Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions page of the Resident Success Assistant application process.  Please look through the questions and answers posted below.  You may find it helpful to use the "find" function (ctrl+f) to search this page for a phrase or key word in your question.  For example, you may want to search the word "deposit" if you have a question about placing your housing deposit for next year.

If you cannot find what you are looking for, please submit your question in an email to Chris Rader

Do I need to pay the $500.00 housing deposit to live on campus for next year even though I am applying for the staff positions?

ANSWER:
You are encouraged to pay the $500.00 housing deposit if you plan on living on campus next year even if you are not selected to be a staff member.  If you do pay the deposit, the $500.00 will be posted to your student account regardless of whether you are an RA/AA or not.  You technically will not lose the deposit.  However, if you do not pay the housing deposit by March 4, 2011, you will not receive the opportunity to participate in the housing lottery.  Even though we will house you next year, you will be placed in a vacancy in University Housing based on availability rather than choice.



What happens if I am not selected to be a staff member?  How do I maintain my application with the Office of Residential Life?

ANSWER:
The Office of Residential Life performs our initial selection and placement process right after Spring Break.  If you are not selected at that time, we will maintain your application as "active" until the due date of the application for next year (2013).  We refer back to active files quite frequently throughout the course of the year.  The staff changes for a number of reasons, and we may need to fill a vacancy at any given time. 



What do I have to do to make sure I am placed where I want to be placed?

ANSWER:
The applicant is asked on the application and in the individual interview where they feel they would do their best as an RSA.  We do take all responses to heart when compiling a student staff, however your success and the benefit of your assigned community is our number one priority.  After lengthy discussion and evaluation, the Office of Residential Life will offer you a position in the area we feel will be the best fit. 



Can I apply for a student staff position if I am an athlete?

ANSWER:
Of course!  The Office of Residential Life is always looking to appoint students to our staff who bring a diverse level of leadership experience to our "team."  We expect you maintain a high level of communication with your RHD (supervisor) regarding all of your time commitments.  Without prior knowledge of your challenging or busy times, your supervisor may not be able to support you, encouraging you to succeed in the RSA position.



How do I receive my stipend for the position?

ANSWER:
All residential life student staff stipends are posted prior to the start of the semester you will be working with the Office of Residential Life.  The stipend is posted as a part of your financial aid package, and must be used toward your balance.  If you have any questions regarding a balance due or owed on your student accounts, please contact the Student Accounts Office at 203-371-7925.



Will the stipend for the position impact my financial aid package?

ANSWER:
Each student's scenario is very individualized regarding their financial aid package.  Please direct any inquiries regarding the impact of the student staff positions on your financial aid package to the Financial Assistance Office at 203-371-7980.



Can I still maintain my work study position while maintaining a RSA position?

ANSWER:
The only factor that will alter your ability to maintain your work study position may be whether you are awarded work study again with the added financial aid of the RSA position. 



Can I still keep my off campus job?

ANSWER:
Being an RSA is a big time commitment.  While working with the Office of Residential Life, we will support you and your employment in an off campus employment scenario.  You are expected to maintain open communication with your supervisor regarding your time commitments, ensuring that you still have ample time to perform well as a RSA while maintaining the minimum academic requirements.



Can I live with my friends?

ANSWER:
As a RSA, you will be given the opportunity to select who you live with, provided that they are of the same class standing as the students living in your area.  Below is some information regarding your room/apartment mates.  If you are placed in Merton, Seton, or Roncalli Hall, you will not be brining in room/apartment/suite mates due to the single status of the room, and the corridor layout of the building.

Building	Occupancy of Room	Number of Total People in Suite or Apartment	Class Standing of room/apartmentmates.
Thomas Merton Hall	Single	N/A	N/A
Elizabeth Ann Seton Hall	Single	N/A	N/A
Angelo Roncalli Hall	Single	N/A	N/A
Christian Witness Commons	Single	11	Sophomore
Scholars Commons	Double	7-8	Sophomore
Oakwood	Double	2-4	Junior/Senior
Parkridge Apartments and Townhouses	Double	2-8	Junior/Senior
Taft Commons	Double	6	Junior/Senior

What is the time committment for the RSA position throughout the semester?

ANSWER:
Throughout the duration of the year, it is difficult to define a consistent time commettment for each position.  Different portions of the semester bring a variety of expectations of the staff members on different levels.  You can expect some responsibilities to be very regular, including weekly staff meetings, one-on-one meetings, and scheduled duty nights.  The rest of your time depends on what time of year it is.  The weekly changes in what occurs through out the course of the semester dictates the amount of time you will be spending with the RSA position.  Programming, while not consistent, does take up some time, however this portion of the position is up to you to schedule.  As you continue through the process please continue to discuss this with current residential life staff members and the RHD staff.



Can I still apply even though my GPA is under the 2.5 minimum requirement?

ANSWER:
Yes, you can still apply.  However, we will not offer the position to you until you pull both your semester and cumulative GPA above the 2.5 minimum.  Although the Summer Sessions often help with your overall GPA, your summer success will not count as a semester GPA.  The academic work load and overall experience over the summer is quite different than the acadmic semesters.  It is the department's desire to encourage you to succeed academically as you are taking on this amazing leadership experience.



What does "active judicial sanction" mean?

ANSWER:
When a documented incident occurs on campus, you begin the judicial process.  During this time, you will meet with a University Judicial Officer who will explain the process, and discuss the individual situation you were documented in.  As an outcome of this meeting, the Judicial Officer may find you "responsible" for the situation you were present for.  Therefore, you will be "sanctioned" in accordance to the University Judicial Process.  A portion of a sanction may include a probationary status as you continue your experience at Sacred Heart.  Being found responsible for an incident on campus does not automatically remove you from consideration to be a residential life student staff member.  It is important that you are not currently under any probationary status at the time of staff placement and/or selection. 
***If you have any questions regarding your judicial history and your ability to be considered for a residential life student staff member position, please contact Chris Rader at 203-416-3417 to set up an appointment to discuss your candidacy.