Community Advisors & House Assistants

Being in a student leadership role is important to your personal development, and it looks phenomenal on a resume. Where else can you develop skills in mediation, conflict resolution, and obtain the abilities to assess and effectively manage situations?  If you are personable and love to engage and build communities, then the Community Advisor & House Assistant positions are perfect for you.

The Office of Residence Life conducts a series of informational sessions for all students interested in  HA/CA positions. These sessions are held in random locations and at a series of different times (just to make sure you can fit it somewhere in your schedule). This is your first step.  Make sure you attend the session, sign-in, and ask any questions you may have. If you are not able to make a session and would like information about the position and the process, please contact the Office of Residence Life & Housing at reslife@drew.edu or 973-408-3394.

Requirements

• Good academic and social standing.
• Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and a 2.3 each semester (first-year students must have both).
• Students cannot be on probation for a policy violation.

Additional Details

If you are offered a position, check with the Student Accounts Office and Financial Aid to make sure that the CA position will not interfere with your Financial Aid packages.

Each applicant must submit two reference forms with their application. If you are an on-campus resident, one of your references must be completed by your current RA

I do not have a resume.  Where can I get help?

The Center for Internships and Career Development can assist: Center for Internships and Career Development.

I am a first-year student in the fall semester and don’t have a GPA yet, can I still apply?

Yes, by the time we review all the applications after the due date during the spring semester you will have a GPA to review.

I missed the application deadline, can I still be considered for the CA Position?

No, submitting a fully completed application is crucial to moving forward in the process. Late submissions will not be accepted. Please make sure to include reference forms. If your references are submitted past the deadline, your application will be considered incomplete and you will not be moving on to the next stage of the process.

Can I still apply if I plan to study abroad in the Spring semester?

No, while we want our students to be able to enjoy all the opportunity Drew has to offer, the position requires you to stay in the role for a full academic year.

If I have been documented or have gone through the student conduct process can I still be considered for a position?

This may not disqualify you from the process. Every situation is different. Please consult with the Office of Student Conduct, located in EC 147, in order to discuss it further and see if your case disqualifies you from the selection process or not.

Will the RA compensation package of room and partial meal plan affect my financial aid package?

Every individual’s financial aid package is different. The CA compensation can affect your ability to maintain your work-study position or other aid that you receive.  The Department of Residence Life & Housing strong recommends that all RA applicants contact theOffice of Financial Aidto determine the effect that accepting an RA position will have on their financial aid package.

What can I expect at the CA/HA Interview?

As long as all application materials are submitted on time and academic/conduct requirements are met, all CA applicants will receive an interview. Interviews may last anywhere from 30-35 minutes.  CA candidates are interviewed by a Student Engagement Professional Staff Member , the Associate Dean of Student Engagement or both. The House Assistant position (HA) is interviewed by the coordinator overseeing the theme houses. You can expect to be asked questions pertaining to your interest in the role, the legacy you’d like to leave on campus, leadership skills, engaging a community, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. The interviewers will take notes on your responses. The first five minutes of the interview should be a presentation focusing on who the candidate is and how they plan to build community if offered the position.

How should I dress for my interview?

Business casual—wear an outfit that puts displays your preparation.

I heard you can be an Alternate CA, what does that mean?

Individuals who are selected to be an alternate are candidates who are qualified but were not offered a position. If there are openings for the fall or spring semester, those on the alternate list will have their application automatically reviewed again during the academic year they applied for.

What is an CA?

CAs or Community Advisors are student leaders. They strive to make your experience at Drew the best possible. The roles of an CA are varied and numerous. They are a select group of the student leaders at Drew University dedicated to enriching the lives of their fellow Drew students. Their roles and tasks include but are not limited to:

• Communicating University goals, expectations and community standards to members of the community.

• Developing purposeful educational, community service, social and curricular programs.

• Promoting mutual respect and understanding in a diverse and open community.

• Mediating and resolving conflicts.

• Advising students about University resources.

• Acting as a liaison between students and other University offices.

What are HAs?

HAs or House Assistants, help create a community in Drew’s five themed housing options. HAs have similar roles to CA’s with the addition of promoting and communicating their house’s theme across campus.

The five theme houses are:

• Spirituality House:A house for people interested in spirituality and religion.

• ABC (African-Black-Caribbean) House:A house for people interested in the spirit, history, and culture of Pan-Africanism.

• WoCo A Feminist House: A house focused on helping Drew students turn their feminist passions into feminist action. The house works alongside the Women’s & Gender Studies Department to educate the community on what it means to advocate for intersectional feminism.

• La Casa Latina:A community for those who believe that Latin culture is rich, alive, and worthy of recognition inside and outside of Drew University.

• Art House:A house centered around appreciating, creating, and uplifting all kinds of art, no matter what the medium.

You can find out more about these houses here:Special Interest Housing.