Midwestern State University 2020-2021 Residence Life and Housing Assistant Hall Director Selection Information
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Midwestern State University 2020-2021
Residence Life and Housing
Assistant Hall Director Selection Information
Application Deadline is 11:59:59 p.m. February 20, 2020
If you have any questions please contact Residence Hall Director Richard
Keen at richard.keen@msutexas.eduWhat is expected of an Assistant Hall Director?
The Assistant Hall Director (AHD) is uniquely qualified to serve as a co-leader of the staff with the Hall Director. The
AHD will assist with staff leadership, administrative assignment, Residence Life and Housing projects, and hall
emergencies. They influence the staff dynamic in their specific building and the staff as a whole. Residence Life and
Housing expects the AHDs to embrace their role as leaders on staff and encourage the growth and development of the
Resident Assistant team. The Assistant Hall Director position is an especially challenging one, both in the daily work
responsibilities and the opportunities for individual growth and development. AHDs have perspective to both challenge
and support their peers while allowing each individual on the staff team to experience the position through their own
lens.
In addition to the leadership role of the AHD position, AHDs are expected to fulfill all requirements of the RA position
as it pertains to their assigned community. For specific details on the AHD position, please see the position description.
The Residence Life & Housing Department encourages all qualified candidates to apply. The invitation to apply is
inclusive and not limited by ethnicity, age, gender, religious preference, sexual orientation, or physical ability.
How are AHDs selected?
AHD candidates go through a selection process focusing on the potential of each candidate to successfully co-lead a
Resident Assistant staff team and a residential community. This potential is brought to light through a variety of tasks
the candidates must complete. These include the application, resume, recommendation forms, and the AHD presentation.
The application process is designed to clearly highlight each applicant’s skill set and potential within the position. This
application information packet includes the Assistant Hall Director position description, an outline and timeline of the
selection process, the 2020-2021 returning Assistant Hall Director application, and the returning Assistant Hall Director
recommendation form.
Each applicant will be asked to obtain two recommendations. These recommendations need to be obtained from a
current supervisor and a current RA on your staff. You are responsible for asking your supervisor and RA staff member
to complete the recommendation form for you. The person completing the recommendation form will be responsible for
submitting it through Mustangs Link.
Each applicant will be asked to make a twenty minute presentation. The presentation will be followed by fifteen minutes
of questions from the panel. The AHD presentation is a vital part of the returning RA selection process that enables our
staff to see each candidate in a variety of situations to determine who will be the best fit for the position. This process
ensures the best possible candidates are selected by having applicants participate in a consistent and equal selection
process.
Due to the nature of the AHD selection process, a presentation must be scheduled during the available
time slots on March 2-6, 2020.What needs to be in the presentation?
AHD candidates are asked to create an interactive 20 minute presentation that highlights their year(s) as an RA and/or
AHD. Minimally, the presentation must address:
Experiences with building community over the past academic year
o What went well?
o What could have gone better?
o What would you like to do that you didn’t get the chance to do?
o How would you impact all communities as an AHD?
Goals for the AHD position
o What are the challenges of the AHD position?
o What do you view as the biggest issues facing the RA staff? How would you address these issues as an
AHD?
o How do you envision the AHD and HD working together to lead the staff?
Personal Reflection
o How have you grown as a person over the past year?
o How would the AHD position help you continue to grow?
o How can you as an AHD help others grow?
o What sets you apart from the other candidates?
Mentorship for the RA staff
o How do you define a mentor?
o How do you fit that definition?
o What goals do you have for working with the first year RA staff?
o What goals do you have for working with the returning RA staff?
2020-2021 Onboarding Process
If selected to be an AHD, you will be expected to participate in on-boarding activities for the 2020-2021 staff team. In
the Office of Residence Life & Housing, this process is designed to help build the foundation for the Resident Assistant
position and will provide an introduction to important concepts such as community building, safety and security, and
confrontation/mediation while also providing opportunities to begin creating important team connections.
Team members participate in a series of workshops focused on leadership and community development to better
understand the Resident Assistant position. The three workshops will be held from 7 p.m.—8:30 p.m. on March 29,
April 5, and April 19 in the Legacy Multipurpose Room.
Additionally, if selected to be an AHD, you will be expected to participate in placement interviews of the 2020-2021 RA
staff. In these placement interviews, the professional staff and AHD staff learn more about the RAs to determine their
placement. The AHDs will also participate in placement discussions following the interviews. More information about
the placement interviews will be given at the new AHD meeting which will be announced at a later date. The specific
time of the meeting will be based on the schedules of the new AHD team.Assistant Hall Director Position Description
The Assistant Hall Director (AHD) is uniquely qualified to serve as a co-leader of the staff with the Hall Director. The AHD
will assist with staff leadership, administrative assignment, Residence Life and Housing projects, and hall emergencies. They
influence the staff dynamic in their specific building and the staff as a whole. Residence Life and Housing expects the AHDs
to embrace their role as leaders on staff and encourage the growth and development of the Resident Assistant team. The AHD
position is an especially challenging one, both in the daily work responsibilities and the opportunities for individual growth and
development. AHDs have perspective to both challenge and support their peers while allowing each individual on the staff
team to experience the position through their own lens. In addition to the leadership role of the AHD position, AHDs are
expected to fulfill all requirements of the RA position as it pertains to their assigned community. For specific details on the
AHD position, please see the position description.
The Residence Life & Housing Department encourages all qualified candidates to apply. The invitation to apply is inclusive
and not limited by ethnicity, age, gender, religious preference, sexual orientation, or physical ability.
Prerequisites
1. Cumulative and semester GPA of 2.25, which must be maintained while employed as an AHD
2. Enrolled full time (12 credit hours) unless in the final semester prior to graduation; those in their final semester prior to
graduation must be enrolled in at least six (6) hours, International Students enrolled in at least twelve (12) hours
Preferred Qualifications
These qualifications outline the skills, which the department sees as desirable in staff members who hold this position.
1. Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher is preferred
3. Preference will be given to those candidates who demonstrate exemplary skills in the areas of communication, time
management, leadership and a desire to assume this position
4. Achieved sophomore status, or the equivalence of two semesters of academic work
5. Completed one semester of RA responsibilities
Job Expectations
The following job expectations are outlined to assist both AHDs and residents in their endeavors to be academically,
personally, and professionally successful.
Community Building
Work to ensure successful community development
Engage residents in a variety of activities that will foster a sense of community
o Responsible for documented intentional resident interactions
o Provide community development activities to meet the needs of the departmental programming model
o Help residents adjust to roommates/suitemates/floor mates, residence halls, university, and Wichita Falls
o Establish and maintain an open relationship with each member of the community
o Assist residents with their personal/group concerns
Maintain respect and confidentiality among students when responding to sensitive issues within the community
Communicate resident successes and issues of concerns with supervisor
Promote positive relationships with residence hall and apartment support staff (main office administrative staff,
custodians, maintenance staff, etc.)
Carry out department guidelines for helping residents and dealing with emergencies
Student Success
Encourage an academic environment in the residence halls
Model and lead a healthy lifestyle
Provide and maintain resource information on bulletin boards and other media which contribute to student academic,
personal, and professional success
Serve as a source of information for students who require assistance from university support services
Safety and Security
Participate in weekly on-call as scheduled and as outlined by departmental guidelines
Confront, document and refer violations of the student code of conduct in a timely manner per departmental guidelines Work cooperatively with residents to maintain the rights and privacy of all residents
Administrative Support
Complete room inventories, occupancy reports, work orders, activity/programming reports weekly reports, and other
reports as assigned
Inform residents of procedures (ex. work orders, lock-outs, etc.)
Work (3) scheduled (residence halls) hall office hours
Respond to supervisor and department communication in an appropriate and timely manner as instructed via
supervisor or departmental guidelines
Function as a member of the staff team
Maintain a sense of professionalism while interacting with students, staff, MSU employees, MSU services, guests, and
all other stakeholders
Conduct tours in the residence halls and apartments
Perform other duties as assigned
Staff Leadership
Co-lead the assigned staff(s) with the Hall Director
Build community within the staff team
Attend weekly hall leadership staff meetings
Complete assigned AHD tasks and projects as outlined by departmental guidelines
Preform other duties as assigned
Active involvement is required in the following:
Pre-semester Fall and Spring Training Workshops, weekly staff meetings, all-staff meetings, and other meetings as
identified by the department or supervisor
Staff selection process
University programs such as Round-Up Events, Stampede Week, Family Weekend, Homecoming, Mustangs Rally,
and other programs as identified by the department or supervisor
Commitment
Upon accepting the position, the AHD accepts the conditions of the employment outlined in the departmental manual, AHD
work agreement, and position description. The AHD is expected to fulfill their academic commitments as their first priority,
with the AHD position being primary above all other MSU activities (except academics). AHDs seeking additional
employment or extensively involved activities must consult with their supervisor or a departmental representative. Please note
that AHDs will not be allowed to work more than 10 additional hours per week. AHDs enrolled in coursework requiring an
extreme time commitment (including but not limited to the following: student teaching and clinical rotations) must receive
special permission from their supervisor and the Director of Residence Life and Housing or their designee.
The AHD position is a one academic year commitment. The dates of employment are listed below:
Fall 2019 employment is Friday, August 7, 2020 through Saturday, December 12, 2020.
Spring 2020 employment is Thursday, January 7, 2021 through Saturday, May 8, 2021.
Remuneration
Private Room (when available)
Silver (residence halls) 150 meals or Bronze (apartments) 75 meals + $100 Flex Dollars. Students who wish to select a
larger meal plan may do so with responsibility to cover the cost difference between the plan selected and the plan
offered as part of the remuneration package.
Semester Stipend: $700Returning RA Selection Checklist Complete Application Form Application forms are due by 11:59:59 p.m. on February 20, 2020 via Mustangs Link to the Office of Residence Life and Housing. The application form is titled Assistant Hall Director Application for 2020-2021 Resumes will be submitted as part of the application form. For assistance with your resume, contact the Career Management Center at (940) 397-4215. If you have questions regarding the application process, contact Richard Keen at richard.keen@msutexas.edu. One reference form from current supervisor Recommendation forms are due by 11:59:59 p.m. on February 20, 2020 via Mustangs Link to the Office of Residence Life and Housing. The recommendation form should be submitted by the person providing the recommendation. One reference form from a Resident Assistant on your current staff Recommendation forms are due by 11:59:59 p.m. on February 20, 2020 via Mustangs Link to the Office of Residence Life and Housing. The recommendation form should be submitted by the person providing the recommendation. AHD Presentation The AHD Presentations will be held on March 2-6, 2020. Attendance is mandatory to be considered for a position on the 2020-2021 staff. You will be invited to sign up after applications are screened. *As part of your application, you will select to waive or not waive access to your recommendations. If you waive access, please send the following link to your recommenders: Recommendation Form for Residence Life and Housing Staff for 2020-2021 (Access Waived) https://msutexas.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/365481 If you do not waive access, please send the following link to your recommenders: Recommendation Form for Residence Life and Housing Staff for 2020-2021 https://msutexas.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/365484
AHD Selection Timeline
Applications and Mustangs Link Sunday, February 20, 2020 11:59:59 p.m.
Resumes Due
Recommendations Due Mustangs Link Sunday, February 20, 2020 11:59:59 p.m.
Invitation to Email* Tuesday, February 25, 2019 5:00 p.m.
Present
Returning AHD Residence Life Office Monday, March 2, 2020 through TBD
Presentations Friday, March 6, 2020
Notification Letters Email* Friday, March 13, 2020 12:00 p.m.
New AHD Meeting TBD March 13, 2020 TBD
**Placement Interviews TBD Week of March 23, 2020 TBD
RA Onboarding Legacy Hall’s Market Sunday, March 29, 2020 7:00 p.m.
Workshops Street Commons Sunday, April 5, 2020 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 19, 2020 7:00 p.m.
*The email provided by the applicant on the application is the email that will be used for all correspondence.
**AHDs will be expected to participate in interviewing the RAs and to assist in the placement of the RA staff
team. More information regarding this process will be given to the successful AHD candidates.
All applications, resumes, and recommendation forms must be submitted via Mustangs Link to the Office of
Residence Life and Housing.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Richard Keen at richard.keen@msutexas.edu2020-2021 Assistant Hall Director
Application
Office of Residence Life & Housing
General Information
The Assistant Hall Director is placed in a mentorship role to the first year and returning RA staff because they have
experience in the position. They influence the staff dynamic in their specific building and the staff as a whole. The
Residence Life and Housing Senior Leadership expects the AHDs will embrace their role as leaders on staff and allow
the first year and returning RA staff to experience their position and the unique challenges it brings without negatively
impacting their year as an RA.
In addition to the mentorship role of the AHD position, AHDs are expected to fulfill all requirements of the RA position
as it pertains to their communities. For specific details on the RA position, please see the position description.
The Residence Life & Housing Department encourages all qualified candidates to apply. The invitation to apply is
inclusive and not limited by ethnicity, age, gender, religious preference, sexual orientation, or physical ability.
Candidate Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Cumulative and semester GPA of 2.25, which must be maintained while employed as an AHD
Enrolled in at least six (6) hours, International Students enrolled in at least twelve (12) hours
Preferred Qualifications
These qualifications outline the skills, which the department sees as desirable in staff members who hold this position.
Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher is preferred
Enrolled in at least twelve (12) hours
Preference will be given to those candidates who demonstrate exemplary skills in the areas of
communication, time management, leadership and a desire to assume this position
Achieved sophomore status, or the equivalence of two semesters of academic work
In addition to maintaining the academic expectations outlined above, Assistant Hall Directors may not be on current
disciplinary probation.
Required Application Materials & Timeline
In addition to this application, all candidates are required to have a submitted resume, two recommendation forms, and
completed application essay questions. For assistance with your resume, contact the Career Management Center at
(940) 397-4215.
Applicants meeting minimum qualifications and with completed applications will be notified on Tuesday, February 25,
2020 if they have been selected for the AHD presentations held March 2 through March 6, 2020. Candidates will be
notified of their status on Friday, March 13.
Personal Information (please type)
Name: Click here to enter text. Birth Date: Click here to enter text. Gender: Choose an item.
(First) (MI) (Last)
M-Number: Click here to enter text. Cell Phone: Click here to enter text.
Preferred Email: Click here to enter text. Expected Graduation Date: Click here to enter text.
Current Major/Area of Study: Click here to enter text. Current GPA: Click here to enter text.Number of Credit Hours Achieved to Date: Click here to enter text. Semesters at MSU: Click here to enter text.
Essay Questions
Using no more than 500 words per question, answer the following essay questions.
1. What is the role of the AHD in Residence Life and Housing and how will you fulfill that role?
Click here to enter text.
2. The AHD position can be stressful at times. How do you recognize when you are stressed? How do you handle
your stress?
Click here to enter text.
3. If you do not agree with a policy/decision that is made by the department, how do you as an Assistant Hall
Director react to this decision? How will you as the Assistant Hall Director respond to the RA staff if they also
do not agree with the department’s policy/decision?
Click here to enter text.
4. How do you teach new Resident Assistants to build community in their area? How do you encourage returning
Resident Assistants to push themselves as community builders?
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5. Supervising returning RAs can present unique challenges. How do you hold a returning staff member
accountable if you feel as though they are “coasting” through their position? How might this differ from how
you would supervise a new RA?
Click here to enter text.
Recommendation Forms
All applications must include ONE completed recommendation from each of the following sources:
Current supervisor (if not a current RA or AHD, most recent Housing & Residence Life supervisor)
Current Resident Assistant on your staff (if not a current RA, an RA of your most recent staff)
Applicant Acknowledgement
I certify that the information I have given is complete, true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I hereby
give permission for the MSU Office of Residence Life & Housing to contact references identified on this application, in
relation to my potential employment at the University. I understand that any misrepresentation of information can cancel
this application or cause for termination in the event I am employed by the Office of Residence Life & Housing.
Signature Date
A Complete Application Packet Includes: Completed Application Form with Essay
Two Complete Recommendation Forms
Applicant’s Resume
Applications are due at 11:59:59 p.m. Sunday, February 20, 2020MSU Texas Residence Life and Housing
Assistant Hall Director Recommendation Form
Applicant Name: Community/Building:
Recommender Name: Date:
The goal of this recommendation form is to help the Assistant Hall Director Selection Committee evaluate the
applicant’s job performance and personal development during their time as a Resident Assistant from the view
point of the Resident Assistants on their staff. The scale used is based on how strongly you agree or disagree
with the statements listed in the boxes below. Provide examples for the rating that you provide.
5 – Strongly agree
4 – Agree
3 – Neither agree nor disagree
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly disagree
Statement Rating
The candidate knows their residents.
Provide example(s):
I would feel comfortable talking to this candidate about my problems.
Provide example(s):
This candidate is a leader on staff.
Provide example(s):
This candidate is able to confront their friends.
Provide example(s):
This candidate is easily stressed.Provide example(s): This candidate is able to remain objective when making decisions. Provide example(s): This candidate is able to clearly articulate their thoughts. Provide example(s): I feel confident in this person if they were to be my Assistant Hall Director. Provide example(s): Resident Assistant Signature: Date: __________
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