Preparing student leaders for success is a central focus of the Residential Education team. In support of the academic mission of the university, the residential student leader training curriculum for resident assistants (RA) and ethnic theme associates (ETA) are rooted in the responsibilities of their roles as outlined in the terms and obligations of appointment. To fulfill the requirements of the role, residential student leaders must attend all training components and complete them by the designated deadlines, as stated in the student leader agreement.
Student Leader Training Information
Per the Undergraduate Residential Student Leader Terms and Obligations of Appointment, all student leaders must:
- Attend and participate in all training and retreats required for all student leaders (even those who have previously attended) and for assigned residence. This includes but is not limited to training prior to the start of your student leader role, and supplemental training sessions throughout the academic year.
- Attend training, retreats, and classes in person when required to do so.
- Complete required online or alternative format training and classes when required to do so.
- Complete any summer commitments, including internships, before Labor Day weekend in early September.
While the training curriculum prioritizes the expectations of student leader roles as determined by Residential Education, we collaborate with various Student Affairs units, faculty, and other campus partners as content experts to effectively train our residential student leaders.
Evidence-based practices and theories utilized include:
- Social Change Model of Leadership Development (Astin, Bonous-Hammarth, HERI)
- Mattering and Marginality (Schlossberg)
- Intersectionality (Crenshaw)
- Public Health Harm Reduction
- Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Core Training Topics Include:
- Agreement Review and Role Expectations
- Community Building and Levels of Belonging
- How and Why We Program
- Engaging with Difference
- Facilitation
- Mediation, De-Escalation, and Conflict Resolution
- SHARE & Title IX Resources
- Title VI Resources
- Clery and Reporting Requirements
- Alcohol and Other Drug Education and Support Resources
- Mental Health and Helping Skills
- Flourishing and Well-Being
- Fire & Life Safety
- Financial Stewardship and Purchasing Card (PCard) compliance
- Role Playing and Behind Closed Doors
Training is held over the course of one week and emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning. Sessions focus on the foundational values and core competencies for all residential student leaders, while also providing opportunities to apply this learning directly to each student leader’s specific role and responsibilities.
Please email if you have documented accommodations that should be considered.
Residential Student Leader Training Timeline
Review required dates for the Residential Student Leader training process for the 2026–27 academic year.
Spring Quarter (March-June)
- Weeks 1-5: Asynchronous Online Training
- Residential student leaders complete prerequisite online training modules in Canvas
- Weeks 6-10: House-Level Engagement
- Team-building and planning for residential student leaders
September
- Thursday, September 3: Residential student leader move-in period begins
- Saturday, September 5 (12:00 p.m.): Residential student leader move-in period ends
- Saturday, September 5 (1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.): Residential Student Leader Training check-in
- Saturday, September 5 (evening) – Monday, September 7: House Retreats
- Tuesday, September 8 – Friday, September 11: Residential Student Leader Training
- Friday, September 11 (evening) – Sunday, September 13: House Retreats (second option)
- Sunday, September 13 – Monday, September 14: Frosh/RF house preparation for opening
- Monday, September 14: Row Training
- Tuesday, September 15 – Sunday, September 20: New Student Orientation
- Tuesday, September 22: First day of classes
Note: All residential student leaders are expected to be on campus from the end of the move-in period (September 5) through the first week of classes, unless they are participating in approved off-campus training or house-opening preparation activities.
