There are approximately 160 undergraduate and graduate Resident Advisors (RAs) living and working within USC's residence halls. RAs are an integral part of the Office for Residential Education, responsible for the development of a supportive, safe, and welcoming community. This involves helping to create a climate that is conducive to academic achievement, good scholarship and intellectual stimulation. This further includes promoting integration of social, recreational, cultural and intellectual activities, which encourages the personal growth and development of residents.
RAs are responsible for designing and implementing programs for residents in the areas of community service, academic and career oriented activities, community development, diversity and the arts. RAs support personal growth and the residents’ roles as active citizens. RAs are available to counsel and advise residents, assist with roommate conflicts, help uphold the standards of the residential community, support resident student governments and assist in resolving students in crisis and emergency situations.
USC students who are interested in becoming an RA can find more information at the Office for Residential Education Employment website.
Graduate student Residence Coordinators (RCs) are responsible for the development of a supportive learning environment within an assigned residential community (residential college, large apartment complex or combined smaller apartment buildings). Their overall responsibility is to facilitate individual student’s academic excellence and personal growth. As a result, Residence Coordinators play a significant role in furthering the mission of the University of Southern California, the strategic initiatives of the Division of Student Affairs and the mission and core values of the Office for Residential Education. RCs supervise and serve as role models for RAs and other paraprofessional staff.
RCs develop an academic residential community by utilizing a Resident Advisor staff team, building or area government and residential and/or non-residential faculty to develop an environment conducive to studying and social interaction. In addition, RCs make contact with individual residents, adjudicate student behavior, mediate student conflicts and work to solve problems between residents, encourage and develop student’s leadership skills, and assist in the planning and execution of student activities and programs.
As full-time professional staff, Assistant Directors (ADs) are responsible for the development of a supportive learning environment within their assigned residential community (East Area, West Area, North Area, South Area, or Parkside Area). Their overall responsibility is to facilitate individual students’ academic excellence and personal growth. Assistant Directors serve as role models to graduate and paraprofessional staff, as well as residents. Assistant Directors serve as adjudication officers for the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards (SJACS). Assistant Directors act as the lead professional Student Affairs staff available at USC during non-business hours, and so respond to concerns for students both within and outside of university-owned housing.
In conjunction with Residential Faculty, and with participation from Faculty/Staff Mentors, ADs oversee the programming within their area with a focus toward creating opportunities for intellectual stimulation. In conjunction with the efforts of the residents, staff, and residential government, ADs oversee the implementation of programs that support student learning consistent with the core values of community, diversity, scholarship, citizenship, and personal growth. In addition, ADs support the development of effective residential student governments to assure a forum for student leadership development, foster and maintain area-wide programs which support the creation of unique identities for their area, create a safe and welcoming community for all students, and promote use of the S.P.E.A.K. U.P. (Bias Protocol) to address any inappropriate and disrespectful behavior.
