Student Hall Coordinator Position Description 2008-2009

Applications and Reference forms are available at the bottom.

The Student Hall Coordinator (SHC) position is a developmental program for student leaders.  SHC positions are open to students who are in good academic standing; prior Resident Assistant or Junior Counselor experience is preferred.  The Student Staff program is considered to be an integral part of the Residence Life Office.  Individuals selected to be SHCs possess strong leadership skills and a commitment to student life at St. Olaf.

A person serving as an SHC must possess qualities essential to the fostering of individual and community development for residence hall students.  In addition to the qualities listed in the Resident Assistant or Junior Counselor position description, an SHC must be able to demonstrate leadership skills amongst the staff and assist in developing a staff team.  SHC candidates must have previously demonstrated a commitment to the residence life position through successful staff involvement.

Preferred Qualifications for being an SHC include:

• Prior experience as a Junior Counselor or Resident Assistant for the 2007-2008 academic year, and
• To receive fullest consideration, participation in the hiring process of the 2008-2009 JC and RA candidates.

Responsibilities
As a residence life staff member, the Student Hall Coordinator assumes a number of roles in order to facilitate a healthy quality of life in college residence halls.  They assume all expectations listed in the Resident Assistant or Junior Counselor position description.  The SHC’s additional responsibilities includes:

1.     Community Development – Student Hall Coordinators advise the Hall Council and serve as liaison between the council and Area Coordinator.

2.     Programming – Student Hall Coordinators oversee programming in the hall by coordinating effective student staff and Hall Council programming efforts. SHCs role model positive and effective programming.

3.     Role Modeling - Student Hall Coordinators must role model appropriate behavior not only to residents but also to all student staff members. They should abide by and enforce all College policies on a campus-wide basis. Failure to do so is considered a serious breach of a Student Hall Coordinator’s responsibilities and may result in dismissal.

• Administrative - Student Hall Coordinators help coordinate the opening and closing of halls during breaks.  This includes returning to campus early for all openings and staying late for all closings (including Interim).  Other administrative tasks are specified by their Area Coordinator.

 

• Staff Development and Leadership – Student Hall Coordinators plan and facilitate staff development with the Area Coordinator.  The SHC is a liaison between the hall staff and Area Coordinator, meeting at least once a week with the Area Coordinator to relay information.  SHCs are expected to assist with spring interviews of student staff for the upcoming year.

• Training – Student Hall Coordinators assist with Fall and Spring Training.  This involves arriving early in the Fall, presenting programs, and providing guidance to staff members.  An SHC is a role model and a valuable resource during the training of staff members.  It is expected that the returning staff members mentor other staff members in their positions.

 

Time Commitment
In addition to the responsibilities listed in the Resident Assistant or Junior Counselor position description, commitments include:

• Attending weekly one-on-one meetings with the Area Coordinator.
• Being available to residents and staff by consistently spending time in the residence hall.
• Coordinating hall programming of the student staff and the Hall Council.
• Advising Hall Council - which includes attending weekly Hall Council meetings, weekly executive board meetings and weekly meetings with the Hall Council President.  Have regular communication of Hall Council issues with the Area Coordinator.
• Assisting with Spring Staff Training.
• Participating in the Fall Training Week by arriving early to assist in implementing training.
• Coordinating and assisting with all break inspections at Fall, Winter, Interim, and Spring Breaks.
• Being present at and implementing all break openings (Fall, Thanksgiving, Winter, Interim, Spring, and Easter Break).  Staff involved in opening for a break must return to campus the morning of break opening. For exceptions, written requests must be made to the Residence Life Office.
• Being available to close down the Residence Halls in May and be on campus until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 25, 2009.

 

 

Student Hall Coordinator Relationships within the Residence Life Staff
1.     Area Coordinator - In all roles that the Student Hall Coordinator will assume within the residence hall, the relationship with the Area Coordinator will be of primary importance.  A comfortable working relationship between these two people is crucial to providing support and developing a cooperative team approach to hall issues.  Open communication is also important to being an effective team.  Regular and continuous updates of hall activities and developments are emphasized.

2.     Student Staff - Student Staff members are expected to develop a positive working relationship with other student staff members in their own building, as well as become acquainted with those in other halls in order to build a more cohesive, productive, campus-wide residence life program.  Student staff members are also expected to work cooperatively with the Hall Receptionist staff and Building Assistants.

Evaluation
The evaluation process is ongoing, with both formal and informal contact.  It is expected that daily communication between the Student Hall Coordinator and the Area Coordinator will greatly enhance the overall relationship, resulting in an atmosphere of trust and honest feedback.

The Area Coordinator is responsible for one formal evaluation of the Student Hall Coordinator in the fall.  The Area Coordinator will give written and verbal feedback based on written evaluations from the hall residents.  The formal evaluation process is included to promote self-understanding and growth, and as such, SHC is expected to actively participate.  Student staff members will also be given the opportunity to give feedback to their Area Coordinator.  Upon review by the Area Coordinator and/or the Associate Director of Residence Life, a staff member may be dismissed from their position if his or her actions conflict with the policies and/or procedures of the Residence Life Office or the college.  This applies to all campus and Residence Life policies including appropriate relationships with residents, the alcohol, drug, noise, intervisitation, candles, pets, smoking, and hall sports policies.

Minnesota State law requires that an individual hired for this position must clear a criminal background check.  This check will be done after hiring at the college's expense.

Compensation
Compensation for the Student Hall Coordinator is received in the form of a $3500 stipend.  The room assignment will be a single room at no additional cost.  If an SHC is away from campus during Interim, they will receive the compensation allotted for Interim ($350). However, SHCs must be present for both Interim opening and Interim closing, exceptions will only be considered through written request submitted to the Residence Life Office well in advance. This stipend is credited directly to their bill, half for each semester. SHCs may not hold other on-campus jobs. Compensation for the Student Hall Coordinator position may affect their Financial Aid award and we encourage all that apply to work with the Financial Aid Office to determine how this will affect their financial aid.

At-will Appointment
Student Hall Coordinators are employed with the College on an at-will basis.  The employer and the employee have the right to terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or notice.  SHCs must maintain good academic standing throughout their time on staff or it may result in the loss of position.  Good academic standing is determined at the discretion of the Director of Residence Life.

Application for Student Coordinator for 2008-2009

Student Coordinator Reference by AC for 2008-2009

Student Coordinator Reference by staff for 2008-2009

Student Coordinator Reference by current resident for 2008-2009