What is an RA?
The RA is an essential part of campus life here at the University of Montana Western whose primary role is to develop a healthy community among residents by providing resources and information, maintaining the safety and well-being of students, and by promoting and implementing programs and events to engage residents outside of class. RAs are responsible as members of the Residence Life staff for upholding and enforcing policies listed in the University of Montana Western Student Housing Handbook. The RA Position is a very collaborative one, and RAs are granted many opportunities to work with various different departments, both on and off campus, to maximize the positive experience that is being a Western Bulldog.
What are the Qualifications to be an RA?
- You must be a student at the University of Montana Western.
- You must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- You must have at least one semester of collegiate on-campus residential living experience.
Meet Our Team!
The RA Experience
“Being an RA has made me feel incredibly overwhelmed at times because it’s tested me in a lot of ways. It’s a big responsibility, but it is also incredibly rewarding. I feel important and seen, but also like I’m able to see others and give those on campus support I otherwise wouldn’t be able to. The servitude connects me to my faith and my purpose to help those around me, which leaves me feeling fulfilled despite the difficulties. – Sonya Mulder ’26
Being an RA makes me feel like a bigger part of the community, I can connect with more students than I ever would have as a regular student, and enjoy being able to connect with such a wide range of people!” – Hunter Pandis ’26
“The most rewarding part of being an RA is when I get residents, whether they are from my floor or not, that compliment a program I have run or maybe Door Decs I made. Reminds me why we do those things, and that I am doing those things right. – Atley Baldwin ’26
One thing about being an RA that feels rewarding to me is knowing that people can rely on me and my team to help them out. If someone comes to me, I know that I can either help them or find someone else to help them. Another thing about being an RA that feels rewarding is being so involved with campus life. I love being able to have a great connection with so many people and get caught up in conversations with different people daily.” – Aliana Anderson ’26
“I chose to become an RA to become more integrated in campus life and to assist others with problems that they might not know how to fix. When I was a resident, the largest resource that I was able to utilize was my RA and I wanted to follow in those footsteps in order to help others that end up in the same situation that I found myself in. I think other people should apply to be RAs if they are looking to help other people on campus with day-to-day questions or activities.” – Tristan Von Bargen ’26
Frequently Asked Questions
Your preference on where you would like to live will be taken into account when working on placement, however your desired placement will not always be accommodatable, and we will place RAs in positions that will highlight their strengths and fit our spacing limitations and staffing needs.
The university will provide the RA with a room in the assigned unit and a 7-Day, Big Dawg board plan.
Yes! You must have at least one semester of on campus college living experience and be a student at the University of Montana Western at the time of applying
Yes, you can still receive financial aid. However, because the compensation is regarded as a scholarship, RA candidates must talk to Financial Aid to determine how this may affect their aid before accepting the RA position.
While you may seek other employment, both on and off campus, you must consult with the Area Coordinator and Assistant Director of Residence Life for permission. RA duties and responsibilities will be seen as first priority and cannot be cancelled, skipped, or rescheduled due to outside employment.
Yes! Because Experience One is a key part of the University of Montana Western experience, we encourage that students take the opportunities that are granted. Specific RA duties must be completed before departure.
Contact
If you have any further questions, please email the Area Coordinator at [email protected] or visit the Area Coordinator Office at the Bulldog Life Office in the Basement of the Student Union Building.