Introduction | Goals | Expectations | Responsibilities | Evaluations | Timeaway | Renumeration | Eligibility Requirements

Community Aide Position Description

Introduction
The Community Aide position involves being a resource in the community, assisting residents in their adjustment to the Campus and surrounding area, and developing a climate that enhances safety, support, trust, inclusion, and learning in a collaborative and diverse environment. The Community Aide is expected to assist in the success of a customer service model, and engage in community building in ways that respect the demonstrated needs of the apartment community members. As a communication link between residents and the Housing Administration, the Community Aide encourages responsible behavior, assists in mediating conflicts, assesses the needs of the community and creates a plan of action, strives to develop supportive relationships with residents, and reports facility conditions. Supervision is provided by the Northwood Assistant Apartment Manager.

Time Commitment
The time commitment is 20 hours per week for the duration of the appointment. Additional hours of outside employment must be approved in advance by the supervisor. The Community Aide must be available for weekly staff meetings (Tuesday evenings, 6-8 p.m.), all training sessions, and a mid-year Saturday retreat in January or February, and other meetings as arranged; child care is not provided.

Eligibility Requirements
The Northwood III staff positions are open to single students, both undergraduate and graduate students. The Northwood I-II-IV-V staff positions are open to married students, spouses and domestic partners of students, and single graduate students. For more eligibility details view the Application Process.

Employment Period
The dates of employment are outlined in the letter of appointment that is signed by each Community Aide at the time of the position offer. The 12-month position in Northwood III will be from May 1, 2007 - April 28, 2008. The 12-month positions in the Family and Graduate areas will be from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. The 9-month positions in Northwood III will be from August 10, 2007 - April 28, 2008. Each year current Community Aides may re-apply for an additional year, pending eligibility and a performance review.

Staff Apartment
It is expected that the staff member serve as Community Aide for the entire contract period, and to occupy the assigned Community Aide apartment for the duration of the contract period.The staff apartments are unfurnished with the exception of the Northwood III staff apartments which are semi-furnished. If the Community Aide contract is terminated by University Housing, then you must vacate the staff apartment and relocate to another unit. University Housing is not responsible for any transfer fees or charges related to the relocation. If a staff member decides to leave the Community Aide position prior to the end of the contract, that individual is bound by the Housing lease/contract requirements and is responsible for proper notification to the Housing Information Office as well as any cancellation fees.

Remuneration
Since the Community Aide position is a live-in position, Housing Administration will provide an on-site apartment, internet connectivity, one Northwood Housing parking permit, and air conditioning for the duration of the staff contract.

A home business that involves apartment modification (such as a home daycare) cannot be run out of a staff apartment. Other home businesses that do not involve facility modifications may be allowed but must be approved by the hiring supervisor in advance.

Training, accountability and meetings: This appointment is contingent upon maintaining and enforcing the provision of the University Housing contract as well as the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities, the Community Living Standards, and all other University of Michigan rules and regulations. All staff must attend and fully participate in the staff training program and Welcome to Michigan, including evenings and weekends. The training sessions are required therefore during the training periods, staff are expectedto be fully committed to the training expectations. Staff should not plan to be out of town, working other jobs, or taking on any other commitments during the training times. All staff are required to attend and participate in staff meetings on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 p.m. throughout the year and other in-service sessions as scheduled. No academic or other commitments should be made during these time periods that would prevent attendance at training events in a prompt and timely manner.

Undergraduate applicants:
All undergraduate applicants must achieve the following by the end of Winter Term 2007:

• Completion of at least 4 terms of course work on a college or university campus (not including summers);
  
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, without rounding. This requirement must be met both at the end of Fall Term and at the end of Winter Term.

Graduate and Graduate Level Professional Degree applicants:
All applicants in graduate programs or graduate professional degree programs must achieve the following by the end of Winter Term:

Good academic standing, which is defined as a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.0 on an 8.0 scale, or 5.5 on a 9.0 scale (both without rounding). This requirement must be met both at the end of Fall Term and at the end of Winter Term.

Note to All Applicants
GPAs will be checked at the end of the Fall term and the Winter term. Applicants who fail to meet the minimum GPA requirement at the end of Fall term will not be allowed to continue in the Selection process. New-hires who fail to meet these requirements at the end of Winter term will no longer be eligible for a staff position. Incoming transfer students may be asked to present their transcripts from previously attended schools.

Undergraduate resident staff must be enrolled for at least 6 credits each semester they are employed. Graduate resident staff (Masters/Certificates) must be enrolled for at least 6 credits each semester they are employed. Ph.D. resident staff must provide proof of enrollment each semester they are employed. (By accepting this position, you are granting University Housing the authority to obtain either academic transcripts, grade reports, or make contact with your academic department.)

University Housing is required to notify the office of Financial Aid of all staff appointments. You are encouraged to consult a Financial Aid Counselor to learn if the compensation received as a function of your employment will affect your specific financial aid package.

Goals of the Community Aide Program
For many students and their families, living in University Housing is the first time that they will meet individuals from different social, economic, ethnic, religious backgrounds, or sexual orientation*. As University Housing staff members, we embrace the "Living at Michigan Credo" (as stated in the Community Living at Michigan) and try to create a climate of sharing, understanding, sensitivity, and tolerance of others. The Community Aide program is designed to help individuals feel welcome and respected, rather than excluded, harassed, or uncomfortable.

Community Aides are a staff of twelve residents chosen to help promote a sense of belonging in their respective neighborhoods. Each staff member works with residents in a defined apartment area that includes about 140 apartments. Community Aides can make a big difference in the Northwood experience. They help residents become familiar with area resources, introduce neighbors to each other, plan local activities, and mediate misunderstandings. They also deliver notices to residents, respond to complaints, share information about services, and assist in enforcing policies. It is important to have a strong interest in community involvement, as well as to enjoy actively meeting neighbors and helping them become comfortable in the community. A Community Aide's work places a high priority on creativity, respect for individual lifestyles and values, personal organization, cultural awareness and sensitivity, effective communication, and - most of all - a connection with residents.

*gender identity and gender expression

Personal and Community Development
The Community Aide staff helps residents find a balance between the needs of their individual lifestyles and the needs of the Northwood community. Community Aides work to help residents benefit from this learning-centered residential community by engaging in one-on-one interactions, and collaborating with residents and staff to provide programs and services. While demonstrating positive role model behavior, Community Aides mediate interpersonal or community conflicts and refer residents to local resources as needed. Through this involvement, a great deal of personal skill building can occur, as well as an appreciation for the development of the neighborhood as a whole.

Academic and Leadership Development
The Northwood community plays an important role in supporting the academic progress of residents. We try to provide a positive and supportive atmosphere in which residents can relax and study comfortably. By providing leadership and development opportunities that explore educational and cultural themes, we encourage residents to continue to learn about themselves and others, in the comfort of their own neighborhoods. Community Aides can act as peer role models who manage to balance academics, family life, work, and community involvement.

Evaluation
Each Community Aide is directly evaluated by the Assistant Apartment Manager. The purpose of the evaluation is (1) to provide constructive feedback to each staff member and (2) assist the staff member in improving his/her performance. Additionally, residents are invited to offer feedback on an ongoing basis. Each Community Aide meets regularly with their supervisor for individual assessment of performance on a monthly basis throughout the year.

Time Away
Resident staff cannot function effectively in their roles if they are unavailable to residents for extended periods of time. Time Away can be arranged with prior supervisory approval. Staff coverage is expected during University Holiday times including Fall Break, Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and Spring Break and will be rotated amongst the staff members. Time away should not be planned during August or during other specified dates. Requests for personal time away will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Expectations of Community Aides
Community Aide staff members are hard working and dedicated to improving the quality of life in the community. These individuals should display sincerity and willingness to listen and a concern for others. They should be active community members who contribute to their neighborhoods and help others to get involved. It is critical that they regard the diverse beliefs, lifestyles, cultures, and values of others as assets to our community. In addition, all staff should be aware that University Housing provides a "living-learning environment" in which education is viewed as a life-long process that continues well beyond the formal classroom. Academic and professional development goes hand-in-hand with personal growth and self-awareness, and the possibilities, therefore, outside the traditional classroom are endless. Additionally:

• Seek to be a role model for residents in professional, academic, and personal behavior. Act with integrity, honesty, and ethics.
  
• Demonstrate a commitment to building a feeling of respect, compassion, and community.
  
• Be responsive to inquiries from residents, using available resources to help as possible.
  
• Model a commitment to supporting multiculturalism and differing lifestyles.
  
• Protect the rights and safety of the community by consistently enforcing Community Living Standards.
  
• Be available for personal interaction with residents, training, staff meetings, planning and implementing programs, and committee support.
  
• Communicate openly and respectfully.

Responsibilities

Advising

Community Building

Administration

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed in the Community Aide position. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. University Housing administration reserves the right to amend responsibilities to meet changing organizational needs.