Graduate Assistant Student Life

OUR UNIVERSITY

Ottawa University (established in 1865 one of the oldest private liberal arts universities in the United States is a multicampus system serving approximately 4000 students through its campuses in Kansas (Ottawa Kansas Residential Campus and Overland Park Kansas Adult Programs); Arizona (Surprise Residential Campus and OUAZ Adult Programs); Wisconsin (Brookfield Adult Programs); and our OU ONLINE PROGRAM based out of Overland Park Kansas.

Ottawa University is a regionally accredited churchrelated private university that strives to integrate faith learning and life in the academic experiences of students.

JOB SUMMARY

The Student Affairs Graduate Assistant (SAGA) is responsible for developing students outside of the classroom. The Residence Life program is an essential part of the living and learning experience for students. Providing both knowledge and support in social educational and recreational areas is a key component of this position. This role serves to facilitate lead and provide counsel to student staff and its residents. This is an oncampus livein position on our residential campus responsible for supervising 57 resident assistants (RAs).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND REQRUIED DUTIES OF THE JOB (provide list of items which are essential to effective outcomes in this role):

• The evaluation training and supervision of student staff
• General residence hall operations and maintenance
• Facilitation and support of programming within halls and around the greater campus community
• Enforcement of institutional policies
• Assistance in/with Student Affairs programming
• Including intramurals and student activities
• Office hours and oncall rotation coverage
• Active engagement in student outreach both in and out of assigned residence hall.
• Manage social media accounts for Residence Life
• Hold a minimum of 1 oneonone meeting for each RA per semester
• Maintain a safe livinglearning community. SAGA will conduct monthly health and safety checks in one of the oncampus residence halls adhering to standards throughout Residence Life.
  Submit maintenance request and note any inventory changes
  Send changes to Director of Student Life
  Communicate with residents who failed health and safety by email within 24 hours
• Serves as a resource to residents and students. This may include making referrals for campus services facilities or activities sending students to academic advisors and making them aware of other OU personnel functions facilties and activities.
• Work with students who have conflicts or problems (i.e. roommate conflicts homesickness adjustments to school etc. and knowing when annd where to refer students experiencing problems.
• Maintain a presence in the building and be available to students. SAGAs are expected to attend a minimum of 1 program/building per programming month (oncall weeks).
• Serve in oncall rotation with Professional Staff. Oncall parameters include:
  Staying within Ottawa city limits
  Forward RD phone during weekly housing meetings
  Complete rounds within each residence hall (Fri/Sat expected other night encouraged)
  Be confident/comfortable utilizing emergency protocol
• Supervise 1 weekend program per semester
  Supervise 1 community service program per semester
  Supervise 1 educational cocurricular program per semester
  Help manage budget
  Be sure RAs follow preprogram action plans to promote equal division of duties/reponsibilities
  Be present at event
• Ensure building staff is completing programs that complements and/or supports the livinglearning community. Specific RA programming requirements are:
  o Wing Program (active) Once a Programming Month
  o Wing Program (passive) Once a Programming Month
  o Building Program Once a Programming Month
  o Weekend Programming Once a Semester
  o Mental Health Campaign Once a Semester
  o Community Service Project Once a semester
  o Intentional Program (OffCampus housing RAs only)Once a Programming Month
  o 1 bulletin board per programming month on assigned board (Pro Staff completes 1/semester minimum)
  o 1 door decoration/resident in building at the start of each semester.
• Enforcement of University and Residential Life policies. Conduct/incident intervention. The SAGA is usually the first staff person to confront conduct infractions or assist with emergencies.
• Administrative activities related to the operation of their building including but not limited to processing overnight requests office upkeep inventory management assisting onduty RAs with tasks.
• Work 20 Hours a week in the Student Affairs Office (MF)
  o Reviewing documentation from RAs (preprogram action plans program evals. maintenance requests duty change forms incident reports behavioral documentation).
  o Track performance of RAs
  o Help manage programming checklist.
  o Oversee Walmart requisitions for budget filing. Comanage hall budgets with other SAGA
• Direct weekly building staff meetings and help Director of Residence Life organize monthly allstaff meetings.
• Participate in RA interview process.
• Assist with planning and of Fall/Spring RA training & End of year parties.
• Be willing to accommodate students in overflow housing situations.
• Direct movein and moveout operations for Residence life.
• Work Spring Commencement Ceremony.
• Help with Enrollment Days throughout summer months.
• Be available during Matriculation (fall and spring) for to help Student Affairs department with student registration.
• Attend Convocations Town Halls and other University events deemed necessary.
  Other duties as assigned

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Prior work experience in a related role preferred.

STANDARD UNIVERSITY EXPECTATIONS:

• Model and encourage collaboration among University departments assuring effective communication and operations.
• Understand the Universitys policies and procedures and exercise good judgment accordingly. Assure that University and student information is managed in a confidential and ethical manner in accordance with the Universitys Code of Conduct and Ethics.
• Provide leadership through conduct attitude and professionalism. Represent the University to students external groups faculty and staff in a way that reflects positively on the University.
• Be mindful and supportive of the overall Mission of Ottawa University.
• Exercise Inclusivity in your daily actions accruing alignment within expectations of the Universitys Mission Statement and Statement of Inclusion Openness and Community.

NOTE

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other jobrelated instructions and to perform any other jobrelated duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully the incumbents will possess the skills aptitudes and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge skills or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise other than an at will relationship.

Ottawa University is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate in recruitment or employment on the basis of race age sex color religion disability national origin sexual orientation genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

GRADUATE ASSISTANT GENERAL INFORMATION:
A limited number of graduate assistants are available through various departments and campus locations.

The selected candidates will be granted tuition waiver 18 credit hours per year) for one of Ottawa Universitys graduate programs a partial meal allowance and a biweekly living stipend paid over 12 months. Renewals for a second year are based on the evidence of academic performance and quality of assigned duties.

International candidates are only eligible to pursue the oncampus MBA degree of the programs that are offered. International students must also be able to secure an F1 student visa and meet the international admissions criteria for acceptance into the Ottawa University MBA program.

Appointments are generally made to those students who have shown superior aptitude in their field of study as an undergraduate and who appear likely to render a high quality of service to the University through their appointment and service activities.

All Graduate Assistants must be eligible to work in the United States and present the proper documentation to the Human Resources Department prior to beginning their graduate assistantship.

Academic Requirements

An individual must first be accepted and enrolled in an Ottawa University graduate program to be eligible for appointment as a Graduate Assistant. Admission requirements are as follows:

1 Completed online admissions application at:

2 REQUIRED application fee

3 Submission of official undergraduate transcripts 3.0 GPA minimum requirement) earned bachelors degree.

4 Submission of a personal statement regarding career goals and three professional references.

5 Other items as identified by the specific academic program

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following materials to be considered for employment.

• A completed employment application is required.
• Candidates should attach cover letter and resume.