Applicant increase may change RA selection proces
Sutherland hall director says 31 applications have been turned in for five RA positions
Nathaniel Shuda
Issue date: 2/15/06 Section: Campus News
A possible increase in the number of students applying for RA positions could result in a foreseeable change to the application process, UW-Eau Claire housing officials said.
Associate Director of Housing & Residence Life Deb Newman said that, though no changes have been made, housing officials are looking at the possibility of altering the RA application process depending on the number of applicants.
"If we have a very large number of candidates in a certain hall, it is possible that we might institute changes," Newman said.
Applications for fall 2006 were due Monday, and officials do not yet have the number of students who applied, however in the past there have typically been four applicants to each position, according to housing records.
After receiving the applications, hall directors forward them to the housing office, which begins a paper screening process.
All applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA for both the previous semester and overall cumulative, however those who don't may request an exception if their cumulative GPA is higher than 2.5, Newman said.
"We still hold those academic standards to be key," she said, adding that applicants also have to have lived in the residence halls for at least one semester.
Those that qualify then move on to a series of interviews conducted by a committee made up of the hall director, an RA and three students.
The students usually include a hall council member, one United Hall Council representative or one student-at-large and another student-at-large, Newman said.
Sutherland Hall Director Kirby Harless said a second round of elimination placed between the group and the individual interviews would help members of the selection committees make decisions.
Right now, he said, he has a total of 31 applicants competing for five positions, with 20 women vying for the two female positions and 11 men for the three male positions, which is "definitely the most people I've had apply."
Associate Director of Housing & Residence Life Deb Newman said that, though no changes have been made, housing officials are looking at the possibility of altering the RA application process depending on the number of applicants.
"If we have a very large number of candidates in a certain hall, it is possible that we might institute changes," Newman said.
Applications for fall 2006 were due Monday, and officials do not yet have the number of students who applied, however in the past there have typically been four applicants to each position, according to housing records.
After receiving the applications, hall directors forward them to the housing office, which begins a paper screening process.
All applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA for both the previous semester and overall cumulative, however those who don't may request an exception if their cumulative GPA is higher than 2.5, Newman said.
"We still hold those academic standards to be key," she said, adding that applicants also have to have lived in the residence halls for at least one semester.
Those that qualify then move on to a series of interviews conducted by a committee made up of the hall director, an RA and three students.
The students usually include a hall council member, one United Hall Council representative or one student-at-large and another student-at-large, Newman said.
Sutherland Hall Director Kirby Harless said a second round of elimination placed between the group and the individual interviews would help members of the selection committees make decisions.
Right now, he said, he has a total of 31 applicants competing for five positions, with 20 women vying for the two female positions and 11 men for the three male positions, which is "definitely the most people I've had apply."