Scope
This policy applies to Resident Assistants (RAs) in UW System residence halls.
Purpose
The policy seeks to balance the rights of RAs as students with the expectations and legal obligations placed on RAs as university employees.
Policy Statement
Resident Assistants (RAs) are expected to work with student residents to create an open, inclusive, and supportive residential community. However, as students, RAs are also encouraged to participate in campus activities and organizations. RAs may participate in, organize, and lead any meeting or other activity, in their rooms, on their floors or in their residence halls, or anywhere else on campus, to the same extent as other students. However, RAs may not use their positions to pressure, coerce, or inappropriately influence student residents to attend or participate in those meetings or activities. Furthermore, in order to inform student residents as to the capacity RAs will be in when promoting or holding events, RAs are expected to clarify the host organizer for all media being promoted to student residents in residence halls.
Oversight, Roles, and Responsibilities
Each UW System institution shall provide appropriate information and training to all RAs about the provisions of this policy. Each UW System institution shall also establish procedures by which any student in a UW System residence hall may seek redress if the student believes an RA has acted in a manner contrary to this policy.
The UW System Office of Academic and Student Affairs and the UW System Office of General Counsel may provide consultation to UW System institutions, as needed, to ensure compliance with this policy.
Related Regent Policy Documents and Applicable Laws
- Section 11.1207, Wis. Stats., “Political solicitation involving public officials and employees restricted.”
- Section 36.12, Wis. Stats., “Student discrimination prohibited.”
- UWS 18.11 (8), Wis. Admin. Code, “Selling, Peddling and Soliciting”
- Regent Policy Document 4-21, “Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression”
- Regent Policy Document 14-6, “Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation”
History: Res. 9145, adopted 03/10/2006, created Regent Policy Document (RPD) 06-1, subsequently renumbered RPD 24-4. Res. 11283, adopted 10/11/2019, amended RPD 24-4 and renumbered the policy as RPD 30-7.
SEE ALSO:
Regent Policy Document 4-21, Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression
Regent Policy Document 14-6, Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation