Resident Assistant Selection Process

Time with anchor lead: 1:17




Lead: FEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES CAN OFFER UI STUDENTS $5,000 ALONG WITH FREE ROOM AND BOARD. BUT THAT IS EXACTLY THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE FOR UNIVERSITY OF IOWA RESIDENT ASSISTANTS. DAILY IOWAN TV's BEN SCHUFF TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT UNIVERSITY HOUSING IS DOING TO COMBAT AN INCREASING NUMBER OF APPLICANTS.

Ben Schuff (VO): While the duties of a R.A. may not look appealing, over 500 students have applied the past two years. Due to the high number, University Housing decided to revamp the old, 1-day selection process called Super Saturday. Mayflower Hall Coordinator Becky Wilson explained why.

Becky Wilson (SOT): "Because Super-Saturday, you can easily fake it for a day. We felt like we weren't getting to know candidates as well as we could have before we made staff selection."

Ben Schuff (VO): Previously, all prospective R.A.s gathered together for Super Saturday, where they performed various activities. This year, applicants attended four, one-and-a-half-hour long seminars. While there groups of 12-20 were taught about the various responsibilities of a RA. Wilson said this gave housing staff a more in-depth look at students.

Becky Wilson (SOT): "And I think it was helpful, too, because by having the seminars, we really kind of cut the people who were like, "Oh, an R.A. gets free room and board and a nice stipend."

Ben Schuff (VO): This year's applicants who received a position for next year will meet with their new staffs for the first time April 10. I'm Ben Schuff with Daily Iowan TV.