SEAHO Report - Winter 2022 - 55

FEATURE ARTICLES
* It is critical to normalize the language with hired student staff members and professional staff
members as well. Priority Alternates are just as qualified as candidates as those hired and could very
well be hired co-workers/employees.
* Consistent Approach
* Priority Alternates are not assigned a community placement. However, a consistent approach is
necessary for the process to uphold its integrity. It was important that Priority Alternates understood
what would happen should they be offered a student staff position: " Please do not accept the
position if you know you cannot commit to the full length of your contract. If you decline the RA
offer, you are declining your interest in being considered for the RA position in its entirety. You will
also be released from the Priority Alternate position for the academic year. "
* Priority Alternates were also required to meet the same employment conditions as other student staff
positions: GPA requirements, good standing in university and housing conduct, enrollment status,
and successful completion of hiring paperwork.
* Included in Trainings
* It is critical to plan for the logistics of Priority Alternates as it relates to training. Who is their pointperson
" supervisor " ? Who grades their modules or collects their assignments? How are they held
accountable? How are they involved in fall training? What happens with them during in-area time?
* At UNF, the Priority Alternates' module assignments were graded by the Assistant Director (AD) of
Residence Life that oversaw student staff training. When fall training occurred, they were randomly
assigned to a community to join during the entirety of fall training. Professional Staff and Priority
Alternates were informed that training placement did not have any bearing on offers, placement, etc.
* There were some portions of training that were not applicable to Priority Alternates: area staff
expectations, area prep time, on-call scheduling, etc. Priority alternates were provided instructions
on training periods they did and did not need to attend.
* Having Priority Alternates in training allowed those students to connect with current student
staff members and professionals. We were able to better understand who they were as people,
employees, and their work ethic.
* The Lull Period
* During the period where Priority Alternates completed training and they are waiting for a vacancy to
occur, what can they do? Can they work in another capacity within the department - welcome desks,
office assistants, mail room, facilities, student leadership positions, etc. Are they allowed to attend
any further trainings you may hold for student staff?
* Priority Alternates at UNF are still involved in communication and can attend student staff trainings
via in-services if they would like. They also remain in active student-status via our online training
course platform, Canvas.
* Many of our current student staff and Priority Alternates take second employment with our welcome
desks. This allows them to remain on payroll and stay connected in the world of Residence Life.
* Congratulations! You've been offered a mid-year student staff position!
* Assist everyone in a successful onboarding and acclimation process if a Priority Alternate is offered
55

SEAHO Report - Winter 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SEAHO Report - Winter 2022