A Graduate Resident Assistant is a graduate student with prior Student Affairs experience. GRAs are responsible for assisting in the development of a supportive, functioning environment within the apartments. This involves helping to create a climate that is conducive to academic achievement, good scholarship and intellectual stimulation as well as helping students make preparation for the transition from college to the "real" world.

A Resident Assistant is an upper class student who has been trained to plan activities and programs, help build hall community, help other students deal with problems and stay within College guidelines, and assist in the growth and development of well-rounded students. RAs are social, optimistic, enthusiastic and they are the life blood of the Residential Life Staff. They are also involved in most academic and co-curricular areas of the Nazareth community. To name a few, our RAs are Dean's List students, play varsity sports, and are active in the Partners for Learning Program. Their majors range from Social Work to Economics. This is our long-winded way of saying our RAs are friendly, competent and diverse. Please take advantage of your RA's efforts to create a positive community. If your RA cannot help you deal with an issue or answer a question, he or she will refer you to the appropriate resource person.

The Department of Residential Life offers several opportunities for students to find employment. We have students working in our office as support staff. We are responsible for supervision of the Student Mailroom where you receive your mail and pick up all packages, except express mail. The Game Room in Lourdes is also under our jurisdiction. We participate in the annual Job Fair, so check us out if you need campus employment. We work hard, but we are friendly and have lots of fun. Occasionally you can find a doughnut or some other goodie in our office. You will always find a nice smiling face with lots of answers or a ready referral.

The Residence Hall Council is responsible for planning activities and programs and serves as the governing body for the halls. Each floor elects a representative to the Council. The floor representatives are responsible for gathering the opinion of the students of his/her floor and providing feedback. The Hall Council representative can call floor meetings to discuss issues of concern to residents and to announce upcoming events. Council reps are elected at the beginning of the semester. Your council can only be as active as you make it, get involved!

Special Interest Housing is a floor, suite, or house where students with similar interests live, study, and socialize together. These spaces are created where a group of undergraduates sharing a common interest come together with a commitment to learn and live together. Special Interest Houses and Floors are communities created and continued by students with the support and involvement of academic departments and faculty members. Such spaces provide environments that encourage in-depth exploration of academic disciplines and/or special interests. The interests served by special interest housing are as diverse as the student population at Nazareth College.