Working at Northwestern
Recognized both nationally and internationally for the quality of its educational programs at all levels, Northwestern University is a private institution founded in 1851. NU enrolls over 8,000 undergraduate and over 8,000 graduate students. The University has two campuses located on Lake Michigan: a 240-acre campus in Evanston, the first suburb north of Chicago, and a 25-acre campus in Chicago. Northwestern also has a campus in Education City, Doha. Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) offers undergraduate degree programs in communication and journalism.
Northwestern combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment that transcends traditional academic boundaries. It has distinguished itself by encouraging innovation and integrating experiences across fields. Northwestern provides students, faculty, and staff exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth in a setting enhanced by the richness of Chicago.
Northwestern’s Residential Services program serves nearly 4,000 undergraduates and nearly 650 graduate students in more than 30 residence halls, residential colleges, and residential communities. Visit front page for more information about the department’s mission and operations.
Residential Services is in the midst of a renewal. We have completed the first few years of a 10 year, $500 million facility master plan. This past year we opened 560 Lincoln, a brand new 422 bed residence hall and our first new facility since 2002. In January, we reopened historic Willard Residential College after an 18 month renovation. Recommendations from the Undergraduate Residential Experience Committee about creating a single residential model were recently released and input is being collected from around campus regarding next steps.
More Helpful Information
About Northwestern and Our Students
About Residential Services
About the Division of Student Affairs
Helpful links about Northwestern
Helpful links about Evanston and Chicago
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the Resident Director position?
The RD is a 12 month, full time, benefits eligible, exempt position that starts at $47,476 per year.
What is the compensation for the Assistant Resident Director and Graduate Assistant positions?
ARD and GAs serve in 11 month appointments from August through June and work an average of 20 hours per week. ARDs and GAs each receive a $1,000 stipend per month, on-campus apartment, and a partial meal plan. ARDs and GAs are classified as temporary employees and are not benefits eligible.
ARDs are required to live on campus. GAs may choose to live off campus, but do not receive additional compensation in place of the apartment.
What are the staff apartments like?
- Resident Directors reside in 1-2 bedroom units.
- Many include an in-unit washer and dryer and dishwasher.
- ARDs and GAs reside in 1 bedroom apartments with full kitchens.
- All apartments are partially furnished.
- Campus residents have free access to laundry facilities
What about meal plans and parking?
- To facilitate interaction between staff, their RAs, and residents, RDs and ARDs receive full meal plans.
- GAs receive partial meal plans.
- Staff parking passes may be purchased through payroll deduction for approximately $45 per month.
- Professional development funding is offered for RDs, ARDs, and GAs.
What is your live-in partner policy?
Professional staff member apartments afford the opportunity for legally recognized spouses/partners and/or legal dependents, or individuals in a committed relationship, to live with them in Northwestern owned or controlled housing. Other occupants will be considered on a case-to-case basis. Occupancy cannot exceed two (2) people per bedroom.
Other occupants will need to successfully complete a background check performed by Northwestern University. All apartment occupants must pass a background check before being permitted to live in a staff apartment.
What is your pet policy?
Staff are permitted to have fish, one cat or one dog, subject to weight and breed restrictions.