What We Do

While both resident advisors (RAs) and advocates for inclusion in residence (AIRs) live in the residence halls, work to build safe, inclusive resident communities and act as resources for their peers, RAs also serve in the after-hours “on call” rotation to engage with residents and ensure safety in the residence hall. In addition, they organize and conduct small-floor and hall-wide community-building programs.

Though AIRs offer service and support to all residents in their assigned hall, they are specifically focused on those belonging to marginalized social identities in particular. An AIR works collaboratively to educate their residential community on issues of inclusion, social identity and social justice, both on large and small scales. In addition, they support RAs on issues of inclusion and residential climate.

AIRs also collaborate with our campus partners, such as International Student and Scholar Affairs and Intercultural Student Engagement. They do not serve in the on-call rotation.

Both positions require an average of 10–15 hours per week of active work. This includes:

• meetings with staff
• meetings with students
• program planning
• checking in with residents
• responding to emails
• (for RAs) serving in the on-call rotation

Some weeks you may work fewer than the average hours, others more. Both positions offer time flexibility, as you can fulfill most of your responsibilities at points in the week that work best for you and your residents.

Both RAs and AIRs are compensated in the form of a meal plan and a private residential room.

Yes. However, your other on- and off-campus jobs and official extracurricular activities cannot total more than 10 hours per week. You will need to speak to your supervisor about your other commitments and understand that your RA/AIR duties must be your top non-academic priority in terms of schedule.

You cannot study abroad during your first year in the role. After you complete the first year, you may work with your supervisor and Residence Life leadership to explore how to study abroad while remaining on staff.

Please note that approval of RA/AIR Wintersession travel courses is contingent on the number of staff interested in participating.

These are typically one-year appointments. We do offer flexibility in the event of a change in graduation date, leave of absence and similar circumstances. You’re expected to communicate with Residence Life if you foresee any issues affecting your RA/AIR appointment.

Most RA/AIR spaces are single occupancy. We do have some double spaces in our apartment residences, in which case a partner could live with you. They would be responsible for their share of the space.

Be advised that we place RAs/AIRs in residences based on fit. We do not take partnership status into consideration.

Yes, if your community placement allows. If you are placed in a community that requires you share accommodations, we will provide instructions on how to select your roommates.

No, we simply want candidates who value residential community and can speak to its importance at RISD.

If you are offered a position, connect with Student Financial Services to discuss its potential impact on your financial aid. These rolls are compensated in the form of free housing and dining allotments, which appear on your tuition bill as a credit. This in turn might affect your financial aid.

That said, the RA and AIR positions historically do not affect financial aid packages.

Also note that RA benefits are not considered taxable income because:

• the benefit is provided for the convenience of RISD
• RA meals are furnished on campus
• RAs are required to live in an assigned room as a condition of employment.

No. We take preference into consideration, but prioritize how we see you connecting with a specific residential community. We want you to succeed, so we play to your strengths.

No. You will only receive one offer from Residence Life for either the RA or AIR position, with a specific assigned community attached. If you decline your assignment, you effectively decline the position and remove yourself from the selection process.

If you are selected and need a specific accommodation (e.g., a kitchen free of specific allergens), you need to request a medical housing accommodation via the housing portal. To receive consideration for an RA/AIR placement accommodation, your medical housing request must be approved for the given academic year.

If you have a medical accommodation during the current academic year, you’ll still need to submit a request for the coming year. Please do so as soon as possible. If you have questions email Melynda Heying-McMahon, our associate director for housing operations.