RA & CA POSITIONS
RA/CA applications are open from November 7, 2025 to January 5, 2026 at 11:59AM MT!
The Office of Residence Life (ORL) Student Staff Selection Committee is accepting Resident Advisor (RA) and Community Advisor (CA) applications for the fall 2026/spring 2027 academic year! University of Utah students who are interested in applying should review the information on this page carefully, attend an information session, pass the information session knowledge check on Canvas, and submit a fully completed application by January 5, 2026, at 11:59AM MT.
RA/CA Position Highlights and Detailed Descriptions
Resident Advisors (RAs)
- RAs are assigned to a floor/house/building residential community.
- RAs serve their community by facilitating a cooperative, considerate and welcoming group living environment.
- RAs work directly with residents daily through guidance and support and regularly coordinating events to build community.
- RAs also support ORL’s department initiatives and events throughout the academic year.
- Resident Advisor (RA) Position Description
Community Advisors (CAs)
- CAs are assigned to a group of residential communities comprised of several buildings.
- CAs serve their community by ensuring safe and respectful group living environments.
- CAs regularly work with residents, supporting residents in understanding and complying with ORL policies within residential communities, and responding to time-sensitive residential needs.
- CAs also support ORL’s department initiatives and events throughout the academic year.
- Community Advisor (CA) Position Description
Eligibility Requirements for Applicants
Must complete 1 of the following 2 mandatory RA/CA Information Session options:
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- Option 1: Attend 1 live "RA/CA Information Session" on Zoom between November 14, 2025 - December 2, 2025, AND pass the "RA/CA Information Session Zoom Knowledge Check" on Canvas within 48 hours of attending the Information Session.
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- Option 2: Complete the "RA/CA Information Session Module" on Canvas AND pass the "RA/CA Information Session Module Knowledge Check" on Canvas (opens November 5, 2025, at 5:00PM MT and closes January 5, 2025, at 11:59AM MT).
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- See the “Mandatory Information Sessions” section on the “RA and CA Positions website” for dates, times, and registration links.
- Must submit a fully completed “2026-2027 ORL Student Staff Application” through the Housing U portal by January 5, 2026, at 11:59 AM MT.
- Must be able to attend an in-person, on-campus interview January 20-23, 2026, between 8:00AM and 5:00PM MT.
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- A small number of virtual interviews may be available for candidates experiencing extenuating circumstances upon request. Requests should be sent to slselection@housing.utah.edu by Monday, January 5, 2025 at 5:00PM MT. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case situation and are not guaranteed to be approved.
- Must have lived on campus in a facility managed by Housing and Dining Programs (HDP) at the University of Utah for 1 full semester by January 1, 2026.
- Must be enrolled as a full-time/part-time undergraduate student at the University of Utah students for the entirety of the Fall 2025/Spring 2026 academic year.
- Must have completed 2 full-time semesters at the University of Utah by August 1, 2026.
- Must maintain a minimum semester and cumulative 2.5 GPA. RAs serving in an Honors area must maintain a minimum semester and cumulative 3.5 GPA.
- Must remain free of any disciplinary sanctions imposed through the University conduct system in addition to local, state, and federal laws.
- Establish and remain in good financial standing with ORL and the University of Utah.
If selected as an RA/CA, for the entirety of the fall 2026/spring 2027 academic year:
- Must be able to serve as an RA/CA and complete all essential duties from August 4, 2025, to May 9, 2026.
- Must maintain full-time undergraduate student status of at least 12 and no more than 18 undergraduate credit hours. Graduate students are not eligible to apply.
- Must limit other University of Utah employment to 4.5 hours per week or less (including jobs with University of Utah Hospitals) and receive prior written approval from the RAs/CAs supervisor and the Coordinator for Residence Life Administration.
- Must limit extracurricular activities (e.g. clubs and organizations) to 10 hours per week or less and keep your supervisor informed of your current extracurricular involvement.
- During the appointment period, RAs and CAs are not permitted to hold executive leadership positions in RHA, NRHH, or Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU).
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- Must be able to attend all “Mandatory Dates” listed in the Resident Advisor (RA) Position Description / Community Advisor (CA) Position Description
Mandatory Information Sessions
Mandatory Information Sessions are a chance for candidates to learn more about the RA and CA roles. Mandatory Information Sessions are available in two formats this year:
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- Option 1: Live RA/CA Information Session on Zoom
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- Register to join ORL Staff for a live presentation that covers the RA and CA role, reviews the application process, and offers students the opportunity to ask questions in real time.
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- Within 48 hours of attending the live "RA/CA Information Session" on Zoom, candidates must pass the "RA/CA Information Session Zoom Knowledge Check"on Canvas.
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- Please note that attendance will be taken at the beginning and end of each Live "RA/CA Information Session" on Zoom.
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- Candidates unable to attend a live "RA/CA Information Session" on Zoom should complete option 2, details provided below.
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- Option 2: Asynchronous RA/CA Information Session Module on Canvas
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- Enroll in the "ORL RA/CA Information Sessions (for New Applicants)" Canvas course to watch a (asynchronous) recorded presentation that covers the RA and CA role, and reviews the application process (opens November 14, 2025, at 5:00PM MT).
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- Complete the “RA/CA Information Session Module” by watching the full recording and passing the “RA/CA Information Session Module Knowledge Check” by January 5, 2026, at 11:59 AM MT.
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- Questions should be directed to slselection@housing.utah.edu.
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| Date | Time (MT) | Option | Location | Link |
| Friday, November 14, 2025 | 2:00PM - 3:00PM | Live Virtual | Zoom | Register with your uNID@utah.edu |
| Wednesday, November 19, 2025 | 11:00AM – 12:00PM | Live Virtual | Zoom | Register with your uNID@utah.edu |
| Monday, December 1, 2025 | 5:00PM – 6:00PM | Live Virtual | Zoom | Register with your uNID@utah.edu |
| Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | 11:00AM – 12:00PM | Live Virtual | Zoom | Register with your UNID@utah.edu |
| Monday, November 14, 2025 –
Monday, January 5, 2026 |
Opens at 5:00PM (on November 14, 2025) -
Closes at 11:59AM (on January 5, 2026) |
Asynchronous Virtual | Canvas | Enroll Here |
Timeline
| Event | Date |
| Application Opens | Friday, November 7, 2025 |
| Application Closes | Monday, January 5, 2026, at 11:59AM MT |
| Eligibility Check | Early January |
| Interview Timeslot Invitations Sent | Friday, January 9, 2026 |
| Interview Timeslot Sign Up Deadline | Wednesday, January 14, 2026 |
| New Candidate Interviews | Tuesday, January 20, 2026 – Friday, January 23, 2026, from 8:00AM – 5:00PM MT |
| Decision Letters Sent Out | Between Thursday, February 12, 2026 - Friday, February 20, 2026 |
| Offers Must Be Accepted | Within 1 business day |
How to Apply
Steps
- Log into CIS.
- Under the “Student” section, select “Student Homepage”.
- Click on the “Student Housing” tile.
- Select “Housing & Dining Programs” from the left-hand menu, then click “Housing U”.
- Click on the “ORL Student Staff Applications” tab, then click “2026-2027 Student Staff Application”.
Compensation and Student Staff Housing Options
- RAs/CAs receive credit via their Housing U account for the cost of their student staff room as assigned by ORL. Student staff are responsible for any fee associated with optional services requested (i.e. bed lofts).
- Swoop 15 Meal Plan.
- Student Engagement Fees waived.
Student staff may be placed in any Housing & Dining Programs (HDP) residential community. Below are the potential placements for ORL student staff for the fall 2026/spring 2027 academic year. All student staff are provided with a single bedroom (please note this single bedroom may be within a suite or apartment shared with other students and/or student staff). These options are subject to change based on staffing needs, availability, etc.
| Community | Position | Room | Bathroom |
| Benchmark Plaza | RAs, CAs | Single room in a 2-, 3-, or 4-person apartment | Shared bathroom with apartment mates |
| Chapel Glen | RAs, CAs | Single room in a 2-person suite | Shared bathroom with suitemate |
| Gateway Heights | RAs, CAs | Single room | Private bathroom |
| Impact and Prosperity Epicenter | RAs, CAs | Single room | Shared bathroom with end cap residents
OR Shared bathroom with single/double residents |
| Kahlert Village | RAs, CAs
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Single room in “suites” area
OR Single room in “cluster” area |
Private bathroom
OR Shared bathroom with cluster |
| Lassonde Studios | CAs Only | Single room | Shared floor bathroom |
| Marriott Honors Community | RAs Only
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Single room in a 4- or 8-person apartment | Private bathroom |
| Officers Circle | RAs Only | Single room in a 10–14-person house | Private bathroom |
| Sage Point | RAs, CAs | Single room in a 2-person suite | Shared bathroom with suitemate |
| Shoreline Ridge | RAs, CAs | Single room in a 2-, 3-, or 4-person apartment | Shared bathroom with apartment mates |
| Trailhead
(*Tentative, may change) |
RAs only* | Single room in “cluster” area* | Shared bathroom with cluster* |
Interested in being an RA for a Living Learning Community (LLC)? Check out the LLC descriptions below!
Bennion Service House, Officers Circle
- Open to all students who are committed to engaging with the community.
- You do not have to have prior community engagement experience, but a desire to learn more about community with other like-minded individuals.
- Residents of the Bennion Service House will examine their own community engagement work and participate in a variety of programs, projects, dialogues, and other engagements.
College of Engineering Floor, Kahlert Village STEM Tower
- Residents are first-year students who are hoping to pursue a degree in engineering.
- Residents of the Engineering floor work together to support each other through the rigors of their courses while deepening their connection to the College of Engineering faculty, staff, and opportunities.
College of Science Floor, Kahlert Village STEM Tower
- Residents are first-year students in science and mathematics majors.
- The college hosts events and unique opportunities for residents to find support and connections among their peers and within the College of Science.
Crocker Science House, Officers Circle
- Residents are upper-division students with a science major.
- The house environment will prompt deep inquiry and understanding into the physical and natural world.
Emma Eccles Jones Fine Arts House, Officers Circle
- Open to students enrolled in the College of Fine Arts.
- The Fine Arts house seeks to maximize talent and creativity among its community members.
- If you live in the house, you will interact with those who love both visual and performing arts.
- You will attend galleries, shows, recitals, and performances of your neighbors.
First Security Business House, Officers Circle
- Residents are first-year First Ascent Scholars aspiring to pursue business majors.
- This immersive environment fosters a strong sense of community among its residents, providing a supportive space to connect with peers, share experiences, and collaborate on academic endeavors.
- The Business House offers a range of benefits tailored to support students' academic and personal growth, ensuring a successful start to their college journey.
Honors First Year Community, Kahlert Village Honors Tower and Trailhead
- Residents are first-year students and a part of the Honors College.
- This community provides an essential foundation for all first year, on-campus students in the Honors College.
Honors Upper Division Communities, Marriott Honors Community and Officers Circle
- Residents are upper-division active members of the Honors College.
- Residents who live in the Honors Upper Division Communities have increased access to faculty, staff, and peer support as they pursue one of the most crucial points of their Honors degree.
- This support will help connect residents to research opportunities and provide an ideal environment highly conducive to academic pursuits.
Impact & Prosperity Epicenter
- Home to the Sorenson Impact Institute and the Center for Business, Health, and Prosperity, the Epicenter provides residents with unparalleled access to high-level internships, global programs, and expert mentorship.
Kennecott Engineering House, Officers Circle
- Residents are upper-division students in the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering.
- This community is for high achieving engineering students seeking a community that will support them in their educational pursuits and offer academic support to enrich their college experience.
Native Ascent Scholars Program, Officers Circle
- Residents are multi-year students who want to serve students connected with the Native Ascent Scholars Program.
- This community supports Indigenous and associated students through a culturally grounded residential experience rooted in values of community, reciprocity, and holistic wellness.
- Residents engage in mentorship, service-learning, and cultural programming that affirms identity and fosters connection.
O.C. Tanner Humanities House, Officers Circle
- Residents are enrolled in the College of Humanities.
- Residents of this house receive a $1,000 scholarship toward housing.
- If you are a part of this community, you will be part of a thriving community where the residents are committed to becoming better-informed, thoughtful world citizens.
Outdoor Adventure Floor, Kahlert Village Health & Wellness Tower
- Residents are first-year students who are excited about all the outdoor opportunities available in Utah.
- Residents on this floor will have the opportunity to work with the University of Utah's Outdoor Adventure group to plan and participate in many activities in the great outdoors.
Sustainability, Action and Leading Together (SALT), Kahlert Village Community Engagement Tower
- Residents are first-year students interested in connecting with other students who have a common interest in affecting positive change with respect to environmental and societal issues while learning about sustainability and its career pathways.
- Being a part of this community means that you will have the opportunity to engage with students and faculty in the School of the Environment, Society & Sustainability (ESS), as well as activities beyond traditional coursework.
- Examples include participation in events and projects with partners on or off campus, field trips to local destinations or university field stations, inclusion in programs sponsored by student groups within ESS, and exposure to research conducted within ESS.
The HIVE (High Impact Volunteer Experience), Kahlert Village Community Engagement Tower
- Residents are first-year students who want to gain a deeper knowledge of community engagement.
- The HIVE provides more opportunities for residents to use their knowledge through civic habits, civic skills, civic action, and civic values to engage with local community organizations and the Bennion Center.
Wild Utah, Trailhead
- This First-Year community explores Utah’s diverse landscapes through field experiences and interdisciplinary study.
- Students examine the connections between environment, recreation, tourism, and culture while developing skills relevant to careers in land management, conservation, and outdoor education.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the application open?
- Friday, November 7, 2025.
Can transfer students apply?
- Transfer student may apply if they have completed two (2) full-time semesters at the University of Utah by January 1, 2026 AND are enrolled full-time at the University of for the entirety of the Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 academic year in a full time or part time capacity.
Do I get to pick my Student Staff Housing Assignment?
- No. student staff do not get to choose their housing assignment. However, student staff will be able to state their community preference throughout the application or interview process.
- Those preferences will be taken into consideration during selection/placement, along with many other factors. All student staff get single bedrooms but may be assigned to a suite or apartment in some communities. Please note that ORL makes placement decisions based on the needs of the community.
Can incoming first year students apply (students who will be first year students for 2025-2026)?
- No. All applicants must have completed two (2) full time semesters at the University of Utah by January 1, 2026 AND be enrolled full-time at the University of Utah for the entirety of the fall 2026/spring 2027 academic year.
Can graduate students apply?
- No, only undergraduate students are eligible to apply.
Do I have to attend an information session?
- Yes. Attending an information session is mandatory in order to be eligible for a student staff position (unless you are a current RA or CA with ORL).
- Candidates can choose to attend a live information session on Zoom or watch a recorded presentation on Canvas.
- Candidates must also pass the associated knowledge check.
- For more specific requirements and deadlines, review the “Mandatory Information Sessions” section on the “RA and CA Positions” website.
Are all applicants guaranteed an interview?
- No. Applications are reviewed to determine which applicants will be invited to an interview based on their answers to the short answer questions and their eligibility.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions or concerns throughout your application process, please feel free to contact our Student Staff Selection Committee at slselection@housing.utah.edu.