Presenters:Diana Cherry

Coordinator for Residence LifeCalifornia Lutheran University

Nathan FallCoordinator for Residence LifeCalifornia Lutheran University

Christine PaulAssociate Director of Student LifeCalifornia Lutheran University

What is your responsibility level?

Chief Housin

g Offi

cer

Mid-Le

vel M

anagement

Resid

ent Dire

ctor

Grad

uate Ass

istant

Oth

er

20% 20% 20%20%20%

1. Chief Housing Officer2. Mid-Level Management3. Resident Director4. Graduate Assistant5. Other

What do you hope to get out of this session?

Get n

ew ideas f

or RA Tra

...

Netw

ork w

ith oth

ers wi..

Hear w

hat oth

er campus..

Share

ideas

that

have w...

Oth

er

20% 20% 20%20%20%1. Get new ideas for RA

Training 2. Network with others with

the same interests3. Hear what other

campuses are doing 4. Share ideas that have

worked for you on your campus

5. Other

What’s working about RA training on your campus? How do you know?

What’s not working about RA training on your campus? How do you know?

What methods do you use for training Resident Assistants? What methods would you like to explore in working with

Resident Assistants? What topics do you cover during RA training?

Are there are other topics you’d like to cover? What do you hope Resident Assistants learn from RA training? Do you feel you have seen your RA Training program continue

to improve each year? How do you know?

Planning RA Training Decide on learning outcomes for RA training Decide on methods for knowing your learning outcomes

are met Decide on who will plan RA training Decide on how RA training will be implemented Commit to improving RA training each year Other?

Basic Expectations of RA Training

RA comprehension and competence in all requirements and responsibilities of the RA position

Knowledge of campus resources and how to best utilize them

Personal/professional development Team/staff development among RAs Leadership opportunities for RAs Fun! Other?

Do you know what RAs’ expect from RA training?

1. Yes2. No

68 % of our Resident Assistant said they felt learning how to do their jobs was the number one expectation they had during training.

RA training schedules change…1. Too often. We reinvent the

wheel every year.2. Not enough. Returning RA’s are

falling asleep in every session.3. The right amount. We have

traditions, we cover basics, but still find ways to keep it fresh and challenging.

70% of our Resident Assistants felt training session had enough variety in presentation styles

Balancing Change and Continuity

Ideas for Changes Ideas for Continuity

Returner involvement in planning training sessions

Collaboration with other student leadership training groups

Presenters from outside departments/resources

Variation in presentation styles for each session

Off-site components to training Revisiting training objectives each

year

Set traditions for teambuilders and staff bonding

Tracking dates of session presenters and presentation style/content and rotating sessions every 3 years

Similar presentation styles or sites for basic training

RA created mission/vision statement

What is the presentation style of most of RA training sessions?

Ente

r answ

er text

...

100%1. Lecture /Discussion2. Multimedia3. Skits, Role Play and

Demonstrations4. Manuals and other

required reading5. Games and activities 6. Other

Session Presentation: Ideas for Challenging and Engaging RAs

Goal setting sessions Journal reflections/responses Skits Games and activities Field Trips (Museum of Tolerance, Urban Exchange, Central RAP, Film Festivals) Presenters from other offices or departments or student presenters Videos Presentations Aids such as worksheets, Turningpoint, Powerpoint, Leadership opportunities for returning staff

RAP presentations Internships/honors within the RA role (Sr. RA) Leading sessions during Fall, Spring, and ongoing training Mentor/Mentee relationships between new and returning staff Roundtables, rotating discussions, experiential learning (BCD, Programpalooza, student

discussions and skits) Other?

What is one way you plan to improve RA training at your institution?

Revis

iting R

A Trainin

g le...

Implementin

g new pres..

.

Invitin

g new staff

and s...

Oth

er

25% 25%25%25%

64% of our RA’s felt they learned best by doing (experiential and role play related sessions. 42% of our RA’s felt they learned best through discussion.

1. Revisiting RA Training learning outcomes

2. Implementing new presentation styles in training sessions

3. Inviting new staff and students to participate in planning RA training

4. Other