The student staff position is a unique leadership opportunity for students to learn about themselves and grow as leaders while at the same time performing job functions which fulfill the mission of Lafayette College. Student staff members are eager to help you in making your residence hall a comfortable place to live that enhances your educational experiences and contributes to your overall success and enjoyment at Lafayette.
Resident Advisors (RAs) are student staff members in the Office of Residence life charged with fostering relationships among and delivering services to an assigned community of residents. Resident Advisors work cooperatively with other residence hall and College staff to promote a welcoming environment that is conducive to learning and developing personal connections. The job of the RA combines many roles: information resource, activities organizer, liaison to the Office of Residence Life, adviser, and friend. An RA is ‘on duty’ nightly from 10 p.m. – 7 a.m. in designated areas of campus. The duty RA conducts periodic building rounds, connects with residents, responds to emergencies, reports problems, and answer questions.
Head Residents (HRs) oversee a residential area and supervise the RAs in those communities. The HR serves as a resource and referral person for all the residents of his or her area. The HR coordinates, supervises, and/or completes various administrative tasks and assists with various office projects throughout the year. Head Residents are juniors or seniors who have previous RA experience.
The Office of Residence Life seeks candidates for student staff positions on a yearly basis. The selection process opens each year in January.