The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 37, No. 1 - 39

Resident Assistant Training at Urban Institutions

success at urban institutions to the presence of special academic assistance programs, strong mentors, and faculty who do not mind offering students additional support—in several instances, students at urban campuses referenced the willingness of individual faculty to meet outside the classroom (Torres, 2006). Moreover, resident assistants at urban institutions are in a unique position to tap external resources in the community and to facilitate vital intersections, which have proven to be effective aids in the success of college students of color. Evidence shows that “urban institutions were usually located in urban areas that provided a host of external resources that they used to foster active and collaborative learning; they also capitalized on external resources to provide enriching educational environments” (Kezar & Kinzie, 2006, p. 166). In addition to the rich educational aspects noted, the various institutions (business, industry, and social) present in the urban environment foster important vocational partnerships. In addition to resident assistants understanding how the urban community might support the institution and identify the challenges that students face, it is also important for resident assistants to understand how the urban environment impacts the perceived safety of the institution. In the way of crime prevention, educating resident assistants about security concerns in an urban area allows them to further provide support to students. When resident assistants are reviewing community standards with students, they can draw from the training provided to have candid conversations about urban safety— this increases students’ awareness of crime on campus and provides them with practi-

The role of professional staff in preparing in-depth training for resident assistants at urban campuses is of critical concern for institutions. Therefore, the planning of training must be intentional and developmental. . . .

cal guidelines that may support the integrity of the residential community. Accordingly, resident assistants must have a firm grasp of residential life policies and must fully understand the processes in place to maintain a safe on-campus environment for residents. In addition to troubleshooting and to working with professional staff to facilitate crisis management, RAs are viewed as a vital resource for residents in the wake of security concerns. They must be knowledgeable of the campus community in order to make the appropriate referrals and create a safe space for students.

cOncLUsIOn
This article has explored the identity of the urban university situated in a diverse metropolitan community, examining the demographic data revealing the type of student that this institution tends to attract and discussing the research outlining the challenges they may face. The study also observed evidence citing the resources available to students at urban institutions and explored the ways in which residential life staff can support students to better navigate the college environment.
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The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 37, No. 1

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