Academic Assistant Position Description

AA Employment Agreement 2009-2010

Academic Assistant Role

The Academic Assistant is a key component of residential learning communities such as First-Year Interest (FYI), Shared Interest Housing (SIH), and the UB Undergraduate Academies areas. You have the opportunity to impact the students in these learning communities and help them achieve academic success and engagement. Your relationship with students will change with each person and with each situation. You will alternately play the following roles: a source of information, a peer mentor, an educational programmer, and a role model. Within the residential network, you will be able to maximize your own potential and greatly enhance your University experience. We regard this position as an opportunity for developing leadership and a sense of responsibility. Being an AA is a learning experience and friendships will be formed that will last for many years. We expect that this role at the University will be second in importance only to your goals as a student. Use it well; the more you contribute, the more you will gain.

Duties and Expectations

Administrative:
  • Set and hold weekly office hours, at a minimum of 10 hours per week.
  • Schedule and hold individual meeting three times a semester with each student in your assigned area to provide individualized support and attention as they acclimate to the academic rigors of the University.
  • Organize study sessions based on the needs of residents in your learning community.
  • Act as a liaison among residents, faculty advisors and academic advisors.
  • Communicate and work with the Resident Advisor in your area to create a community.
  • Communicate information to students through the posting or distribution of notices and/or personal delivery of information.
  • Timely completion of all paperwork and duties related to AA position. Other administrative tasks as assigned by supervisory staff.
  • Assistance with special projects and large scale campus events (i.e. Room Reservation, Open House, September Welcome, RA/AA Selection Process, Homecoming, FunFest, etc.)
  • Review and be familiar with policies and procedures contained in the AA Staff Manual and other University Residence Hall & Apartment publications.
Programming:
  • Plan and implement academic and educational programs that meet the needs of your specific residents and academic major interests.
  • Participate in and promote student participation in various activities on-campus and off-campus.
  • Work cooperatively with Resident Advisor on floor to establish and create programs to fit the needs of residents in specific area.
  • Fulfill specific program requirements as stipulated by supervisors. Minimal programming requirements will include implementation of the first-six-weeks curriculum and at least 2 programs per month after the first six weeks.
  • Maintain educational/informational bulletin boards as stipulated by supervisors.
  • Actively maintain involvement with and support Residence Hall Councils, the Residence Hall Association, and the National Residence Hall Honorary.
Staff Meetings/Training:
  • Attendance at all staff meetings and scheduled in-service training sessions is required.
  • Attendance at regularly scheduled individual supervisory meetings is required.
  • Attendance at all sessions during the entire week of fall training, as well as participation in training prior to the opening of the halls for spring semester in January, is required.
General Duties:
  • Play an active and positive role in helping residents achieve academic success in college while making the transition to campus life. Positive student contact and availability to residents are keys to success in the AA role. Appropriate availability includes being available on evenings, weekends, and during office hours.
  • Assistance with Residential Life judicial functions is expected. AAs are required to enforce and adhere to all University and University Residence Hall & Apartment policies, rules, and regulations, by reporting any violations to the appropriate Residence Life staff in a timely manner.
  • As members of the URH&A team, AAs may serve as logistical support, as directed by Residential Life or Residential Education professionals and when needed, for fire evacuations and large scale emergency or hazard response.
  • Mediate interpersonal conflicts and encourage good communication between students.
  • Make appropriate referrals to the supervisory staff and other University Departments such as the Academic Advisement Center, Career Planning and Placement, academic departments, and, if necessary, University Police, Student Health Services, and Counseling Services.
Role Modeling:
  • AAs are expected to represent themselves and the University Residence Halls & Apartments in a professional manner in the course of performing job responsibilities. The AA is expected to be a positive role model at all times and exert a positive influence within the residence hall community. Appropriate behavior, both on and off campus is expected, including, but not limited to, abiding by all University rules and regulations and state and federal laws.
  • Serve as a liaison between URH&A and the university community, especially administrators, faculty, current and prospective students, and their families.
Diversity:
  • It is within the mission of the University Residence Halls & Apartments that all students are given respect and live in an environment free of discrimination, harassment and intolerance. It is crucial that AA's exhibit attitudes and behaviors that show respect for all students regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious background, gender, physical disability, etc. This includes addressing inappropriate or derogatory statements, graffiti, jokes, etc.
Performance Appraisal:
  • Performance appraisals will be based on your fulfillment of duties as well as terms and conditions, which are included in this document. AAs will participate in an evaluation process that includes input from residents.
  • Continuation in the position and decisions regarding renewal for an additional term will be based on these evaluations and your reapplication for your position during the spring semester.
  • Probation, extra training, additional work assignments, or termination may be required if performance is determined to be below average or if the AA engages in inappropriate behavior.

Terms and Conditions

Basic Remuneration:
  • Waiver of full cost of a single room in the residence halls.
  • Choice of discounted meal plan or stipend.
Effective Dates:
  • This contract is a commitment for one academic year beginning on the opening day of fall training scheduled for Sunday, August 16, 2009 and end one day after the final closing (senior check out) of the residence halls at the end of the academic year Monday, May 10, 2010 at 5 pm.
Outside Employment/Weekends Away:
  • Nonacademic commitments such as other employment obligations and time away from the position when the residence halls are open must be approved, in advance, by the Residential Education Coordinator (if approved, no more than 10 hours of outside work/commitments per week is allowed). Weekends away should not exceed one weekend per month.
  • AAs are permitted to take one weekend away per month. While halls are open, time away in excess of one weekend away will not be permitted unless the Residential Education Coordinator grants special permission.
AAs Grade Policy:
  • The requirement is that each AA maintains a UB 3.0 cumulative GPA. The AA position should not negatively affect the AA's academic achievement. Transfer students who are AAs need to maintain a UB GPA of 3.0.
  • AAs need to be enrolled full-time UB students, carrying a minimum of 12, maximum of 18 undergraduate credits or a minimum of 9, maximum of 15 graduate credits. Exceptions must be requested in writing to the Assistant Director for Residential Education prior to the start of Fall/Spring Training. The Assistant Director for Residential Education must petition exceptions to this rule, with the final decision being made by the Associate Director for Residential Education.
  • If an AA's GPA falls below a 3.0 but above a 2.7, the AA will be placed on probation for one semester. If the GPA does not reach 3.0 by the end of that semester, the AA will be terminated. The AA will have an opportunity to re-apply for the position after ONE academic year if his/her GPA is raised to the required level.
  • If an AA's GPA falls below a 2.7, the Assistant Director for Residential Education will discuss the situation with the AA and determine the personal circumstances surrounding the decline. A decision to either terminate or place the AA on probation will be made by the Assistant Director for Residential Education and Associate Director for Residential Education.
Floor/Room assignment:
  • University Residence Halls & Apartments reserves the right to change floor or room assignments if it is in the best interest of the AA and/or the residents.
Key Control Policy:
  • You will be held financially responsible for the costs associated with the replacement of any keys that are lost.
Termination by Employer:
  • Improper performance or non-performance of the terms of this contract or any other behavior which may significantly affect the ability of the incumbent to discharge the duties of the position may result in termination of employment. Decisions regarding termination will be made by the Assistant Director for Residential Education. The Academic Assistant will have the right to a review of the reasons for such termination. The Academic Assistant will also have the right to appeal the decision to the Associate Director for Residential Education within two business days of the termination meeting.
Please Note:

The policies and procedures contained in this manual are not intended to be contractual commitments by the University at Buffalo; employees / resident advisors shall not construe them as such. No policy herein is intended as a guarantee of continuity of benefits or rights. No permanent employment or employment for any term is intended or can be implied from any statements in this manual. The policies and procedures herein are intended to be guides to management and are merely descriptive of suggested procedures to be followed. Management reserves the right to revoke, change, modify or supplement guidelines at any time with or without prior written notice. They are not meant to and do not in any way change or modify Civil Service Laws, Rules or Regulations or Union Agreements. In the event of a conflict between the manual and Civil Service Laws, Rules, Regulations or Union Agreements, this manual is subordinate. This manual may not be inclusive of all University and / or University Residence Halls and Apartments policies and / or procedures.

Last updated: January 23, 2009 3:13 pm EST