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Resident Associate Advisors (RAAs) Responsibilities
This section provides you with an immense array of resources that we hope will make your life a little bit easier. The intention is to provide you with the answers, or at least direct you to appropriate resources, so that you are able to advise to the best of your ability. In essence, we are trying to “set you up for success.”
Click on one of the links below for more information on the topic of interest.
Your Role as an RAA
As an RAA, you will have an enormous impact on your advisees formative first-year experiences. We want you to be challenged and inspired and to transmit your energy to those living in your building. You have the opportunity to be a leader among your peers, and to play a significant role in the lives of your fellow MIT students. No day will be the same. Things you do that might seem small in your own mind could mean the world to another. An attentive listening ear, a pat on the back, or a referral to the correct resource; can pay large dividends in the end.
Despite all of your training, you may encounter bumps along the road and may need to overcome various obstacles. We have no doubt that you will persevere and have confidence in your abilities. We encourage you to come to us with questions or concerns, at any time, we are here to help and support you in your role.
RAA Responsibilities
Your role as a RAA is to strengthen the support network for first-year students and to enrich the residence hall community. As a RAA, you are an active community-builder and peer mentor who can draw upon and connect with the resources of your House, Student Life Programs (SLP), the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programming (UAAP), and the Center for Health Promotion and Wellness at MIT Medical.
Above all, you are a role model and mentor for other students in your living group and across MIT. It is important to remember that what you say and do will reflect upon your dorm and the offices involved with RBA. Being an RAA must be a high priority for you. While your academic coursework takes priority over this position, being an RAA needs to take precedence over any club, activity, or job on your priority list.
As a RAA, you will report to your house RLA, who in turn will communicate with the Staff Associate for Advising and Mentoring (Dan Chapman, dwc@mit.edu) who oversees the RBA program in the UAAP. The Center for Health Promotion and Wellness, Student Life Programs, and your Housemaster(s) round out the offices and staff that support Residence-Based Advising.
The Role of the RAA in the Living Group
The information provided below should help you understand the important role that you play within your living group.
Be a Role Model for your Community
- Initiate and maintain positive relationships with the students living in your residence hall.
- Be available and visible for residents and participate in the life and activities of your hall.
- Listen attentively to student concerns and questions.
- Treat any conversations with students confidentially. Never discuss students' concerns in public or with your peers - bring questions to your House Teams or SLP, UAAP, or Health Promotion & Wellness staff.
- You must comply with all the policies and procedures of MIT and your living group.
- Create links to information and resources.
- Post flyers and calendars of events occurring on and off campus.
- Be knowledgeable about and refer students to Institute resources and departments, particularly MIT Medical and the Offices of the Deans of Student Life and Undergraduate Education.
Enrich Life and Learning in your House
- Assess needs and interests within your house.
- Initiate, plan, and implement educational/academic, community/social, and health/wellness programs and activities for the residents in your house. You must produce two individual projects/programs each term based upon your assessment of your advising group’s interests and needs. The UAAP provides funding for these programs, so be sure to check-in with your advisor regarding available funds for your group. In addition, you are required to organize eight group projects with your fellow RAAs. Each house decides upon program content in collaboration with their RLA and Advisors/Housefellows.
- Support and participate UAAP, SLP, the Center for Health Promotion and Wellness and/or House Team (i.e. the RLAs, GRTs, Housemasters) programs.
- Collaborate and/or work with and around existing House government programs and initiatives. Also work with GRT's to not over saturate the amount of programs occurring in your residence.
Additional Responsibilities
- Complete and submit all paperwork (i.e. project evaluations, and reimbursement requests) thoroughly and properly. If you need to seek reimbursement for project expenditures, please see Dan Chapman in Room 7-103 for the required paperwork.
- Attend/Assist with orientation programs and events as assigned by your RLA and Dan Chapman in the UAAP. Visibility and participation during orientation is a solid base for developing strong relationships with your advisees and fellow RAA’s.
- Be an active participant in the evaluation and further development of the Resident Associate Advisor and Residence-Based Advising systems.
- Attend and participate in all group/individual meetings and training sessions.
- Fulfill all RAA responsibilities: attend all seminar/traditional meetings, maintain regular contact with your advisees and advisor, distribute weekly information to your advisees, and plan social/academic/health events for your advising group.
Eligibility
As an RAA, you must have and maintain a minimum grade point average of 4.0 and hold full-time undergraduate status for your entire appointment period. You may not be under disciplinary action and may not violate any MIT policies during your RAA appointment. Successful completion of duties is required for continued employment.
Remuneration
You will receive a stipend of $300 per term. Remuneration may affect your financial aid package, so please contact your Financial Aid Officer for further information.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is misunderstood. Although it is important for your advisees to feel that they can confide in you without feeling that their statements will become public knowledge, it is equally important to remember the difference between breaking confidentiality and seeking the benefit of appropriate consultation.
DO NOT share confidential information with friends, other residents, etc. You must always be able to share problem situations and/or seek assistance from your advisor or other staff responsible for RBA. Your first resource is always a Graduate Resident - when in doubt, check with them - they operate under similar confidentiality guidelines and may be able to help you put your information into a larger context. The RLAs, your Housemaster, your Advisor/Housefellow, and UAAP staff can also be vital resources for you.
As an RAA, you need to be sure that your advisees understand that you are obligated to inform a House Team member, if you think the information they share can prevent harm.
Maintain the confidentiality of your residents and is one of the ways that you demonstrate respect for them and reinforce your position as a role model. Imagine what would occur if you took a situation you became aware of and shared this information inappropriately. Maybe you know that it will get back to the individual(s) involved, but maybe you will not. One likely outcome is that word will get around that you told, and that your advisees or fellow residents will be less likely to come to you with future issues, for fear that others will find out about their problem. If you break confidentiality, you run the risk of reducing your effectiveness as a role model and resource in your residence hall.
A Typical Month as an RAA
The following section provides a basic overview of monthly RAA duties.
Hold Monthly Meetings
Please check in with your RLA to get more information about monthly meetings.
Be Available
As an RAA, you will spend a good deal of your time being available and visible in your House by:
- Attending events
- Hanging out
- Engaging other students in activities
- Promoting yourself
- Offering assistance
- Communicating information
BE PROACTIVE: an open door policy is key; offer assistance and information to your advisees and other residents without waiting for specific questions. This includes supporting Housemaster and Graduate Resident efforts.
Complete Program Evaluations
Another RAA responsibility is to submit program evaluations. Completing your program evaluations is important, as it shows RBA staff that you have completed programs properly and provides you with an opportunity to evaluate their success, not only in terms of numbers, but also in terms of quality. Secondly, evaluations provide a chance to really think about your interactions with advisees and to help you provide quality programs that are of interest to them. Check in with your RLA or Dan Chapman for details on program evaluations.
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