Scholar Assistant Position and Application
The Scholar Assistant position offers Scholars an opportunity to develop their personal leadership and organizational skills while creating exciting programs and out-of-classroom activities for Schreyer Scholars and residents of the Living Learning Community. Together these individuals work collaboratively to establish and build community among students, faculty and administrators.
A team of four Schreyer Scholars work collaboratively with Resident Hall Assistants in the Living Learning Community to organize intellectually stimulating seminars to encourage out-of-classroom learning within the broader University setting. Scholar Assistants also help in facilitating lines of communication between students, faculty, and administrators. The team of Scholars act as student advocates and serve as an important resource to all Schreyer Scholars.
We are no longer accepting applications for the 2008-2009 academic year. If you are interested in becoming an SA for 2009-2010, please contact Donna Meyer(dlh15@psu.edu) to express your interest.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF SCHOLAR ASSISTANTS?
Eligibility and Job Priorities
- The Scholar Assistant is expected to maintain a 3.4 GPA and membership in good standing in the Schreyer Honors College. Please refer to the SHC Student Handbook for specific information.
- Scholar Assistants are expected to commit a full academic year to their job. Half-year appointments are rarely offered.
- It is expected that the Scholar Assistant job is the student's primary extra-curricular activity. Applicants should discuss other extra-curricular activities (e.g., employment, student organizations, Blue Band) with the Coordinator. Likewise, it is important that the Scholar Assistant job not interfere with a student's academic progress.
Administrative Duties
- Each Scholar Assistant will visit the offices in Atherton Hall daily to receive information and messages from Honors College staff.
- Scholar Assistants are expected to attend weekly team meetings. The Senior Scholar Assistant is responsible for preparing an agenda at least two days prior to the meeting.
- Scholar Assistants are expected to file a Programming Evaluation form and copies of promotional material in the main office within 48 hours of the program.
- Scholar Assistants are ex officio members of the Schreyer Honors College Student Council. Scholar Assistants will be expected to consult their constituency before each meeting to find out what issues might need consideration.
- Scholar Assistants will be called upon from time to time to assist in administrative activities such as Scholars Day, Recruitment Offer Sessions, Signature Programs (lectures, receptions) and residence hall tours.
- Other duties as assigned.
Staff Training
- In the spring, Scholar Assistants in training have an opportunity to shadow current team members at programs and events, to attend weekly team meetings and help plan fall orientation information sessions as their schedules permit.
- In the fall, Scholar Assistants are required to return to campus for training and orientation planning before new student arrival day (approximately 2-3 days).
- Throughout the year, Scholar Assistants will be expected to attend professional development sessions.
Seminar and Event Development
- Throughout the year, Scholar Assistants plan and coordinate a significant number of intellectual and culturally enriching seminars and events. Scholar Assistants work collaboratively with the dean and other SHC staff to select themes for these events which may include dinner seminars with faculty, visiting scholars, artists, and public figures; trips; tours; performances; thematic series; community service projects and related events; etc. Scholar Assistants will also work as a team to design, develop and implement at least one signature event each semester. All seminars and events are subject to the approval of the appropriate SHC coordinator.
- The Scholar Assistants collectively prepare presentations for incoming Scholars informing them of the policies, procedures, requirements, opportunities and expectations of the Schreyer Honors College.
- Scholar Assistants are expected to keep Resident Assistants informed of activities, to encourage joint programming efforts, and to participate in the direction and promotion of Residence Hall Programs.
Student Engagement
- During the first week of the fall semester, Scholar Assistants participate in orientation of incoming students.
- Scholar Assistants are expected to keep their constituency of Scholars informed and to elicit suggestions and feedback from them. This may be done formally or informally through newsletters, phone calls, e-mail, visits, social gatherings or the SHC Student Council.
- Scholar Assistants are expected to hold office hours or "open door" hours on a weekly basis. Hours are to be posted and changes in schedule noted.
- Each Scholar Assistant is expected to know personally a significant number of Scholars in their respective areas within the Living Learning Community. The goal is to foster a strong sense of community among all Scholars. This is to be an active, ongoing commitment by the Scholar Assistant to his or her constituency group.
Evaluation and Continuance
- Scholar Assistants are formally evaluated near the close of each semester. The evaluation assesses a Scholar Assistant's performance against expectations stated in this Position Description and from the Coordinator. The Office of Residence Life may collect comments from students in the residence halls about Scholar Assistant performance at the end of each semester. These will be considered as part of the evaluation process.
- Failure to adequately fulfill the expectations for the Scholar Assistant position may result in job probation (which implies an expectation of improvement in performance deficiencies) or dismissal.
- The Scholar Assistant position is a one-year appointment. Scholar Assistants may reapply for the position, and one or two may be re-hired as “Senior Scholar Assistants” for a second year. “Senior Scholar Assistants” assist with the training and coaching of new Scholar Assistants.
Miscellaneous Responsibilities and Information
- The Scholar Assistant is a representative not only of the Schreyer Honors College, but also of the University. The Scholar Assistant is thus expected to present a positive image in dealing with students, faculty, administrators, and visitors, as well as to observe University policies.
- The Schreyer Honors College continually seeks ways to better meet student needs. Hence, Scholar Assistant job responsibilities may change or expand from those outlined in this position description.
Staff Selection
- Each Scholar Assistant will participate as required in the scheduled interviewing process for staff selection for the following year (or as needed for mid-year vacancies). The amount of time required depends on the number of applicants in a given year.
Time Commitment
- The Scholar Assistant's time commitment to the job is substantial, considering that a Scholar Assistant is also a full-time student. The amount of time needed for planning and executing programs and events varies greatly, but saying that at least four hours of planning and preparation are needed for each hour of actual seminar time is not unrealistic. Fall orientation consists of a full week before classes begin and spring orientation is held on the Friday before classes begin. Add to all of this time for meeting and getting acquainted with Scholars, student organization meetings, and other job-related activities.
- A minimum of 10 hours per week, varying with the week, is expected.
Assignment
- Scholars housing includes Atherton and Simmons Halls. Scholar Assistants are expected to be prepared to answer questions and provide academic information to students living in the Living Learning Community.
- Scholar Assistants are expected to attend super group meetings with Resident Assistants.
- Scholar Assistants have responsibility for actively including all Scholars not living in Atherton or Simmons Halls. Scholar Assistants should make special efforts to include off-campus Scholars in events and seminars. Regular contact is essential.
HOW ARE SCHOLAR ASSISTANTS COMPENSATED?
- Scholar Assistant remuneration is the equivalent of residence hall space and $1,250 per semester ($2,500 total).
- Scholar Assistants are assigned residence hall space in Honors Housing for the tenure of the position.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
