Resident Assistants

• Build relationships with your residents to understand how to best support them on their Duke journey!  
• Create community programs for your residents based on their interest!  
• Assist residents to resolve conflict, get connected to campus resources, and offer overall support. 
• Educate residents and hold community members accountable by navigating and documenting Housing and University policy violations.  
• Participate in department initiatives such as opening, move-in and move-out.  

• All RAs are required to attend fall and winter training each year. If selected as an RA, you will be expected to make arrangements with summer internships, jobs, and family and friends to attend RA training. 
• This position includes building and maintaining a community of your peers. We expect our RAs to value the importance of creating inclusive welcoming environments for all Duke students. RAs will also be trained and expected to assist with conflict mediation in their respective communities.  
• Part of creating community is making sure residents are educated on community standards and discussions are held when those expectations are not met. RA will serve on a community on-call rotation. While on-call, you will be responsible for confronting violations of Duke University and Housing and Residence Life policy.  
• The RA role involves an approximate 15 hours/week commitment. This time commitment includes RA staff meetings, one-on-ones with your Residence Coordinator and/or Graduate Resident, planning small-scale programs in your community, and being on-call. We do expect the RA position to be your top priority, after academics; however, we will work with you to balance other campus involvements with your academics and the RA position. 

• RAs must be a full-time enrolled, degree-seeking student in good academic standing at Duke University and must maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA while in the RA position. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree students are eligible for the RA position.
• RAs may not enroll in more than five (5) units, per semester, without approval from their supervisor
• RAs must also remain in good conduct and disciplinary standing with the university at all times. This includes adhering to all University and Housing & Residence Life policies as outlined in the Duke Community Standard Guide and Housing License.
• Must be willing to adhere to all positional conditions and expectations, outlined below.

Stipend: RA stipends begin at $1,250 for West Campus RAs and RAs in Apartments or $1,375 for East Campus RAs. Stipends increase by $250 every two semesters in the RA role up to $1,750/$1,875. RA stipends are divided into four payments throughout the year.

Meal Plan: Additionally, they receive free on-campus housing and a meal allotment based on campus:

First-Year Campus RAs (East): Receive $1,650 Meal Points + 15 Meal Swipes per semester

Upperclass Campus RAs (West +Swift Quad): Receive $1,650 Meal Points per semester

The meal allotment is not considered a full meal plan. Its purpose is to provide RAs with food points so they can dine with residents. RAs typically supplement the meal allotment with their own funds.

Financial Implication of Role Benefits: The financial benefits of the Resident Assistant role may impact one’s financial aid package. HRL is required to provide financial details for the RA role to the Office of Financial Aid. We encourage you to contact the Office of Financial Aid at Duke with your questions. They have provided some examples and information on their website. Visit the Common Questions page and scroll down to “Factors Impacting Your Aid” to have a general idea of how the RA compensation may impact your financial aid. We encourage you to contact the Office of Financial Aid at Duke with your questions and to understand how the RA role may impact your aid specifically.