken seriously. Your primary role is to evacuate your building and
contact the Campus Police. A fire drill must be taken just as seriously as a real fire.

In the event of a fire of fire alarm:
 Remain calm and assertive.

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 Call 911/campus security if necessary.
 If a small fire is discovered, locate the fire extinguisher and point nozzle toward

bottom of flame and compress handle.
 If fire is too large for fire extinguisher, begin to evacuate building. Make certain all

residents are notified.
 Help residents with special disabilities.
 Direct residents to designated centralized area – Parking Lot.
 Using a housing roster, double check and identify residents.
 Inform residents to stay assembled until further instructed.
 Direct Fire Department/Campus Police to fire.

Fire exit drills shall be conducted each semester. The drills shall involve actual evacuation of
all residents to the designated place (Parking lot). The RA will knock on resident doors and
announce “Fire Drill”. Be sure all residents evacuate room. The Campus Living Coordinator
and Director of Campus Living will assist with Fire Drills.

In the event of a fire, the site must be inspected by our safety coordinator to determine the
cause of the fire. Nothing should be disturbed in the room until all inspections have been
completed. No clean-up of the fire damage should occur until all inspections have been
completed.

Lavaca Hall Alarm Procedure

 A fire alarm signals that all occupants must evacuate the building immediately in a
safe manner without running, obstructing exits, or endangering others.

 After evacuation, all students should gather in front of the Student Services Center.
 An evacuation plan and escape route is posted in the inside of the door to each room

and hallways.
 Resident Assistants, TSTC Police Officers, or Fire Department personnel will attempt

to evacuate the building.
 Alarms should be treated as an actual emergency at all times.

Anyone discovering a fire or hazardous emergency should:
 Signal an alarm immediately by engaging nearest fire alarm pull station.
 Follow evacuation procedures
 Call 911
 Contact a Resident Assistant

Following any evacuation, DO NOT return to the building until directed to do so by a TSTC
Police Officer, Fire Department personnel, or Campus Living Coordinator.

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RA Procedure Checklist:
 Evacuate the building by knocking on all doors.
 Check all common areas of the building
 Check resident roster after vacating building to determine persons unaccounted for at
the designated gathering point in front of the Student Services Center.
 Wait for direction from TSTC Police Officers, Fire Department Personnel, or Campus
Living Coordinator.

Any of the above procedures shall be surpassed if performing them creates an imminent
threat of injury or death to you.

Red River Apartments Alarm Procedure

Following the signal of a smoke alarm, all residents should take the following action:
 Check the apartment for smoke.
 Utilize the fire extinguisher in necessary – NEVER TAKE ACTION THAT PLACES
YOURSELF OR OTHERS AT RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
 Evacuate the apartment.
 Call 911 and contact the Campus Living Coordinator.
 Evacuations may include neighboring apartments when necessary.
 Follow all directives of the TSTC Police Officers, Fire Department personnel, and
Campus Living Coordinator.
 Only return to the apartment after being directed to do so by TSTC Police Officers,
Fire Department personnel, or Campus Living Coordinator.

RA Procedure Checklist:
 Evacuate the unit
 Evacuate the remaining units in the building
 Call 911 and the Campus Living Coordinator
 Check the roster for unaccounted persons.

Any of the above procedures shall be surpassed if performing them creates an imminent
threat of injury or death to you.

Tornado Alerts

When weather conditions are such that it seems likely that a storm is approaching the
campus, TSTC Police and Campus Living staff will be listening to the weather alert radio,
police radios, and television stations for the latest weather news. If it becomes necessary for
you to take shelter you will be contacted by TSTC Police or a Campus Living staff member. A
“tornado watch” indicates a possible storm. A “tornado warning” means a tornado has been
sighted in the area and residents should seek shelter. If a “tornado warning” is issued by the
Weather Bureau and you are inside, you should:

 Remain calm.
 Listen for campus sirens.

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 Make certain all residents are notified.
 In the event you do not have time to go the Student Center, lie under a bed, desk, or
heavy table or go into an interior room.
 Wait until you have clearance from campus security to return to your residence.

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