“Staff invest so much of themselves in our communities. So we invest in our staff.” — Linda Newman Director, University Housing
Make yourself at home Whatever your background, chances are you’ve got something in common with every one of us: a passion for making a difference in students’ lives. We believe that the best way to help you pursue that passion is to let you take ownership of your experience — and to provide a friendly, understanding community where you can flourish. You can start to see it right away in our recruitment process. Candidates often tell us how surprised they are that they get to meet not just with senior leadership, but with student staff and residents. That’s our culture of listening, of believing that everyone possesses a unique perspective and expertise. From your first day on the job, you’ll have a chance to make your voice heard. If there’s a project you believe in, speak up: we want you to be able to do the work you love.
Whether the position is live-in or live-out, you’ll be a part of our Michigan family. The things that are important to you, from continuing your education to expecting a new baby, are important to us, too. Not only are there great benefits from the University, but you’ll be welcomed by a culture that genuinely respects your work/life balance. And we have a lot more to offer. We hope you take some time to get to know our department — and of course we’re very excited to get to know you. Welcome to Michigan. And welcome home.
Hear our professionals talk about the department in their own words: www.housing.umich.edu/residence-education
Why Michigan? While we draw on best practices in residence education from all over the country, we also have a philosophy and a culture that set us apart. Here are some key factors that help make “the Michigan Difference”.
Professional development We recruit talented people precisely because we know they want to go out and do amazing things. And wherever you see yourself going, we can help you on the road. Want the chance to present papers within the University and at national conferences? Interested in the experience of working on high-level committees? Make your interests and passions known. This is your chance to practice, to experiment with your ideas, to hone your craft. In Residence Education we’ll give you the tools. Social justice At Michigan, “social justice” is not just a buzzword. Each new student staff member in Residence Education takes part in an 11-week course, engaging in a deep dialogue about how social identities develop, how the dynamics of power and privilege play out, and how we can best work through conflicts and act as allies in social justice. Beyond RAs, our communities also have Diversity Peer Educators, student staff dedicated to educating our residents about social justice and multiculturalism. And, as a new professional, you’ll participate in a 10-week staff class that mirrors what student staff experience. We believe that social identities matter and we strive to infuse principles of social justice in all that we do.
Shared leadership As a hall or neighborhood leader, you have a unique, on-the-ground perspective critical to any discussion. That’s why in our decision-making process, the emphasis is on listening to all voices and inviting all staff to offer up their ideas, so they can represent what they feel passionate about and take the lead in making change happen. Whenever possible, we look to the local level rather than a hierarchical decision-making model. Housing Security We are one of the few universities in the country with a Housing Security team that is dedicated to creating a safe environment in our halls and apartments. Housing Security officers reduce incident response time considerably and collaborate with our on-duty RAs and Hall Directors as well as the Department of Public Safety in managing after-hours incidents. Relationships When it comes to making things happen in your community, your most powerful tools are your relationships with staff and residents. And that goes for the whole department. We know we are stronger, and can do better work, when we cultivate connections with each other, combining
“The expertise and experience of our staff and students at the local level is the foundation for every decision we make.” — Heather Livingston
Assistant Director/Area Coordinator
strengths and sharing skills. It’s something we actively make time for, not just through retreats and training, but also in the hundred little talks and collaborations that happen every day in University Housing. Restorative justice With 12,000 residents in our halls and apartments, we recognize that conduct issues can arise. It’s how we deal with them that makes the difference. At Michigan, we use “restorative justice”. Instead of a punitive system, we emphasize the need to repair the harm done to individuals and to the residential community. By helping students to reflect on the consequences of their actions, we believe we can foster in them a sense of ownership and responsibility: a way of turning violations into teachable moments. Dynamic community model We recognize there are no cookie-cutter communities. So we don’t take a cookie-cutter approach. Instead, Michigan’s community development model begins with truly getting to know residents, who they are as individuals and what their unique needs are. From there we develop our programs, always listening, always responsive to what a neighborhood, a hall or a corridor is telling us.
Positions of leadership We take a team approach to the leadership of each residential community. A Hall Director and Community Center Manager work together and complement each other, helping to keep student welfare and building operations in synch. Hall Director A full-time, live-in professional role, the Hall Director (HD) supervises staff and programming, collaborates with units across campus and within the community and directly advises the resident councils. Responsible for the welfare of the community, HDs work flexible schedules including evenings and weekends. The work of the HD includes: • supervising 13-22 student staff, including Resident Advisors, and indirect supervision of Community Assistants; • managing conflict resolution cases; • engaging with the unique dynamics of each community — from residence halls to apartments, small to large populations, living/learning communities to our “theme” communities — and developing initiatives and training that reflect these needs; • participating in the on-call duty rotation to provide crisis response and management for an area of up to 3,000 residents; • facilitating the student staff class; and • managing the programming and training budget for student staff.
Apartment accommodations Each furnished apartment, just like each of our residence halls, has a different style and design. Our apartments range from one to two bedrooms, including a private kitchen, one to two bathrooms and living room.
Qualifications Required: Master’s degree in College Student Personnel or related field and one to two years relevant residence hall, graduate or professional experience.
Apartment..............(1-2 bedroom furnished).......... $12,000
Preferred: Prior live-in experience is preferred; candidates should have knowledge of basic theory and program development; candidates with theme housing or living/learning experience are encouraged to apply.
Meal Plan...................................................................... $2,120
Meal plan Hall Directors receive Michigan’s Unlimited Meal Plan, including Blue Bucks, our Michigan campus currency. Your partner/spouse and dependents are also provided with a meal plan offering three meals each day. Parking permit Live-in Hall Directors will receive a parking permit valid all over campus at University parking lots and structures. A partner/spouse may also be eligible for a parking permit — ask for details.
Hall Director Annual Remuneration Overview* Salary ......................(annual gross) ........................... $30,000
Utilities ...................(gas, electric, heat, water) .......... $1,260 Cable ............................................................................. $1,888 Internet ........................................................................... $528
Parking Permit ................................................................ $771 Total ............................................................................ $48,567
The apartment, utilities, cable and internet are approximate figures based on the cost of living in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2011.
Community Center Manager Annual Remuneration Overview* Salary ......................(annual gross) ........................... $30,000 Meal Plan......................................................................... $800 Total ............................................................................ $30,800
Community Center Manager In 2006, we launched a new model of thinking about the front desk: the Community Center. Beginning with the idea that the everyday transactions of the old front desk could also serve as opportunities to strengthen community, the new Community Center now works as the hub of student life in the building. As a result, the Community Center Manager (CCM), a live-out position, was created not only to supervise building logistics, but also to nurture the larger community. The work of the CCM includes: • supervising directly four to seven Community Assistants, as well as indirect supervision of Resident Advisors; • tailoring processes to the needs of each building and the groups within it, such as living/learning communities; • facilitating intentional plans for community building at the Community Centers; • managing the operational budget for the hall or apartments; • coordinating weekly with other Housing team members such as Dining and Facilities, to solve problems and exchange information; and • facilitating student staff class. Meal plan CCMs receive a special meal plan with eight meals per week, designed to give them flexibility to meet students in the dining hall for either breakfast, lunch, or dinner. For all other meals, CCMs are entitled to a significant discount.
* For full details about each position, visit www.housing.umich.edu/residence-education
University Benefits For four consecutive years, the University of Michigan has been featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Great Colleges to Work For” — recognition of high job satisfaction and our competitive offering of benefits. Retirement savings The Basic Retirement Savings plan is a taxdeferred 403(b) and 401(a) defined contribution plan. You contribute 5% of your eligible gross salary and, after twelve consecutive months of service, the University will begin providing a contribution equal to 10% of your eligible gross salary. In addition to the basic plan, you may also start a Supplemental Retirement Account and/or a Deferred Compensation Plan.
Vacation time In addition to holidays, you receive and can accrue two vacation days per month for for the duration of your contract. Hall Directors and Community Center Managers interested in the ten-month contract may take two unpaid months off in the summer. Health plans The University offers a comprehensive range of exceptional health, dental, vision and prescription plans tailored to your needs. Coverage can start immediately, and may be extended to eligible family members and dependents.
For complete details about benefits for University of Michigan employees, visit www.benefits.umich.edu
Both Hall Directors and Community Center Managers can have the option of working ten months and taking two unpaid months off in the summer. Family and partner friendly University Housing is dedicated to making every effort to welcome your family, from accommodations in family housing to Hall Director apartments with multiple bedrooms. Michigan also is proud to offer a dedicated Work/ Life Resource Center, including the U-M Family Helpers program, connecting you with the assistance you need to balance your career and home life.
Tuition reimbursement Once you have completed six months of service at Michigan, the University will pay 75% tuition support if you wish to continue your education but have not completed master’s level programs. This support can be applied to programs at any accredited academic institution.
Frequently Asked Questions What’s it like to work with “the leaders and the best”? Take an inside look at some of the topics candidates are often curious about. When hiring professional staff, what do you look for? First and foremost, we want to hire staff that are truly passionate about working with students! We look for a positive attitude and someone who’s comfortable and excited to work in an environment of change and growth. We also look for candidates who have some reflecting and self-educating about social justice and diversity.
What’s in the future for the department? Plenty! The switch from a “front desk” to “Community Center” is exciting, and we’ll be looking for ways to create community around that. Also, we’re in the middle of a huge initiative to improve our halls and apartments with new and updated amenities. Each time a building reopens, it gives us a chance to re-imagine that community and find new ways of doing things.
What are Michigan students like? Amazing! They are smart, incredibly diverse, and tend to be involved in tons of organizations. They have many time commitments and feel a lot of academic pressure to succeed. They ask questions and challenge. And of course, there’s the strong sense of history and Wolverine pride.
How does Residence Education work within the Division of Student Affairs? We’re deeply involved in the wider world of Student Affairs, in particular with New Staff Orientation, the Learning Series, and our annual conference. There’s so much knowledge and expertise across the division, so we look for ways colleagues in other units can help each other develop professionally. There’s a real shared sense of mission.
What can a HD or CCM expect from their supervisor? Across buildings and leadership teams, we all have our individual styles but there are some consistent themes. We use a “guided autonomy” approach, so we give staff the tools they need and allow them to develop their own initiatives through supervision and committee work.
How would you describe the organizational culture? What sets us apart is that we’re genuinely committed to shared leadership. We work for a hierarchy to be as “flat” as possible. Our culture isn’t formal, and we encourage staff to be authentically who they are.
“We encourage staff to be authentically who they are.”
Your kind of town Named by Amazon.com as one of “America’s Most Well-Read Cities”, Ann Arbor is also home to the Big House, the ultimate temple to college football. An impossibility? Nope. That’s Ann Arbor. The small city with room for everything. Art Not only is the University’s own Museum of Art an acclaimed gem in its own right, but the cultural scene all over Ann Arbor is boisterous all year long, swirling from campus to Main Street and beyond. Take in the treasures of the Ann Arbor Film Festival, hobnob with literary stars, or grab a seat for any of the numerous international theatre and dance companies that love to stop in. And, in summer we’re home to not one but four arts festivals. Simultaneously. Food Ann Arborites are notoriously hungry for the good stuff. From sidewalk restaurants and street carts to wine bars, classic diners and four-star
restaurants, this is a town that always makes room for seconds. After all, arguably the greatest deli in America, Zingerman’s, lives right here and nowhere else. Whether you’re in the mood for tasting your way through our food festivals, or snapping up local produce from our farmer’s market, when you come to Ann Arbor, bring your appetite. Music What do Leonard Bernstein, Cecilia Bartoli, and Funkadelic have in common? Just three of the artists who were privileged to play the University’s own Hill Auditorium, a marvel of acoustic perfection. And the whole city sounds
“It is the urban sophistication of this town — with its mix of restaurants, bars, boutiques, art-house movie theaters and world-class art museums — that keeps many University of Michigan alumni from leaving long after they have graduated.” —The New York Times good: punk rock (with the MC5 and The Stooges) was born here. Folk artists around the country revere our downtown venue, The Ark. The University Musical Society attracts the greatest symphonies in the world. And before they make it on Broadway and the big time, the young prodigies of our School of Music, Theater & Dance perform right here for you. Child’s Play Rated by Bloomberg Businessweek as one of the “Best Places to Raise Your Kids” in America, Ann Arbor is wonderful for members of the Michigan family who have little Wolverines of their own. Parents will love the Hands-On Museum, the
highly-ranked schools and our abundance of green spaces. Children will prefer the surprising number of ice cream parlors and treasure-stuffed toy stores. Location Like many who move to Ann Arbor, you’ll find it hard to leave. But if you must, Ann Arbor is the perfect hub for quick getaways or ocean-hopping travel. Motor to Detroit, the Motor City, in 45 minutes, and to Canada in just an hour. Jump on I-94 and make it to Chicago in only four hours— or fly there in less than one. A breezy 30 minutes gets you to Detroit International Airport — and from there to wherever you wish.
Talk to us Here in Ann Arbor, you'll find we’re an inquisitive bunch, asking a lot of questions. All part of the process of getting to know you. And we want you to feel free to do the same. We understand that choosing the university where you want to work is no small thing. You have a tremendous amount of energy and dedication to put into this job and, of course, you’re going to be curious about us. Go on, ask away. We’d love to talk. After all, the number one tenet of our community development model is to “get to know the people around you”. To do that, you need to ask questions. We really want to hear about you. One of the things that makes us different is that we’re interested in you as a whole person. We know you’ve got a wide field of interests, and you probably have big plans for your future. Tell us about them. University Housing can be a key
stepping stone in your career because we really want to help staff develop themselves for what comes next. What fields are you curious about? What experience could advance you? What kinds of projects do you dream of doing? Let us know. University Housing 1011 Student Activities Building 515 E. Jefferson St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1316 T: 734.763.3164 | F: 734.764.6806
Contact the Leadership Team Selection Chairs directly at LTSelectionChairs@umich.edu
We are an Affirmative Action, Equal-Opportunity Employer The University of Michigan, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the Senior Director for Institutional Equity, and Title IX/Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Office of Institutional Equity, 2072 Administrative Services Building, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1432, 734-763-0235, TTY 734-647-1388.
“If there’s ever anything you need, just ask. We’ll support you.” —Darquillius Johnson Hall Director, Mary Markley Hall
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