The most infamous of all RA responsibilities, enforcing policy is usually less daunting than you may think. Generally, there are only one or two on-duty shifts per week, with rotating weekends. The most common infraction is a noise violation, and the least common are physical altercations, drug abuse and theft.
As a Resident Assistant, you will be somewhat responsible for the safety of your residents. Though most buildings have a security monitor to take care of most medical procedures, such as CPR, RAs will be asked to assist in building evacuations, enforcement of fire safety rules and occasionally assistance in emergency situations such as attempted suicide.
Resident Assistants spend most of their time planning activities. Programming can be passive, such as a bulletin board or poster campaign, or active like an ice cream social, movie night or educational event. Generally, your college or university will have guidelines for your programs, meaning you will have to have one educational program, one safety program, one health program and/or one diversity program per year, semester or month.
A big part of being an RA is having an open door. Residents, especially first-year students, have a lot of questions and concerns about college. They are looking for a peer and role model, so think carefully about the advice you are giving and consider the impact it will have on your resident's future. Questions range from bus schedules to boyfriend advice to bulemia. Your RA training should prepare you for just about everything.
Part of the job is completing paperwork, operating the information desk and completing check-in meetings with your supervisor. Expect to meet with your supervisor at least twice a month and fill out weekly reports about your programming.