What we do

From becoming a residence assistant (RA) and working in Residence Life, to volunteering your time on the residence council, there’s always a way to be actively involved in your residence.

The Residence Life team consists of a core group of people who lead you and your community down the road to success.

We consist of two distinct teams:

  • RAs
  • residence council

Both teams serve distinct purposes within the residences, but they share a common goal and theme by providing a positive atmosphere.

Under the guidance and leadership of the Residence Life coordinator, the team works throughout the year to provide an atmosphere that is safe, healthy and conducive to positive living. We strive for a learning environment that is inclusive for everyone.

The Residence Life coordinator and the assistants will be your main points of contact to help you throughout the year.

Residence Life coordinator (RLC)

The RLC is a full-time professional staff member who lives in the residence.

Under their guidance and leadership, they are responsible for the administration and management of Residence Life at UNB Saint John, which includes:

  • RAs
  • RC
  • student leadership & development
  • policies and procedures development, implementation and updating

The RLC is also responsible for upholding community living standards and policy enforcement.

Among their other tasks, they take care of the operations of the residence communities and student life as well as the supervision and training of the RAs. They also advise and work hand-in-hand with the residence council.

You will find the RLC developing and implementing programs (educational, social and personal growth) in order to enhance the overall campus living and learning environment. They also oversee the safety, security and overall well-being of residence students, while handling issues with students and students’ discipline.

If students have problems of a personal, academic or social level, the RLC is there to help or refer them to the appropriate campus resource.

Because the RLC lives on campus, they are the first responder and point of contact to handle emergency and crisis situations. They also provide support to paraprofessional staff while acting as a liaison to other campus resources and staff.

Residence assistants (RA)

The Residence Assistants have some of the most helpful and rewarding positions in residences.

Your RA is an upper-year student staff member hired by our office. They are your primary person of contact for anything you may need. They are located on each floor of the Mackay Residence and in both A and B buildings of the Dunn Residence.

Your RA was selected for this position because they are enthusiastic about student life and also demonstrate and understand the residence system and its rules.

What your RA can help you with:

  • first aid and CPR training
  • policy enforcement
  • roommate mediation
  • emotional issues (such as eating disorders, anxiety or grief)
  • suicide intervention

Your RA’s responsibility is to be a role-model who provides you with:

  • leadership
  • assistance
  • guidance
  • advice
  • support

How to contact an RA:

  • Call the cellphone of the RA on-duty: 506-650-4639
  • If there’s no answer, find your floor RA
  • If you can’t find them, try to locate any other RA

Become a Residence Assistant

The Residence Assistants are the front-line support for students.

We select leaders who have:

  • attended university for at least one academic year
  • lived in a residence
  • demonstrated an understanding of residence policies as well as campus resources and events

We are looking for enthusiastic role models who help in establishing a positive environment while enhancing the experiences of the Residence Life community.

Our Residence Assistants have extensive contact with the residence community’s students and they act as a link between the other residence staff as well as the different campus resources available to students.

They are here to make the residences a place which contributes to the intellectual and sociocultural development of the members of the residential community.

Apply to become an RA

Contact our Residence Life Coordinator for more information about how to apply.

The Residence Life office sends out a notification via UNB email to all residence students with the date when RA Applications will be available. Keep your eyes out from the middle to the end of January for this email.

You usually have a week to complete and submit the application to the office (on the ground floor of the Mackay Residence).

We usually take a week to go over the applications. Only those who are selected for interviews will be notified via UNB email.

Sometimes two interviews may be required.

You might also have the opportunity to apply for one of two alternate RA positions.

Residence council

Your residence council is made up of a group of enthusiastic students who volunteer their time to make your university and residence experiences the best they can be.

Your council members are elected by the residents and they are tasked with the organization of social activities.

Feel free to suggest them potential activities or ask them to join!

The residence council executive consists of:

  • the president
  • the vice-president
  • two social and marketing representatives
  • two athletics representatives
  • an international representative
  • a food and environment representative
  • a first-year representative