Applications for resident assistants for the 2015-2016 academic year are now available through University Housing & Dining Services.

The deadline for the application is 4 p.m. Jan. 16, 2015.

Chad Franks, the publicity promotions specialist for University Apartments Operations, said the resident assistant is a student peer leader responsible for a community in university housing.

The resident assistant position provides real-life experiences including working and helping others, conflict resolution and team building.

Franks said the resident assistant is a “premiere leadership experience” and one of the more challenging student leadership positions at Eastern.

Resident assistants also receive full room and board, which includes a 15-plus meal plan and a stipend of $70 biweekly. The resident assistant position runs from August to May.

In order to qualify for the position, resident assistant candidates must be a full-time Eastern student during the spring semester, carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours, have at least 24 undergraduate credit hours by the start of Fall 2015 semester, have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 by the end of the fall semester, have lived in university housing for two semesters prior to term of employment, and be in good judicial standing with the university.

Students who wish to drop below the 12 credit hour minimum, or exceed the 18 credit hour maximum must receive prior approval from the associate housing director.

Those wishing to be a resident assistant must also keep in mind the position requires them not to seek employment outside of being a resident assistant.

The guidelines for applying state that “an RA is expected to develop positive relationships with his/her residents, address student needs and establish a welcoming sense of community on his/her assigned floor. In order to achieve this, an RA is expected to spend a majority of his/her time on the floor that he/she is assigned.”

Resident assistant candidates are also required not to pledge to any social organization including fraternities and sororities, unless prior permission is granted.

It is also recommended that resident assistants have the position for the entire academic year, not just one semester.

A full list of the guidelines can be found on the Housing & Dining Services’ website.

The staff of The Daily Eastern News can be reached at 581-2812 or dennewsdesk@gmail.com.