Thank you to all of those who have submitted an application to become a Muskoka Residence Don for 2012-2013!

 

Muskoka Residence Don Hiring Timeline 2012-2013.pdfMuskoka Residence Don Hiring Timeline 2012-2013.pdf

 

Nipissing University Residence Philosophy 2012-2013

 

Nipissing University is a small residential institution with approximately 1050 students, largely first year, living within our residence system.  The University believes that first year students benefit greatly from the opportunity to live within the residence system and that their transition from High School to University is much easier as a result.  Consequently, the environment and programs in the residence focus on helping students deal with this transition as well as generally facilitating the development of students outside of the classroom.

 

For many years, university residences were known as dormitories and were thought of primarily as places to eat and sleep.  As educators began to assess the impact of the total campus experiences on the education of young adults, residences became a focus for educational experiences that complement formal classroom instruction.

 

Students attending Nipissing University, like the majority of students everywhere, are undergoing a period of intense personal growth during their years at University.  They are establishing their own value systems, changing attitudes, exploring career goals, gaining new beliefs, developing social and interpersonal skills, learning new skills and gaining academic competence.  Educational research indicates that much of the personal growth and academic development of students occurs in a residential setting which is conducive to discussion and close interaction with peers of different academic programs, lifestyles, values, socioeconomic levels, races, religions and career goals.

 

The broad mission of residence life is to build a sense of community within our residence system, which facilitates the personal growth, and academic development of students.  The University attempts to achieve this mission by:
 
  • Providing a safe, comfortable, quality environment in which students may live and study
  • Selecting and developing staff committed to the concept of residential education and academic excellence
  • Developing programs that help first year students with their transition, both academically and socially, to university life
  • Providing opportunities for social interaction amongst students in the residence so that they can learn from each other
  • Developing residence programs that ensure that students explore and question their attitudes and beliefs and provide them with the opportunity for personal and academic growth
  • Developing policies, regulations and procedures based primarily upon the philosophy of student government while at the same time recognizing the University’s role in safety, security and the protection of rights
  • Providing and encouraging the opportunity for participation in student self-government and in the residence decision making process
  • Being a resource for faculty and administration for information about student lifestyles, interests and problems through residence and communication within the residence system.

 

  Muskoka Residence Don Job Description

General Accountability

The Residence Don reports directly to the Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services, at the Muskoka Campus Residence. This is a student staff position responsible for assisting with various aspects of building administration and Residence Life.

Basic Function

The responsibilities of a Residence Don are to promote the mission and goals of Residence Life here at Nipissing University, Muskoka Campus, to ensure that the Residence Community Living Standards (RCLS) are followed, and to serve as an advisor and friend to students on their floor and throughout the Residence system. Specific responsibilities follow under the main categories of: Residence Life, Supervising Residents, Programming and Initiatives, Facilities and Emergency Management Duties and Administrative Duties.

* Returning Residence Dons are expected to act as a mentor and role model for new Dons. As well as share their Residence Life experience with new staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Assist the Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka, with the facilitation of the Residence Life Program.
  2. Assist in the supervision of residents.
  3. Facilitate programming and staff development projects and initiatives.
  4. Complete facilities and emergency management duties as required.
  5. Complete administrative duties as assigned.

Facilitation of Residence Life Program

For students, the residence becomes a substitute home for almost eight months of the year.  Most of the students that live within our residence are entering their first year and this is likely their first time away from home for an extended period of time.  It is your responsibility to help facilitate their transition. In particular you are expected to do this by:
 
  1. Modeling a balance of academic and lifestyle choices that demonstrate a focus on education and personal development. Setting an example as a role model by attending classes regularly, passing in assignments on time, encouraging acceptable social behavior and being seen to abide by the RCLS and the NU Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities.
  2. Develop mentoring relationships with students and sharing with them the benefit of your residence and university experience.
  3. Being sensitive to the needs of each student on your floor and foster a positive and friendly atmosphere in your community.
  4. Dons must make every effort to speak with each member of their floor at least once per week. 
  5. Assist with roommate/floor-mate conflicts and mediations.
  6. Being aware of the resources available to students in residence and on campus. Making this information available to residents.
  7. Having an open door policy and being available to residents from your floor whenever possible.
  8. Encouraging participation in the academic, social and athletic activities of the residence.
  9. Attending and being a positive presence at Residence events.
  10. Dons are required to attend all floor meetings.  Dons are expected to attend full-building residence programs, unless previous arrangements have been made with your Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka. 
  11. Work as a member of the Residence Life Staff Team.
  12. Attend weekly two hour Don Team meetings.
  13. Participate in the Don hiring process for the year following appointment. The selection process traditionally occurs at the end of January or early February.

 

Supervise Residents

This part of the job of Residence Don can sometimes demand much time and effort.  However, if you invest some time in the first two responsibilities, you will find that you minimize your disciplinary role substantially.

  1. Set the standards at the beginning of the year along with the other Residence Dons and the Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka.
  2. At the start of the school year, very clearly explain to your floor what the standards are and why they are important.
  3. Emphasize that regulations are designed to protect the rights and property of students as well as those of the University, and to make the residence as safe and comfortable as possible.  
  4. Emphasize that if students do not follow the standards then you will be obligated to inform the Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka.
  5. Report all student issues to the Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka, using the proper documentation.
  6. Know, observe and enforce all the rules and regulations of the residence environment as outlined in the Residence Community Living Standards.
  7. Know and execute emergency procedures including evacuation procedures.
  8. Adhere to policy decisions made by the Department, Residence Life Management Team, Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka, and the University.

Programming, Special Projects and Initiatives

  1. Dons must make every effort to speak with each member of their floor at least once per week. 
  2. Dons are responsible for organizing social activities on their floor to ensure that students interact and get to know one another. Specifically, each Don is required to complete the requirements as outlined in the Residence Don Programming Model.
  3. Dons are required to post and have available for distribution community and campus resource materials for their residents.
  4. Dons are required to support all programming initiatives throughout the residence which could include programs organized by other Residence Dons, the Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka or the Residence Social Committee.
  5. Assist with residence tours or other responsibilities pertaining to perspective student events, programs or functions.
 Facilities and Emergency Management Duties
  1. Report Damages or Maintenance issues that need to be addressed, by filing a maintenance request.
  2. Assist the Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka, in maintaining an accurate duty board that indicates who the Don(s) On Duty is (are) and how they can be reached.
  3. Assume full responsibility for master keys and Key Management System peg as outlined in the Residence Don Key Contract.
  4. Assist the Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka, Security Services, the Police, Fire Department and other authorities as directed in emergency situations.
  5. Relaying to the Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka, any concerns related to local phone service, television cable service, or residence network (computer) service.
 Administrative Duties
  1. Assist with check in and check out procedure as assigned.
  2. Assist in the administration of surveys and feedback processes as directed by the Department.
  3. Other duties as assigned by the Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka, or the Director of Residence and Conference Services.

 

Terms of Appointment and Remuneration

 

Conditions of Employment
  • All Residence Dons are expected to have (at the time of appointment in March and at the time of confirmation when final marks become available in May) and maintain a minimum average of 65% during the term of their employment, and must be in good academic standing.  Failure to achieve or maintain this average could result in the termination of your employment.  
  • All Residence Dons must be certified in Standard First Aid, CPR level C and present a Criminal Record Check by the time that they arrive for Residence Dons’ Training in August.
  • Residence Dons must maintain full time student status.
  • Residence Dons must live in a residence facility operated by Residence and Conference Services.
  • Residence Dons are subject to the terms outlined in the Residence Contract and all policies outlined in the RCLS.
  • Residence Dons must maintain good financial standing with Nipissing University.
  • Residence Dons must maintain complete confidentiality as outlined in the Residence Don Confidentiality Agreement.
  • Residence Dons cannot hold this position with any other residence student staff position.

 

Terms of Employment
·         A Residence Don is permitted to be away one weekend per month and must let their Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka know in writing in advance.
·         All Dons will be required to remain in residence until the end of the first week of exams in December. At least one Don must remain in residence until 24 hours after the last December exam. 
·         All Dons must remain in residence until at least 24 hours after the last exam in April.  No Don may leave residence overnight during the months of September, December, or April without the permission of the Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka. 
·         Dons are required to check in daily between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Residence Office so that communication flows continually between all staff.
·         Each Residence Don must coordinate a bi-weekly meeting time with the Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka.
·         All Dons must attend at least one two hour meeting every week, which is to be arranged between the Dons and the Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka.
·         All Dons must meet the requirements set out for All Don’s Meetings and In-Service sessions as scheduled by the Residence Life Management Team.
·         The Muskoka Residence Don team is required to establish a duty roster/schedule in conjunction with their Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka that will include a minimum of one Don On Duty from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday evenings, and a minimum of one Dons On Duty Friday and Saturday evenings, and a minimum of one Don On Duty during the day on Saturday and Sunday.
·         The Muskoka Residence Don team must maintain an accurate duty board that indicates who the Don(s) On Duty is and how they can be reached.
·         Dons must ensure that the Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services in Muskoka is made aware of all changes to the duty roster/schedule.
·         Dons are expected to be available to their residents, particularly in the evening hours.  Dons are required to be in their suite for 2 evenings per week (between Sunday and Thursday) for a minimum of 4 hours per night. These evening availability hours can be combined with being scheduled to be on-duty. Dons are permitted to be away from residence one weekend per month.
·         The Residence Don must refrain from consuming any amount of alcohol or prohibited substances from the Friday prior to move in weekend until the Monday following the first week of school.

 

Grounds for Termination
  • Includes but are not limited to, failure to maintain an academic average of 65 percent or higher; failure to maintain full-time student status; misuse or lose of master keys; failure to adhere to the Residence Don Contract. Failure to fulfill the responsibilities of being a Residence Don as outlined in this job description. Failure to follow and adhere to University or Residence Policies will result in disciplinarily action that may result in termination of the Residence Don Contract.
Remuneration
  • During the eight month contract the Residence Don will receive their residence fees (including local phone, internet and cable) as a taxable benefit.

 

How to Apply
  1. Complete a Muskoka Residence Don Application.
  2. Plan to attend a Residence Don Information Session scheduled for December. More detailed information about the Residence Don position will be provided at this time, along with information about the selection process and an opportunity to ask questions from Residence Management and current Residence Dons.
  3. Prepare a cover letter and resume listing relevant experience.
  4. Contact people to act as a reference for you.  Two references are required.  Provide them with a copy of the Residence Don Reference Form and have them return it directly to the Selection Committee. 
  5. One person must be an academic reference (e.g., high school teacher or advisor, Nipissing Professor, staff member, College Professor).  Please note that current Nipissing University Residence and Conference Services Staff (including Residence Dons) cannot act as a reference for you.
  6. The other external reference should be a previous employer, supervisor, teacher, or coach.  A reference from a volunteer experience is also welcome.
  7. Prepare a 1 to 2 page (typed, double spaced) response to the following questions (please answer all questions):
    • 1. In your opinion, what is the role of a Residence Don at Nipissing University, and what characteristics do you possess that would help you successfully fill this role?
    • 2. Based on the Duties and Responsibilities section of the Muskoka Residence Don Application Package, what aspects would you enjoy the most and why?  What aspects would you find most challenging and why?
    • 3. List 3 new events/programs that you would implement as a Residence Don, and then provide a detailed description of one of them.

***Reapplying Residence Dons: DO NOT answer the above questions please see the Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services for your application questions***

·        Submit your completed Muskoka Residence Don 2012-2013 Application, cover letter, resume and question responses by Friday, January 20, 2012 at 4:00 p.m.

·        Ensure that your academic and external references have submitted their letters by Friday, January 20, 2012 at 4:00 p.m.

·        All applications and reference materials are to be submitted to:

Residence Don Selection Committee, Muskoka

c/o Residence and Conference Services, Nipissing University

119 Wellington Street, Bracebridge, Ontario.  P1L 1E2

 

Or fax in confidence to:

(705) 645-6678 Attention: Residence Don Selection Committee, Muskoka

with cover page stating “Residence Don Reference, Muskoka – Name of Applicant”

 

Or e-mail in confidence to:

residence@nipissingu.ca

with subject title “Residence Don Reference, Muskoka – Name of Applicant”

 

If you require further information about the Muskoka Residence Don 2012-2013 application process, please feel free to contact the following Residence Life Supervisor:

 

RebeccaEyers

Supervisor, Residence Life & Conference Services

705 645-6999 ext. 7299