Resident assistants contribute to NSU

Kelsey Pipes

TNE Writer

Resident Assistants for the dorm buildings on campus are first students and can be seen sitting in

classrooms just like everyone else; however, their day does not end when classes are finished.

“My typical day involves going to class and doing homework like any normal college student,”

said Dylan Peters, resident assistant. “There are duty nights and weekends which the RA will

carry the duty phone to assist residents and complete rounds in their designated building. There

is also programming, where each building and area works to put on a program every month for

the residents to enjoy.”

Being an RA is not a walk in the park, there are interviews, learning and training to be done to

insure the safety of the students living in the building is maintained.

“All RA’s are trained in CPR, suicide prevention, fire safety, and CERT training,” said Hayley

Lutz, Hastings Hall resident assistant. “We also go through an annual series of what-would-you-

do scenarios called Behind Open Doors to better prepare us in the event of pretty much anything

that could happen.”

For students living on campus that are interested in becoming an RA, there are a few

requirements, including living on campus for a minimum of two semesters and filling out an

application in the Spring semester that is turned into the housing office.

“After the first few steps the applicants will show up to a Group Process, here they will go

through a group interview while completing various activities,” said Micheal Crockett.

“Afterwards there is an individual interview process where each applicant will sit down in front

of a few members of the Resident Life Staff.”

For the RA, this job has given them the opportunity to make long lasting memories and

friendships; some would say they have the best job around.

“The best part about my job is the people I work with,” said Peters. “We spend a lot time

together and we get really close. We are like one big family and are always there to help each

other out.”

Published 2/05/15

Cutline: Hayley Lutz spends her evenings once every week at the front desk of Hastings Hall to

help answer any questions residents might have. This job is a requirement by all the RA’s.