Resident Advisors

Resident advisors (RAs) are student leaders who live on every floor in SPU residence halls and in campus apartments. Important members of a residence hall or apartment, RAs demonstrate a diverse set of skills, including sensitivity, self-discipline, and integrity.

  • About 40 SPU resident advisors are chosen during Spring Quarter each year.
  • RAs receive a scholarship equal to the cost of their room and board. 
  • RAs living in residence halls reside in designated rooms but do not have roommates. The RAs who live in SPU apartments can have a roommate, but it’s not required.

Check out this video highlighting a few of the small, meaningful moments in the lives of our SPU RAs.

Ongoing support and training

  • After being chosen during Spring Quarter, RAs engage in two training workshops during Spring Quarter.
  • In the fall, RAs arrive on campus for training during the second, third, and fourth weeks of September.
  •  After September, RAs participate in an Autumn Quarter class.
  • RAs meet weekly with their building/area staff team.
  • They also meet regularly for one-on-one supervision and support with their supervising residence life coordinator (RLC) or area coordinator (AC).

Applying to become an RA

To be considered for the RA position, you must:

  • Have a commitment to Christian faith and values.
  • Have at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA.
  • Be a full-time student (at least 12 credits per quarter) and plan to be enrolled for the upcoming academic year.
  • Participate in RA training without any other outside commitments during that time. 
  • Complete a Resident Advisor application, and the two required RA references. (Deadline is Monday, Jan. 27.)

Additional preferred qualifications

  • Junior or senior status at the time of employment.

RA application

To apply to be a resident advisor:

Applications are due by Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. 

Questions?

Please join us for an RA info night on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 7–8 p.m. in the Arnett Hall Lounge!

Learn more on this page of RA Frequently Asked Questions. Or contact BeAnRA@spu.edu for more information.

SPU students on campus

Effective RAs demonstrate:

  • Sensitivity: An awareness of and respect for the feelings and ideas of others.
  • Integrity: An honest and forthright attitude about oneself and one’s responsibilities.
  • Genuineness: Trustworthiness, consistency, and honesty in relationships, demonstrating to students that they will be treated fairly.
  • Flexibility: An ability to adapt gracefully to a variety of situations and personalities.
  • Commitment: A willingness to invest time, skills, and passion in this work.
  • Teachability: A willingness to learn new behaviors and information essential to RA responsibilities.
  • Self-discipline: The ability to manage one's own life and responsibilities, remaining reliable with respect to commitments and responsibilities.
  • Respect for authority: The willingness to act as an agent of the University, working cooperatively with the appropriate supervisory authority.