INFORMATION FOR NEW CANDIDATES (If you’ve never applied before)

There are 6 UHD Info Meetings. Choose ONE that you would like to attend. Please make sure to register for your session via BeInvolved.

Virtual options:

• Tuesday, October 8, 2024 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

  • Click here to register for Session #1
  • Click here to access the virtual link

• Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

  • Click here to register for Session #2
  • Click here to access the virtual link

• Friday, October 11, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. – Noon

  • Click here to register for Session #3
  • Click here to access the virtual link

In-Person opinions (Frederikson Hall, C-Section Conference Room)

• Thursday, October 17, 2024 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

  • Click here to register for Session #4

• Friday, October 18, 2024 from Noon – 1:00 p.m.

  • Click here to register for Session #5

• Monday, October 21, 2024 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

  • Click here to register for Session #6

You must attend one of these. Returning applicants should schedule a meeting with Alexis Plater.

Attendance is mandatory to apply and participate in the selection process. (Yes, there is a question on the application about if you attended a session or not.)

Contact Alexis Plater no later than October 31 if you are unable to make a scheduled time.

• Info meetings (See details under HD info meetings)

• Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 8:00 p.m.: Undergraduate HD applications available in eRezLife

• Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.: Application Deadline

• Friday, November 8, 2024: Interview Notifications sent out

• Friday, November 22, 2024: Reference Forms Due

• Saturday, November 23 – Sunday, December 1, 2024: Thanksgiving Break

• Wednesday, December 18, 2024: Selection Decisions Sent Out

• December 20, 2024 – January 1, 2025: JMU Closed for Winter Break

Whether you accept or decline your position offer, you must inform the Office of Residence Life no later than Friday, January 24, 2025

• January 2025: Interviewer Training for new and current HDs

• 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

• Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.: Staff Kick Off! in Festival

• Saturday, July 26, 2025: HD Move in for Fall 2024

• Leadership skills

• Supervisory skills

• Building management

• Communication

• Organization/Administration

Supervising hall staff, communicating in-person and electronically with students, campus partners, and the Office of Residence Life, management of facilities and administrative tasks, and building community within the hall through educational programming.

No, Undergraduate Hall Directors are not on duty and do not serve on-call for Residence Life. However, UHDs are required to ensure that duty is staffed every night.

UHDs are required to work 15 hours per week. Work hours are flexible depending on academic/personal schedule.

Yes! It is highly encouraged that anyone who wants to be an Undergraduate Hall Director also apply to be a Resident Adviser. During UHD Selection, Residence Life will decide which position you are deemed most qualified for and offer accordingly.

Yes, all UHDs who would like to return to the position must reapply for the position. This consists of a meeting with the Assistant Director of Staff Selection and Training, a written application in eRezLife, and an interview with an Area Director or the Associate Director of Community Development.

Yes, the GPA Requirement is a 2.7 cumulative.

Yes. On the application, list your three references (name, email, phone number)

One of your references MUST be from a current supervisor.

Your other two references can be anyone who can provide information about your work ethic, personal character, and level of potential success as a UHD.

Suggestions for references are current or former employers/supervisors, professors, advisors, coaches, high school teachers, or a Resident Adviser, Hall Director, or Area Director.

Advice: Always check with individuals BEFORE listing them as a reference. Explain that you are applying for a UHD position for next year and ask if they are comfortable providing a positive reference for you. Please provide them with the deadline for the reference as well.

When you apply, your references will receive an automatic message from eRezLife with a unique link to their reference form. Your reference will thoroughly answer the reference questions and then submit their reference.

First-year students can apply to be a UHD in their second year at JMU.

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 a UHD.

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 a current Hall Director about their experience in the job, preferably an Undergraduate Hall Director.

Find out what it looks like on a “normal” day or week.

Read through the position description available on eRezLife or from a UHD.

Think about the different responsibilities and tasks and imagine yourself in the UHD role…what will that look like, how will YOU do the job?

All disciplinary records will be reviewed as part of the selection process. It is still possible to be a UHD with a strike.

The most important thing is to be upfront with the Assistant Director of Staff Selection and Training and/or your interviewer. Think about your specific situation and how it may impact your ability to be a UHD.

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.

• Free, furnished apartment on campus

• Salary:

  • 1st year: $6,480

  • 2nd year: $6,804

• Laundry stipend: $100 per semester

  • *Laundry Stipend cannot be used for University Cleaners.

• Limited reserved parking

If you intend to live on campus for 2025-2026, that contract process will open on October 1, 2024.

UHDs must complete a Live on Again contract for 2025-26 when hired.

If you intend to live on campus only if you become a UHD, you should wait until selection decisions are finalized before signing a Live on Again contract, as that contract is binding.

No, all Hall Director placements are decided by the Area Directors and Associate Director of Community Development based on current performance (if available), staff dynamics, application information, and supervision preferences. This typically occurs in early to mid-April.

Medical information should be on file with the university (Office of Disability Services) as soon as possible in order to prevent complications with Hall Director Placement.

You and your physician will need to complete this form. A campus committee will determine the required accommodations.

Yes! All Hall Director apartments have A/C regardless of the rest of the building's status.

Residence Life’s Animal Policy applies to both hall staff and residents. Pets other than fish are not permitted. Assistance Animals must be approved and documented by the Office of Disability Services and Residence Life.

No, UHDs are only allowed to live with their married spouse.

Hall Directors begin training on July 27, 2025, and train daily until RAs move in on August 5, 2025.

Hall Directors attend training with their RAs 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.

HD training provides a multitude of opportunities to practice skills learned throughout the week.