About the Department

1. What is University Residential Life (URL)?
2. What is an Area Coordinator (AC)?
3. What is a Residence Hall Coordinator (RHC)?
4. What is a Senior Community Assistant (SCA)?
5. In which residential communities can I work?

About the CA Position

1. What are the benefits of the Community Assistant position?
2. What's the best way to learn about the CA position?
3. How will the CA position affect the financial aid that I receive?
4. What is "duty" and how often will I do it?
5. What is involved in the daily and weekly duties of a CA?
6. How much time should a CA spend in his/her building?
7. How do CAs address the seemingly conflicting roles of friend and agent of the University (e.g., confronting and reporting violations of University policy)?
8. Can CAs participate in non-academic activities outside of the CA position?

About the Selection Process

1. Who is eligible for the CA position?
2. I will not be on campus during the winter and/or spring quarter(s). Can I still apply to be a CA for the 2010-2011 academic year?
3. I will be abroad next year, can I apply now for a CA position for 2011-12?
4. What is a "group process interview"?
5. What is a "one-on-one interview"?
6. If I do not currently live in a residence hall or college, can someone other than a CA complete the CA feedback form?
7. Who should complete the CA candidate reference form?

After the Selection Process

1. If I am not selected for a CA position, can I get feedback on my application and interview(s)?
2. After URL's winter selection process is complete, how will I know if Residential Life has any Community Assistant vacancies?
3. How do I get assigned to a staff?
4. Can my CA room or building assignment change?
5. What kind of training will CAs receive?
6. I will not be on campus in the spring quarter. Can I still participate in spring CA orientation?

About the Department

1. What is University Residential Life (URL)?

   URL is a department within the division of student affairs. Our vision is "Engage and Educate: Creating communities of learners, leaders, and responsible citizens." We develop student leaders (e.g., CAs, hall government officers); provide educational opportunities (e.g., safety education, community standards, student development firesides); support students who are in crisis or facing emergency situations; and meet with students who violate University policies.

2. What is an Area Coordinator (AC)?

   Each of the seven areas in Residential Life is led by an AC who is a full-time professional staff member who lives on campus and supervises student staff. Most ACs have a masters degree in higher education administration, counseling, or a related field. ACs are highly skilled in such areas as leadership development, counseling and referral, community development, and resident education.

3. What is a Residence Hall Coordinator (RHC)?

   An RHC is a returning staff member and/or a graduate student. Reporting directly to an AC, the RHC supervises, leads, mentors, and evaluates CAs on his/her staff. An RHC does not work directly with residents but frequently advises one or more hall governments.

4. What is a Senior Community Assistant (SCA)?

   An SCA is a returning staff member and/or graduate student who shares the same duties as other CAs on staff but has additional responsibilities and leadership roles. As an assistant to the AC, SCAs duties may include completing reports, monitoring staff progress on team assignments, and acting as a peer resource and confidant to CAs on his/her staff.

5. In which residential communities can I work?

   Returning CAs get first choice as to which communities they would like to work in for their second or third year as a CA. All new CAs are selected based on the communities preferences they indicate in their application. Applicants may select location (north or south), size of community (small, medium or large), residential college or residence hall, and building type (freshman, upperclass, mixed class, female, male or special interest). Whenever possible URL considers preferences when making hiring and placement decisions however, departmental needs are placed before candidate preferences. The building types described below are subject to change without notice based on the needs of the undergraduate housing office.

   There are seven residential areas under the supervision of an area coordinator (AC). Below is a description of each area and the residential community types within the area.

South Campus

• WASH (Willard and Small Houses): Located on south campus, the WASH area includes seven residential communities: two coed residential colleges, Willard and Chapin; one all-female residential college (RC), Hobart/Women's RC; two mid-size coed residence halls (SMQ and NMQ); and two mixed-class special interest halls (720 Emerson-SAI music sorority and 626 Emerson-PMA music fraternity). A team of 14 CAs and two Senior CAs network with seven hall governments and approximately 650 residents.
• IPACS (International Studies RC, Public Affairs RC, Allison, Communications RC, and Shepard RC): Eighteen CAs and two Residence Hall Coordinators (RHC) work together to assist almost 800 residents living in five south campus residential communities. Each community is coed and mixed class and includes one large residence hall (Allison) and four mid-size residential colleges (International Studies, Communications, Public Affairs, and Shepard). The CAs of ISRC/CRC and PARC/Shepard each report to a RHC.
• Foster Walker: The 15 CAs and one Senior CA work with nearly 600 mostly upperclass students to develop the coed residential community. The Foster Walker area is also home to one special interest housing area, the interfaith living learning community, and one small house, Seabury Western which is located about two blocks north of Foster Walker.

North and South Campus

• S1NRJ (Sargent, 1835 Hinman, North Residential Colleges, and Jones): S1NRJ (pronounced "synergy") includes six coed, mixed-class north and south campus residential communities with 19 CAs and one Residence Hall Coordinator (RHC) serving nearly 850 students. North campus communities include one mid-size residence hall (Sargent Hall), two mid-size residential colleges (Ayers College of Commerce and Industry and Slivka Science and Engineering) and one small residential college (Cultural and Community Studies). South campus communities include one mid-size residence hall (1835 Hinman) and one mid-size residential college (Jones Fine and Performing Arts). The CAs of 1835 Hinman and Jones RC report to a RHC.

North Campus

• Bobb McCulloch: The 12 CAs and one Senior CA work with nearly 490 residents to maintain a strong sense of community in the largest, coed, mixed class residence hall on north campus.
• FQ (Freshman Quad): Home to 365 first-year students, the 15 CAs, and two Senior CAs work with residents in one large residence hall (Elder) and two small houses known as Hinman-Lincoln (600 Lincoln and Hinman House/610 Lincoln).
• KASH (Kemper and Small Houses): A team of eight CAs and one Senior CA work with six north campus residential communities. The KASH area includes 355 residents living in an upperclass only, mid-size residence hall (Kemper), one all-male small house (Foster House); three upperclass only, coed small houses (Goodrich House, Lindgren House, 584 Lincoln) and one coed, special interest community (2251 Sheridan/GREEN House). The GREEN House (Group Residence for Environmental Engagement at Northwestern) is an environmentally-themed living community.

About the CA Position

1. What are the benefits of the Community Assistant position?

CAs compensation includes a single room in their assigned residential community, board (sixteen-meal plan), and phone and voice mail service during the academic year. More importantly, CAs have the opportunity to help fellow students and contribute to the life of their residential community. CAs are challenged and supported in many ways that elude other student positions on campus. CAs learn and practice dozens of transferable skills that prepare them for future workplaces. CAs receive extensive training in community development; event planning and implementation; emotional and cultural intelligence; active listening; safety procedures and emergency response protocols; and University resources and referral strategies.

2. What is the best way to learn about the CA position?

We highly encourage you to attend an information session (LINK TO OUR SITE). Another way to learn about the position is to talk with current CAs (LINK TO OUR SITE). Don't just talk to one CA. Talk to CAs who work on different parts of campus. You will find that the CA experience varies depending on where the CA is assigned.

3. How will the CA position impact my financial aid?

The Undergraduate Financial Aid website addresses this question. To consult with a professional regarding your specific aid package contact Angela Yang at the Financial Aid Office. She is the liaison to University Residential Life and will be able to answer your questions more specifically. You can refer to a handout addressing commonly asked questions regarding the CA position and financial aid.

4. What is "duty" and how often will I do it?

   At the beginning of each quarter you will receive a schedule of duty rotation in which you will be on duty about once a week depending on the size of your staff. Being "on duty" means that you are the contact person for residents in your area from 8 pm to 8 am. At least two to three times throughout the evening you conduct a safety and security round of your building(s). This involves walking every floor of every building in your area and talking with residents. You will carry a duty cell phone and, when you are not conducting a duty round, you are expected to stay in your room and/or building in order to be available to residents. While it sounds like a lot of work, it's actually a great time to visit with residents and get to know folks.

5. What is involved in the daily and weekly duties of a CA?

Most days a CA may spend an hour or two visiting with residents, attending hall social or educational events, having meals with residents, and planning or implementing social activities. Each week you will have a staff meeting and a one-on-one meeting with your supervisor. CAs generally spend about one hour daily filing online communication or maintenance requests, reading email messages from staff and residents, and following up on routine requests for information from your supervisor(s) and residents. CAs are responsible for creating a schedule that enables them to successfully complete academic obligations, interact with residents and staff, as well as maintain relationships outside the job and attend to personal wellness needs.

6. How much time should a CA spend in his/her building?

CAs are expected to be in their room/residential community and available to residents a minimum of four nights a week with one of those nights a Friday or Saturday.

7. How do CAs address the seemingly conflicting roles of friend and agent of the University (e.g., confronting and reporting violations of University policy)?

Anyone who has been a CA will tell you that this is one of most difficult aspects of the position. This is largely a question of personal style. CAs should treat their residents with respect and expect the same from them. CAs should feel comfortable confronting and reporting peers who violated University policies. Northwestern's policies are based on concern for the health and safety of individuals and the community as a whole. As a CA, your actions (e.g., mediation, confrontation, documentation and referral) are simply a result of the improper behavior of residents. Your role in helping residents understand how their behavior affects the community cannot be underestimated.

8. Can CAs participate in nonacademic activities outside of the CA position?

CAs may participate in nonacademic activities providing they do not interfere with the successfully completing the CA position. CAs are expected to limit their involvement to those activities to no more than ten hours per week and must have the activities approved by their supervisor. First year CAs cannot have any major time commitments during their first quarter as a CA. After the first quarter, your supervisor will review requests for additional time commitments on a case-by-case basis.

About the Selection Process

1. Who is eligible for the CA position?

Northwestern undergraduate and graduate students who will be enrolled fulltime for the entire 2010-2011 academic year. Applicants must have a quarterly and overall GPA of 2.50 or higher and must be willing to limit their time commitments beyond the CA job to a maximum of ten hours per week.

2. I will not be on campus during the winter and/or spring quarter(s). Can I still apply to be a CA for the 2010-11 academic year?

Yes, you will need to complete and submit all of your application materials by December 7, 2009 and register for a campus interview with an Area Coordinator(s) before you go home for winter break. If we are unable to schedule a personal interview with you, we will conduct a phone interview with you. Video submissions will not be submitted until January 13, 2010.

3. I will be abroad next year, can I apply now for a CA position for 2011-12?

Yes, you will need to complete the 2010-11 application and participate in the entire interview process during the winter quarter, 2010. URL will defer making a decision on your application until winter quarter 2011, at which time you will receive e-mail notification of our decision. If you decide to withdraw your application at any time, it is your responsibility to notify us in writing via e-mail of your intent. It is important that you also e-mail Residential Life in December 2010 to confirm with us your continued interest in a CA position. If you are selected for a CA position, you will be expected to participate in a distance learning version of the spring CA orientation activities.

4. What is a "group process interview"?

A group process interview is an experiential interview involving about seven CA candidates. Candidates participate in a series of exercises that challenge them to think creatively, demonstrate an ability to work with others, and share knowledge of campus life and University resources. Group process interviews will be held on Thursday evening (Feb. 4), Friday afternoon (Feb. 5), Saturday afternoon (Feb. 6) and Sunday afternoon (Feb. 7). CA candidates will register online for one of these interview days after the application submission deadline has passed.

5. What is a "one-on-one interview"?

During group process interviews, each candidate will receive one 30-minute interview with a URL professional staff member. This is the only interview each candidate will receive. Like a traditional job interview, the URL staff member will ask a series of questions related to the CA position. You will want to be well prepared for this interview. All candidates will receive an invitation to participate in a 90-minute interview skills workshop in late January. The workshop is optional but highly recommended.

6. If I do not currently live in a residence hall or college, can someone other than a CA complete the CA feedback form?

Any current or past CA may complete the form for you. If you cannot reach the person who was your CA when you lived on campus, you may ask any current CA to complete your form. If you do not know any current hall staff, you may contact a CA and ask him or her to interview you for the purpose of completing the feedback form. If you need additional advice, contact Residential Life.

7. Who should complete the CA candidate reference form?

We encourage you to ask current or former employers, NU faculty members, or others who have supervised you in a volunteer or paid work setting. The reference form may not be completed by any current Northwestern Residential Life staff members, other undergraduate students, or family members.

After the Selection Process

1. If I am not selected for a CA position, can I get feedback on my application and interview performance?

Yes, call 847-491-3541 or e-mail us to schedule an appointment with Virginia Koch, URL's Senior Assistant Director. She will provide you with feedback on your application and interview performance.

2. After URL's winter selection process is complete how will I know if Residential Life has any Community Assistant vacancies?

You can contact Residential Life and inquire about vacancies at any time. Once you have submitted an application and all required documentation, we will contact you when/if you will be considered for a vacancy. Because some staff vacancies must be filled with a CA of a specific gender, we may not be able to consider you for all vacant positions.

3. How do I get assigned to a staff?

Returning CAs get first choice as to which communities they would like to work in for their second or third year as a CA. All new CAs are selected based on the communities preferences they indicate in their application. Applicants may select location (north or south), size of community (small, medium or large), residential college or residence hall, and building type (freshman, upperclass, mixed class, female, male or special interest). Whenever possible URL considers preferences when making hiring and placement decisions, however, departmental needs are placed before candidate preferences.

4. Can my CA room or building assignment change?

Staff cannot request room or building changes. On the other hand, there are rare occasions when our staffing needs change. In the event such changes affect your placement, you will be notified as soon as possible of your placement options.

5. What kind of training will new CAs receive?

New staff training consists of three phases: two pre-service trainings (spring and pre-Wildcat Welcome) and in-service training. During the spring quarter CAs receive an orientation which includes several all-area meetings, completing reading assignments, writing assignments, and attending a CA camp in May. Prior to Wildcat Welcome, CAs will return to campus to attend a pre-service training week. During the academic year, CAs receive in-hall training from their supervisors and attend an all-staff in-service program in mid-January.

6. I will not be on campus in the spring quarter. Can I still participate in spring CA orientation?

Yes. Parts of the spring orientation are facilitated through Blackboard Course Management System. You will participate in a distance learning version of the CA spring activities. We will make special arrangements with you if these arrangements are necessary.