Over 650 regular staff and hundreds of part-time student positions sustain the facilities, services, and programs that support the University's residential communities. We hope you'll join the Housing team!

UNDERGRADUATE: MLC – LLOYD SCHOLARS FOR WRITING AND THE ARTS 2021-2022

INTRODUCTION

Lloyd Scholars for Writing and the Arts is a Michigan Living-Learning Community (MLC) whose focus is writing and creative expression through the arts.  Students in LSWA represent every discipline and academic major, but share in common a love for creating art, in all its forms:  poetry, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, theater, spoken word, photography, music, drawing/painting/multi-media art – just to name a few.

LSWA students live together in Alice Lloyd Hall and take LSWA classes here.  All first-year

students are required to enroll in a LSWA 125 introductory writing class taught by Sweetland Writing Center instructors in the Fall term and one other LSWA course in the Winter term. Students are also required to participate in co-curricular programming that reinforces the idea of learning outside the classroom and also highlights the diversity of ideas, talents, and experiences of our students, our faculty, and the professional artists and writers who are invited to engage with our community.  LSWA Student Leaders – Resident Advisors, Creative Mentors, and Student Assistants – provide guidance and support to our first-year students and they work together to build a warm and close-knit community where everyone feels that they belong.  Leaders also run our LSWA weekly clubs, which further help to foster creative expression in all its forms.

TIME COMMITMENT

Resident Advisors who have accepted positions in LSWA work 25 hours per week, 20 of which are designated for the general/traditional Resident Advisor role and 5 for LSWA activities, such as co-leading or organizing LSWA writing- and arts-themed clubs, meetings, community-building events, and program training.  If the program RA (or any Resstaff) participate in extracurricular activities outside of their appointment that may have the potential of interfering with their ability and willingness to perform the full range of responsibilities associated with their appointment, such as an additional appointment or job, an outside committee, or participation on a sports team or sorority or fraternity, they are expected to discuss this with their supervisor (Hall Director) in advance. The supervisor, in consultation with Residence Education central staff and HR, will determine if there is a potential conflict of commitment and how to address such conflict.

RESPONSIBILITIES

In addition to fulfilling their responsibilities to assist and support students on their floors, in their halls, and within the entire building – as outlined in the UM Housing Resident Advisor job description and contract – each LSWA Resident Advisor is required to fulfill the following LSWA responsibilities:

  • Programming: Resident Advisors, often in collaboration with other program leaders, will plan activities and events that are inclusive and help to cultivate a sense of community among our student cohort.  These programs may have an academic, cultural, recreational, service, DEI, or social/fun/entertainment focus, or may simply be arts- or writing-based, focusing on creative expression.
  • Clubs: RAs will lead LSWA writing- and art-themed clubs.
  • Mentoring: RAs will also act as mentors and resources to the entire community, guiding and supporting students, answering questions, and making referrals.
  • Administration: There are also administrative responsibilities, such as attending meetings, completing reports, committee work, and program training, all of which are outlined in the Resident Advisor job description and in the LSWA Student Leadership Handbook
  • Recruitment: RAs may also assist with recruitment for the following year’s students
  • Communications: A key feature of any leadership position, RAs will keep Resstaff and LSWA supervisors informed of student needs and concerns

ELIGIBILITY

To be considered for the (Resstaff) RA position, candidates must meet eligibility requirements as outlined in the Traditional RA job description.

SUPERVISION

LSWA RAs are co-supervised by the Hall Director and the LSWA Administrative Coordinator.  The LSWA Program Director is also involved in supervision of the RA.

COMPENSATION

As the LHSP RA position exceeds 20 hours, this position includes a stipend.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: (734) 764‐7521 or www.lsa.umich.edu/lswa