Resident Associate Application
RA Application Form: The application form will open for submissions on Friday, January 19, 2024. The link is available HERE. The open-ended questions that appear in the application are below.
Advisor Approval Form: The advisor form is now open for submission. The link is available HERE.
RA Application and Advisor Approval Form Deadline: All forms are due by Friday, February 09, 2024 at 5:00pm.
If you have any questions regarding the Resident Associate application, please email the Residential Life Coordinator team at rlc@caltech.edu.
The Residential Experience has distinctive features that set Caltech apart from other universities. These include social activities and residential structures that are specific to each area. The RA role facilitates the social, academic, and personal adjustment of students to the institution and the unique environment in which they live. Strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to foster and recognize complex social dynamics are hallmarks of a successful RA.
Given the diversity of residential experiences and the distinctive "personalities" of the various residences, it is important that RAs understand and match this breath and diversity. These concepts will also factor critically in both RA selection and decisions. Such decisions will be made at the discretion of the OSE.
- As members of the Caltech community, Resident Associates are expected to uphold, follow, and enforce Caltech's Honor Code, the Code of Conduct, and all other Caltech policies and procedures, and serve as an appropriate role model for students. RAs are also expected to comply with local, state, and federal laws.
- An RA is expected to be a student in good standing with the Institute and must be making satisfactory academic progress. If any of these are in question, an RA can be removed from the role.
- Please note that RAs are not allowed to have pets. Please review the pet policy for more information.
For complete details, see RA Role Full Description.
- Attend an Information Session (only need to attend one)
- Wednesday, January 17th- 6pm- Hameetman Conference Room or
- Tuesday, February 6th- 8pm- Hameetman Conference Room
- Submit an RA Application & Advisor Form
Opens on Friday, January 19,2024
Due by Friday, February 09, 2024 at 5:00pm - Panel Interviews
February 20th- March 5th - House Dinners (Undergraduate RA Applicants Only)
April 2nd- April 9th - Decisions are Announced- Both Grad and UG positions
April 12th
Please note that postdocs and Caltech staff are not eligible to apply for the Resident Associate role.
RA Information Session #1 (Grad and UG positions)
Wednesday, January 17th 6:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.
Hameetman Conference Room
RA Information Session #2 (Grad and UG positions)
Tuesday, February 6th 8:00 p.m.- 9:30 p.m.
Hameetman Conference Room
All Applicants
- What motivated you to apply for the Resident Associate role? Please be specific.
- Please describe any relevant roles, jobs, volunteer work, or campus leadership experiences that you have held - emphasizing the skills that can be transferred to this role; per listing.
- What should the relationship between the Resident Associate and residents of their community look like? How would you establish yourself as a leader and/or role model for your residents while still enforcing policy?
- Describe your academic goals for next year. How do you expect to balance your work and RA duties?
- Resident Associates are responsible for educational programming. What programs do you think might be helpful to Caltech students? Provide as much detail as you can about how you would implement a program from start to finish.
- (OPTIONAL) Please add anything you think would be helpful for us to know.
Grad Additions
An additional question to those applying to the Grad RA role or Both roles only. If you are only applying to the UG RA role, no need to answer this question.
- What do you see as some of the primary concerns Caltech graduate students manage? How are some ways to address these concerns?
Resident Associates are full-time graduate students who live in assigned Caltech housing and provide leadership to the community. Resident Associates are responsible for providing educational and social programming, connecting students with campus resources, and enforcing Institute policies.
The RA role is unique in that it is a live-in role. There are 8-10 structured and scheduled hours per week (e.g., attending meetings), but additional responsibilities take up at least an additional 10-12 hours per week. On the whole, RAs work an average of 12 hours per week. (There will be a few weeks that may require a little more than 12 hours including move-in week, training, etc.)
RAs are expected to spend a significant portion of their time in the community. The specific expectations are that RAs notify and secure approval from their supervisor for any extended period of time away from campus. This is to make sure our halls are adequately equipped in case of emergencies.
RAs are required to work several weekend duty shifts throughout the course of the term and must be around campus on occasional weekends which are "all-hands on deck" work days.
Yes, in fact, we encourage it!
The RA contract is offered on a year-to-year basis. The position is not guaranteed for continuing RAs; those who wish to continue in the position will be asked to re-apply.
2024 RA Training dates are all day Tuesday, July 23rd, Thursday, July 25th, Saturday, July 27th, Tuesday, July 30th, Thursday, August 1st, Thursday, September 12th and Thursday, September 19th.
All hands move-in weekend is September 21st-23rd.
Grad RA's have an additional training day- Date to TBA.
Attendance at all RA trainings are mandatory
RA meetings take place every Tuesday all year from 12:00 – 1:30pm. Attendance at these meetings is mandatory.
To assist RAs in the performance of their responsibilities, and to otherwise promote the educational opportunities engendered by the experience, RAs shall be eligible for the following:
- Room: A furnished apartment in their area of assignment on campus (including utilities).
- Board: Meals in the student residences and on-campus are provided
- One parking permit and a designated parking space.
- RAs receive $475 per month to cover incidentals and other expenses, including food. $50 is included in this monthly fellowship for cell phone use. All RA's must have cell phones.
Given the diversity of both residential life experiences and the distinctive "personalities" of the various houses that comprise the Caltech Residential Experience system, it is important that RAs understand and match this breath and diversity. These concepts will also factor critically in both RA selection and decisions concerning placement for specific student residences.
RAs will be provided a furnished apartment in their area of assignment (including utilities). Furnishings include a bed, dresser, nightstand, couch, kitchen table and chairs, and a coffee table. All furnishing must stay in the apartment. RLC's make the RA placements.