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Assistant Dean for Residential Life
Programs
Basic Function and Responsibility
Provide direction, oversight, and advocacy to the residential
life program, a key component of the Office of Student Life
Programs. Manage and create a comprehensive program for Residential
Life, including the assessment of core needs, evaluation of
staff responsibilities, and overall program implementation.
Encourage faculty/staff collaboration on programs and activities.
Help shape expectations among staff, community, and SLP and
work to develop strategies for collaboration. Develop and maintain
an environment that maximizes the personal growth of students
and student leaders; provide opportunities for students to learn
and live in a diverse and multicultural community. Contribute
to the development of policies and programs throughout the Office
of Student Life Programs and the Division of Student Life.
The residence system at MIT consists of eleven undergraduate
halls housing approximately 3000 students and eight graduate
residences housing approximately 2200 students and families.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
Lead and develop a strategic plan for Residential Life Programs,
using a newly developed programming model focusing on six pillars
of the student life experience: intellectual, social/cultural,
emotional, health/wellness, spiritual, and career/occupation.
Work closely with faculty housemasters, students, housing staff,
and others in assessing the needs and outcomes of a successful
residential program. Support the development of new programs
in the residence halls, especially those ideas generated by
the house teams including student leaders. Research best practices
at other institutions.
Provide supervision and direction to the Residential Life Programs
staff, which consists of 4 Residential Life Associates (primarily
serving undergraduate residences), 1 Program Manager for Graduate
Residences, and shared Administrative Assistant. Supports long-term
career success of program staff by encouraging professional
development activities, participating in training programs,
and ongoing assessment of performance. Encourages and facilitates
the development of effective working relationships between the
RLP staff and the residential community, particularly faculty
Housemasters and residential student governments.
Promote and engage MIT faculty interactions in the residence
halls. Coordinate and manage the selection process for all Housemasters
(faculty in residence) and serve as primary liaison with all
faculty in residence. Work with RLP staff to ensure effective
implementation of the House Fellows program and encourage full
participation with each residence.
Oversee the Graduate Resident Tutor (GRT) program; a system
of graduate student advisors distributed throughout the residential
system. Provide management and direction to RLP staff in the
planning and administration of GRT selection, training, and
evaluation, including monthly in-service training and/or information
programs for GRTs and Housemasters.
Develop and maintain, in conjunction with the Director of Housing,
effective management procedures and policies as they apply to
residence hall programs and events. Collaborate with the Housing
Office staff on projects and initiatives. Work through and with
the Associate Dean and Director of SLP to address organizational
impact of proposed changes in the existing system, such as the
roles and responsibilities of current staff to deliver programs
in the residence halls.
Oversee the coordination of the summer resident assistant program.
Manage the Residential Life Programs budget and ensures that
funds are spent carefully and responsibly and are aligned with
both the DSL and MIT missions.
Establish and promote collaboration between Residential Life
Programs and other MIT administrative offices to enhance the
MIT residential experience. Work closely with other Dean for
Student Life offices on opportunities to develop and enhance
student life.
Serve as a member of the Student Life Programs leadership team,
along with the Associate Dean and Director (team leader) and
the Assistant Deans of the Public Service Center, Student Activities,
and Fraternities, Sororities, and Independent Living Groups.
Help develop SLP-wide goals that fit with the mission of the
Division of Student Life.
Serve as a member of the Dean on Call team, specifically in
a consultative and supportive role in an on-call rotation of
one week per month. Oversee the primary on-call responders (the
Residential Life Associates and the Program Manager).
Oversee the implementation of the MIT Alcohol Policy as it
relates to residence hall programs and events. Review and assess
the event registration system in the residence halls.
Provide advice and counsel to individual students on residence
related and/or personal matters. Refer students as needed to
resources within MIT.
Assist in conflict resolution and discipline at MIT, including
service on the Dean’s Office hearing panels and as an
administrative review officer, as requested. Ensure that Residential
Life Programs and the Office of Student Discipline provide effective
support and advice to the student residential judicial committees.
Contribute to both DSL and SLP programs and activities as requested.
Oversee other projects as directed by the Associate Dean/Director
for Student Life Programs
and the Dean for Student Life.
Supervision Received
Direct supervision is received from the Associate Dean/Director
of Student Life Programs.
Supervision Exercised
Direct supervision is exercised over the four Residential Life
Associates, the Program Manager for Graduate Residences, and
an Administrative Assistant shared with the Associate Dean/Director
of SLP.
Qualifications
Masters degree in Counseling, Student Personnel, management
or related area required. A minimum of seven years of progressive
experience in a university setting, with some experience in
residential life and/or housing, required. Demonstrated commitment
to the development of comprehensive programming models and evaluation
mechanisms is required. Strong management, communication, and
organizational skills are essential, as is good judgement, flexibility
and sensitivity in understanding and relating to students of
various backgrounds. The ability to work closely with faculty
in residence and faculty programs is required. Experience in
a diverse, high intensity academic environment is desired, as
is the ability to think critically and broadly about issues
facing residential life. Demonstrated experience in hiring,
training, and supervising a diverse and dynamic residential
life staff is essential. This position requires some evening
and weekend work, as well as an on-call rotation of one week
per month. |
