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RA choices selected for next year

University Housing announced yesterday the selection of 312 students for residence hall staff positions for the 1996-97 school year.

Students were hired for Resident Adviser, Academic Peer Adviser, Minority Peer Adviser Assistant and Residence Computer System Consultant positions.

Assistant Director of Residence Education Julie Lavrack coordinated the three-phase evaluation process for the 517 applicants. She said applicants for the four different staff positions were evaluated under similar criteria and application processes.

"We looked for qualities such as ability to participate in a group, ability to deal with ambiguity, interpersonal skills and the potential for peer counseling," Lavrack said.

Lavrack said the only significant increase in the number of staff positions was in Mary Markley. An additional 16 staff positions were created as a result of doubling the size of the 21st Century program.

Students applying for the residence hall staff positions began the formal application process in January by completing an application.

Maria Job, an RC senior hired as an RA for East Quad, said she applied for the position based on her experience as an orientation leader.

"I saw what it was like to be a resource for a short time and dealing with that made me want to do it for a long time," Job said. "Being an RA allows me an extended amount of time to address minority and diversity issues."

Lavrack said all applicants participated in a three-hour group evaluation session in late January.

First, students were divided into groups of 12 and given a list of various tasks. They were instructed to prioritize the list and explain the relative importance of each task.

Next, groups had to take part in role-playing situations. The situations were similar to those experienced by resident assistants on a daily basis.

At this stage in the selection process, Lavrack said potential staff members were referred to individual residence halls. Each residence hall conducted different interview processes.

Crystal Smith, an LSA sophomore, applied for RA positions in West Quad, South Quad and in Hill residence halls. She was hired as a resident assistant for Mosher-Jordan, her first choice.

"I'm a very social person and interested in meeting people of new and diverse backgrounds," Smith said. "This position will force me to interact with people of all backgrounds and will benefit me by developing my leadership skills."

Larger residence halls have Minority Peer Advisor Assistants. Five students were hired for that position for next year.

"We are primarily looking for students of color to act as peer advisors and minority counseling advisors," Lavrack said.

Lavrack said academic peer advisors act as a link with LSA academic advisors and provide academic peer advising for all residents. Housing hired 11 new peer advisors.