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for FSILGs > Resident Advisor Program
Resident Advisor Program
> RA Information for Current FSILG Officers
and Alumni Corporation Volunteers
RA Information for Potential Resident Advisor
Candidates
The FSILG Resident Advisor Role
Resident Advisors serve as mentors, role models, guides, and
resources for the students who live in MIT’s 36 residential
FSILG facilities. Responsibilities of the RA position can vary
from chapter to chapter; however, the FSILG office seeks to
fill each position with a candidate who takes initiative to
build rapport with the undergraduate members of the FSILG, as
well as communicate well with the alumni corporation of the
FSILG, and MIT.
In many ways, the role of the FSILG Resident Advisor is similar
to that of the Graduate Resident Tutors in MIT's residence
halls. They are expected to serve as a resource for students
and at times to serve as liaison between the chapter, the volunteer
alumni advisors who serve the chapter, and MIT. While not charged
with official enforcement responsibilities, they are expected
to know and inform their residents about MIT policies, common
sense safety practices, and to take appropriate action to ensure
their residents follow such policies and practices. Resident
Advisors receive training by Student Life Programs in cooperation
with MIT's Medical Department, Safety Office, Facilities, Campus
Police and other offices. RAs are expected to reside in the
FSILG throughout the academic year and the summer. Preference
will be given to those candidates possessing qualities of student
leadership, maturity, excellent character, and a genuine interest
in working with students.
Qualifications
Resident Advisors are required to hold a Bachelor's degree and
preferably be enrolled in an MIT or other area institution graduate
program. Generally, candidates may not have lived in the FSILG
for which they are being considered as an undergraduate within
the last three years; although exceptions to this policy are
granted with approval from alumni corporations and the Dean
of FSILGs. This policy is in effect to prevent RAs from being
placed in a possibly compromising position by expecting them
to be a role model for individuals whom they may have previously
lived with as peers.
Employment Arrangement
Resident Advisors are employees of the FSILG that invites
them to accept the position. The MIT Comptrollers Office has
indicated that as long as living in the house and eating meals
with the residents is a condition of employment, then room and
board compensation is not considered taxable income and is not
subject to withholding or reporting. If, however, an FSILG arranges
to provide the RA with additional compensation in the form of
a stipend or other cash payment, both parties should be prepared
to abide by all state and federal employment and tax regulations.
Duration of Appointment
Each RA appointment is for one year; August 1 through July 31.
If a RA decides to leave the position before the end of that
period, MIT, the alumni, and officers of the chapter should
be given as much notice as possible in order to fill the vacancy.
Each year, RAs will undergo a performance review and evaluation
from students, alumni, and the FSILG Office. Reappointment is
based on a positive recommendation from the stakeholders in
the RA program. RAs commonly stay in the position for a period
of 1-3 years.
Programming
Each RA is expected to provide programming opportunities for
the chapter to engage in each semester. A programming stipend
of $250 per year is allotted for RAs to creatively build community
and provide social or educational learning objectives through
programs offered to the FSILG undergraduates.
Reimbursement for Expenses Incurred
by the FSILG
MIT reimburses each FSILG an amount equal to that FSILGs room
& board charges for the academic year. Reimbursement occurs twice annually and is directed to the FSILG, not the Resident Advisor. Included in each
semester’s reimbursement is a small phone reimbursement
that should be directed to the RA.
Remuneration for RA
RAs receive free room and board from the chapter that has invited
them to be their Resident Advisor. Any other benefit or compensation
such as parking at the FSILG or a cash stipend is an agreement
between the RA and the chapter or alumni corporation. The FSILG
office will sponsor an MIT email account for each RA upon request,
and may also provide opportunities to purchase on campus parking
permits.
Supervision
Supervision of RAs is shared by the Fraternity, Sorority, and
Living Group Office and the House Corporation of the FSILG in
which the RA lives. The FSILG Office, the House Corporation,
and the undergraduate chapter may all be involved in performance
reviews of the RA.
Training
The FSILG Office conducts regular training for all RAs. Training
and orientation for Resident Advisors occurs at the beginning
of each semester and bi-monthly during the year. Attendance
at regularly scheduled training is required unless excused.
Indemnification
It is MIT’s understanding that each Resident Advisor has
liability coverage while acting within the scope of his or her
duties by the FSILGs general liability insurance policy. In
addition, Resident Advisors may be covered by relevant Institute
Insurance and/or indemnified by MIT if they are acting in good
faith and in the scope of their duties and not contrary to the
Mission and Purpose of the Institute.
Job Description and Responsibilities
The role of the RA is set forth primarily by the RA Terms of
Agreement with MIT, a document revised each year by MIT and
shared with RAs, alumni, and undergraduates. This document specifies
required responsibilities and minimum standards. Among these
responsibilities emerge several overarching points:
- The RA must reside in the FSILG for the entire term
of agreement.
- The RA must take appropriate steps to maximize interaction
with the undergraduates and foster a welcoming and comfortable
environment for undergraduates to seek guidance.
- The RA must serve as an advisor to the undergraduates,
actively seeking out ways in which the RA can enrich the undergraduate
experience through programming, resource distribution, and identification
of issues: personal, academic, and safety related.
- The RA must integrate expectations of key stakeholders
and assist in communication between all these groups.
- The RAs must conduct themselves in a professional manner
and serve as a role model for the undergraduates.
- The RAs are knowledgeable of, and inform members, of
MIT rules and policies.
- Additional responsibilities outlined by the undergraduates
and/or House Corporation.
These points are the foundation of the RA job description and
are the building blocks upon which each RA and each individual
chapter and house corporation must personalize their needs.
An FSILG which opts to add responsibilities of a house director
may add to the job description shown here, and negotiate additional
compensation, but may not omit any element of this fundamental
job description.
Resources for Current RAs
Additional Information
For more information about the RA program, selection and hiring
processes and timelines, and the role and responsibilities of
RAs, please contact Lauren Wojtkun in the FSILG Office at laurenw@mit.edu or 617.258.5490.
Current RA Application
All applications for RA positions are reviewed each Spring,
with selections generally made by chapters over the summer months.
Applications may be submitted online to the FSILG Office at
the following link: http://web.mit.edu/slp/fsilgs/ra-application.shtml
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