RA & PAC Recruitment

If I will not be available during the stated interview times should I apply?  
Yes, we will consider your extenuating circumstances should we have additional openings after the interview process. We can keep your application on file and may call you for a separate interview in the future, should an opening become available. 

What does the individual interview process entail?  
The interview is 45 minutes long and will allow you to demonstrate your strengths in a variety of contexts. The individual interview will allow you to talk individually with the Residential Life Professional Staff about the positions and to determine if the RA or PAC position would be a great fit for you.   

What should I do to prepare for the interview process?  
We recommend utilizing the Career and Professional Development Center for assistance with a resume, interview practice, professional etiquette, etc. They offer virtual services to Stan State students. Visit the Career Center website for helpful tips and tools. 

What is the difference between a RA and a PAC?  
RA responsibilities include building a positive, safe, and inclusive community in Housing through informal interactions with residents, social and educational programming, conflict resolution, and policy enforcement. 

PAC responsibilities include supporting residents with their academic endeavors, which includes providing residents with important academic oriented information, dates, and deadlines, navigating University academic processes, and offering one on one coaching. Living Learning Community PACs have additional responsibilities pertaining to the specific classes assigned to LLC residents.

Can I choose the Village/floor I want to be RA or PAC in?  
While it is possible for you to share your areas of interest in the application, those preferences are not guaranteed to be met. All RAs and PACs will be placed in either a Single Suite or Single Apartment.  You will have your own single bedroom within your assigned suite or apartment.

Will I have roommates as a RA or PAC?  
Yes, you will have roommates in your assigned suite or apartment. If selected as a team member, you can request one person who you would like to be placed in your assigned unit. This person must have a completed housing application in order for them to be placed with you.

When do I need to be back on campus for RA and PAC Training?  
Attendance for Summer RA and Academic Year RA/PAC Training is mandatory. Summer RA training occurs prior to the start of summer session, usually in late May. Academic Year RA/PAC training is about three weeks long and typically starts the last week of July.

How many hours should I dedicate to RA and PAC positions?  
The RA position takes up to approximately 15-18 hours per week, plus duty hours. The RA's position responsibilities include: weekly staff meetings, biweekly check-ins monthly resident and community meetings, resident interactions, various programming, administrative work, duty coverage, and various Housing events. 

The PAC position takes up approximately 10-12 hours per week. The PAC position responsibilities include weekly/biweekly meetings, monthly resident meetings, resident interactions, hosting study nights, administrative work, and various Housing events. 

The LLC PAC position takes up approximately 15-18 hours per week. The LLC PAC position responsibilities include weekly/biweekly meetings, collaborating with faculty, attendance of assigned LLC classes, participating in additional monthly programming and recruitment events, monthly resident meetings, resident interactions, hosting study nights, administrative work, and various Housing events. 

What is RA Duty like?  
Each RA typically has one weekday of duty each week, and one weekend of duty each month. Typically, an RA will be on duty for 7-8 days out of a month. RAs are not allowed to leave campus when they are on duty and must be available by phone and walkie talkie for the full duty shift. 

When on duty, RAs will have to complete rounds of the Housing community in the evenings and will have to respond to calls from residents for assistance. These calls may include lockouts, noise complaints, maintenance issues, or other resident concerns. 

If I become a RA, what holiday period will I have to be on duty?  
Each RA will have to cover one duty shift during one of the Holiday Breaks. This includes Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break. Each holiday shift is a period of 4-6 days. During summer training, RAs will sign up for the holiday shift they wish to cover duty. The Professional Staff team will work with the RAs to be as fair as possible with scheduling holiday duty coverage. 

Am I able to leave campus on the weekends?  
As a RA or PAC, you will be able to leave campus on weekends, unless you have been previously scheduled to work. While you are able to leave campus, we expect RAs and PACs to be in the community throughout the evening on a regular basis and remain on campus at least two of every four weekends. It is important that student leaders have a presence within the community and the Village.

What is the compensation for being an RA?  
RAs will receive in-kind support in the form of a single room in the hall of assignment, a meal plan through campus food services, and a parking pass. 

What is the compensation for being a PAC?  
PACs will receive in-kind support in the form of a rent reduction of a single room in the hall of assignment, prorated into 10 monthly payments. Regular room rates apply. PACs do not receive a parking pass. 

Will becoming an RA or PAC affect my financial aid?  
Possibly. Per Financial Aid guidelines, your appointment will be reported to the University Financial Aid Office which could impact your expected cost of attendance.  With your in-kind compensation potentially affecting your offered Financial Aid for the academic year. We encourage you to consult with Financial Aid to address any concerns or changes that could occur. 

Can I hold another position on/off-campus if I am a RA or PAC?  
PACs and RAs can hold other part-time jobs while in their positions; the expectation is that hours worked at an additional on or off-campus job should not exceed 15 hours per week. If a PAC/RA chooses to have another job they must first get approval from their supervisor and they are still required to attend all job meetings and functions. An additional on or off-campus job cannot take priority over the Housing position.

How many summer students will be on the floor I am assigned to?  
This can vary, depending on how many summer applications we receive. In past years, SRAs can have about 5-12 summer residents on their floors. 

What does duty looks like for the Summer RA role?   
Duty is an essential role of the Summer RA position. You will be assigned to a duty team of 2-3 and duty schedules for the entire summer are arranged at the start of the appointment.

Summer RAs are on duty for up to one full week (4PM-7:30AM, Mon-Sun) and typically have at least one week off before resuming duty. RAs are not allowed to leave campus between 4PM-7:30AM during the week they are on duty and must be available by phone and walkie talkie for the full duty shift. 

Am I permitted to take summer classes while in the Summer RA role?  
Yes! 

If I plan on being a RA, PAC, or LLC PAC in the Fall, am I able to be a Summer RA?  
Yes. We may need to shift some schedules around due to Fall training dates, but you will be able to be a Summer RA.

Will I be able to hold another job and be a SRA?  
Yes, as long as you are able to fulfill all your SRA commitments including connecting with your residents, serving on duty, and assisting with Open House/New Student Orientations. 

Will I be able to go off campus?  
Yes! As long as you are not scheduled for duty or other SRA commitments, you may be off campus.