Applications reopen on November 21, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. and
close on January 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Priority Timeline
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Thursday, October 24, 2024: RA Recruitment Fair:
Make the Choice to become an RA in the Festival Ballroom at 6:00 p.m.
Priority RA Application opens during this event - Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.: Priority RA Application opens
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Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.:Priority RA Application closes
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Friday, November 1, 2024: Interview notification sent
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Monday, November 18, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.: Priority Reference Forms due
- Saturday, November 23 – Sunday, December 1, 2024: Thanksgiving Break
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Wednesday, December 18, 2024: Priority RA Selection Decisions Sent Out
- Friday, December 20, 2024 – Wednesday, January 1, 2025: JMU Closed for Winter Break
If you are an RA hired for the Spring 2025 Semester, you must inform the Office of Residence Life no later than Monday, January 6, 2025.
Whether you accept or decline your position offer, you must inform the Office of Residence Life no later than Tuesday, January 24, 2024.
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Sunday, March 9, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Community 101 Sessions
- 7:00 p.m.: Returning RAs
- 8:00 p.m.: New RAs
- Notification of RA Community Sign-Up details
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Tuesday, March 11, 2025: Returning RA Community Sign Up
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Wednesday, March 12, 2025: New RA Community Sign Up
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Monday, March 17 – Friday, March 21, 2025: JMU Spring Break
- Sunday, April 6, 2025: Staff Celebration at 5:00 p.m. in Festival - Details to come
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Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.: Staff Kick Off! in Festival
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Tuesday, August 5, 2025: RA Move In
- Wednesday, August 6, 2025: RA Training Begins
Regular Decision RA Timeline
- Thursday, October 24, 2024: RA Recruitment Fair:
Make the Choice to become an RA in the Festival Ballroom at 6:00 p.m.
Priority RA Application opens during this event -
Thursday, November 21, 2024: Regular RA Application opens
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Saturday, November 23 – Sunday, December 1, 2024: Thanksgiving Break
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Friday, December 20, 2024 – Wednesday, January 1, 2025: JMU Closed for Winter Break
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Thursday, January 30, 2025: Regular RA Application Due by 11:59 p.m.
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Friday, January 31, 2025: Regular RA Interview Notifications sent
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Friday, February 14, 2025: References Due
- Thursday, March 6, 2025: RA Selection Decisions Sent Out
Whether you accept or decline your position offer, you must inform the Office of Residence Life no later than Monday, March 24, 2025.
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Sunday, March 9, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Community 101 Sessions
- 7:00 p.m.: Returning RAs
- 8:00 p.m.: New RAs
- Notification of RA Community Sign-Up details
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Tuesday, March 11, 2025: Returning RA Community Sign Up
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Wednesday, March 12, 2025: New RA Community Sign Up
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Monday, March 17 – Friday, March 21, 2025: JMU Spring Break
- Sunday, April 6, 2025: Staff Celebration at 5:00 p.m. in Festival - Details to come
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Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.: Staff Kick Off! in Festival
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Tuesday, August 5, 2025: RA Move In
- Wednesday, August 6, 2025: RA Training Begins
Important Dates for 2024-2025 Hall Staff
The 2024-2025 period of employment begins Tuesday, August 6th, 2024, and ends on Sunday, May 18th, 2025.
Saturday, July 27th: Mandatory Hall Director Move-In Day
Tuesday, August 6th: Mandatory Resident Adviser Move-In Day (Training also Begins This Day)
Wednesday, August 21st: PYSC 100 Begins for New RAs (More Information Coming in August)
Minimal expectations:
- Fall Break:
- October 16th through October 20th
- Halls do not close for Fall Break
- Time off will need to be approved by Hall Directors
- Thanksgiving Break:
- Stay through Sunday, November 24th
- Return Friday, November 29th
- Winter Break:
- Stay through Sunday, December 15th
- Return Friday, January 17th
- Spring Break:
- Stay through Sunday, March 16th
- Return Saturday, March 22nd
Notes about Dates:
- Resident Advisers may be required to work additional portions of breaks as necessary.
- Specific departure and arrival times for each of the above dates will be at the discretion of the Associate Director of Community Development and the Area Directors. They will be announced before each break.
- ALL dates are subject to change based on changes made to the academic and athletic calendars and Residence Life discretion.
- Please check with your supervisor before scheduling travel arrangements.
RA Frequently Asked Questions
Application/Selection Process
Priority RA Process:
Available October 24, 2024 – October 31, 2024
Regular RA Process:
Available November 21, 2024 – January 30, 2025
Returning RAs are rehired IF they:
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Complete an application
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Provide a positive reference from their current supervisor/Hall Director
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Maintain positive performance evaluations throughout the year
Yes, the GPA Requirement is a 2.3
Yes. On the application, list your two references (name, email, phone number)
If you live on campus, one reference MUST be an RA. When you submit the application, your references will receive an automatic message from eRezLife with a unique link to their reference form. Your reference will answer brief questions and upload a letter at that link.
If you live on campus, your first reference MUST be an RA, usually your own current RA.
Other references can be anyone who will be able to provide information regarding your work ethic, personal character, and level of potential success as an RA.
Suggestions for references are current or former employers/supervisors, professors, advisors, coaches, high school teachers, and another RA.
Advice: Always check with individuals BEFORE listing them as a reference. Explain that you are applying for an RA position for next year, and ask if they are comfortable providing a positive reference for you. Provide them with the deadline for the reference as well.
First-year students can apply to be an RA in their second year.
It is important to take time in your first year to become acclimated to campus and your academics prior to taking on the responsibility of being an RA.
In order to access the application and apply, you must be an enrolled JMU student. If you have been accepted to JMU and have officially committed to attend, you will be able to access the application.
Start by talking with current RAs about their experience in the job. Find out what it looks like on a “normal” day or week. Read through the position description available on eRezLife or from an RA. Think about the different responsibilities and tasks and imagine yourself in the RA role…what will that look like, how will YOU do the job?
Priority RA Process:
November 1, 2024
Regular Process:
January 31, 2025
Priority Process:
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Regular Process:
Thursday, March 6, 2025
All disciplinary records will be reviewed as part of the selection process. It is still possible to be an RA with a strike.
The most important thing is to be upfront with Alexis Plater and/or your interviewer. Think about your specific situation and how it may positively or negatively impact your ability to be an effective RA.
While work experience is important, it is specific skills and attitudes we are looking for…these may have been gained through volunteer activities, clubs, executive positions, etc.
Compensation
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Salary:
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$4,477 for the full year, spread over 19 paychecks
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Returning RAs have a higher salary:
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2nd year: $4,790
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3rd year: $5,125
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Room rent reduction: $2,500 per semester ($5,000 for the academic year)
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Laundry stipend*: $100 per semester ($200 total for the academic year)
- *Laundry Stipend cannot be used for University Cleaners.
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RAs can select any resident meal plan, or the Block 50 commuter plan
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Single room on campus
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A/C in all RA rooms
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Limited RA parking availability
RA Community Sign Up/Housing
If you intend to live on campus for 2025-2026, that contract process will open on October 1, 2024.
RAs must complete a Live on Again contract for 2025-26.
If you intend to live on campus only if you become an RA, you should wait until selection decisions are finalized.
RAs will participate in RA Community Sign-Up in early March.
Based on lottery numbers, RAs can choose from any available community.
Medical information should be on file with the university as soon as possible in order to prevent complications with community sign-up later.
Make sure to complete the Housing Accommodation Process as soon as possible.
Yes! All RA rooms have a/c regardless of the rest of the building's status.
RA rooms are designated to be spread throughout the building, so two RAs would not be assigned in one suite. It is possible to be on the same floor in some buildings or simply in the same building/area with your friends. Often it is best to sign up separately from your best friends. That allows you to have another place to go when you need time away.
Yes, Apartments on Grace is an on-campus residence hall that would still require signing a housing contract. Apartments on Grace RAs must agree to be charged an additional $500 per semester to live in the apartments. Apartments on Grace RAs must still have a meal plan, but have the option of a 50-block plan.
Apartments on Grace RAs have an apartment mate. They can choose that person by May 1st or Housing will assign someone to that space for them.
Training
RAs begin training on August 6, 2025, and train daily until students move in.
Training covers a variety of topics such as team building inclusive community development, programming, confrontation/behavior management, crisis management, and many others.
RA training provides a multitude of opportunities to practice skills learned throughout the week. Ideally, you will learn and practice skills that can be applied in nearly any situation.
Yes! PSYC 100 (Interpersonal Skills for Resident Advisers) is a one-credit academic course that all new RAs take in the first 7 weeks of the fall semester.
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Residence Life will register all new RAs for PSYC 100
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There is not a different PSYC class to substitute for PSYC 100 – This course is ONLY for RAs.
RA Duty
Duty will depend on the number of RAs in your rotation and how many RAs sit duty each night.
Yes, duty night exchanges are worked out with the approval of your Hall Director.
RAs do not have office hours or specific times to be available, but it is recommended that RAs spend as much evening and weekend time in the hall as possible in order to interact with residents during the times they are more likely to be in the residence hall.
