Working for the Office of Housing and Residence Life

Residence life staff

Every residence hall has a full-time professional staff member called the residence director, who supervises a specially selected and trained student staff consisting of resident assistants, (RAs), and residence life receptionists. It is this team of the professional and paraprofessional staff that ensures the hall atmosphere is conducive to the student's academic learning, personal growth and physical well-being. Our staff has been intentionally selected to help provide a safe and positive experience for all residents. It is important for you to get to know the professional and paraprofessional staff in your living area. Please contact them if you need assistance with anything!

Residence life receptionists are student staff members who serve as a resource at the main lobby desks of both Parsons and Spangler halls. Desk assistants are available to helps with lock-outs, contacting the RA or RD, providing toilet paper or vacuums, checking out game equipment, etc. This is a federal work study position. Applications are available from the office of Housing and Residence Life. These positions are typically filled through an application and interview process at the beginning of the fall semester. However occasionally there will be openings throughout the school year.

Resident assistants (RAs) are student staff members who live on the floor with residents and serve as a resource to residents. In addition, RAs strive to foster a rich community on their floor and in the hall. RAs have typically lived on campus for at least one semester. There is approximately one RA for every 32 residents. This student leadership position is paid and includes room and board. The RA application and selection process occurs early in the spring semester for positions beginning the following fall semester.

Conference assistants (CAs) is a student leadership position in the office of Housing and Residence Life during the summer. The CAs assist with summer SMU residents, summer conference guests, as well as staffing the residence life offices during the summer months. This is a paid position that includes summer housing. The application process for this position occurs toward the end of spring semester.