Duty Overview

As an RA you are responsible for picking up the cell phone from a specific location chosen by your AHD at 4:30 PM. each night that you are on call. At this time, you should call the Area Hall Director on Duty from your duty cell phone. Call ins should take place during 4:15-4:29 PM time window. Between 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM, RAs on Duty may be anywhere on North Central College’s campus. At 7:00 PM, RAs are required to be in their residence hall area. RAs are to complete three rounds per evening during the week (7:00, 10:00, and midnight, Sunday – Thursday) and a fourth round on the weekends (2:00 AM, Friday & Saturday).  

While on duty, RAs complete rounds, which help ensure the safety and security of the residence halls. Rounds also serve as a time for RAs to be visible to residents who may have questions or concerns. General requirements of rounds are to check for maintenance issues, propped doors, residence hall policy violations, common area damages, student health/safety concerns, etc.  

Remember that we are not policing. We are building community and keeping everyone safe. Your presence alone will not only deter people from violating policy, but it will help build a strong community.  

Between 4:15- 4:29 PM Pick up the duty phone from the office and call the AHD on Duty (630.816.5298)  

7:00 PM You should be in your building/area  

7:00 PM Round 1  

10:00 PM Round 2  

12:00 AM Round 3  

2:00 AM Round 4 ONLY on Fridays and Saturdays  

8:00 AM IRs should be done and submitted by this time (most IRs should be completed and submitted immediately following the incident)  

8:00 AM Duty phone should be returned to Area Hall Director office  

8:00 AM Duty Log should be done/turned in 

What to check while on rounds: 

• Laundry Rooms  

• Stairwells 

• Lounges 

• Bathrooms 

• Check for concerns/breaking policies 

• Remember to announce yourself before entering Resident Assistant Handbook 12 

• Check fire extinguishers and cases 

• Check if broken, maintenance issues, trash in casing 

• Public area window screens 

• Check outside of buildings for fallen screens, anything unusual, etc. 

• Un-prop doors 

• Put in any maintenance issues you see while on rounds 

• Take down outdated publicity
  Stop and talk to residents 

• Stop and talk to other RAs 

• Make sure that you are in the right mind and attitude to respond or document at any time if the situation arises 

• Bring note pad to take notes while documenting situations, or bring phone to take notes and photos if the situation warrants 

To ensure that an appropriate number of staff are within the halls during break periods, RAs are required to stay for Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, and Spring Break. RAs will participate in a duty rotation for these periods during which time they will be responsible for checking in with the AHD on Duty for the evening and making rounds in the buildings/areas. Any exceptions must be approved by the Director of Residence Life.