Cluster Leader Position Available

University of Guelph
Student Housing Services
JOB DESCRIPTION

Cluster Leader
_______________________________________________
TERMS OF POSITION:
Contract Period: Fall: Beginning of Residence Life Staff Training until 24 hrs after last scheduled exam.
Winter: Opening of residences until 24 hours after the last university scheduled exam.
Remuneration: The hours expected of a Cluster Leader vary according to the needs of the community. Cluster Leaders will receive a stipend of $1246.50/semester (currently under review) and are guaranteed a single room in residence.
Reporting to: Cluster Leaders will report directly to the Manager, Academic Learning Communities who will provide training, support and assistance to the Cluster Leader in the execution of their responsibilities.
_______________________________________________

VISION
The Cluster Leader in cooperation with the other Cluster Leaders, Academic Programmers, Residence Life Managers, and the rest of Residence Life Staff, is responsible for providing a broad range of academic programming for a specified lounge/section in a residence hall. These activities, often carried out with the assistance of other campus agencies (eg. The Learning Commons and Program Counsellors) serve three purposes:
a) to assist students in their academic endeavours;
b) to support and challenge students in their personal development;
c) to aid in the development and maintenance of the community environment within the residences.

RESPONSIBILITIES

A. General
Cluster Leaders
1. Will live in the Residence Hall assigned to them and serve as a resource to the students in their area as well as to the building as a whole.

2. Are expected to maintain a minimum semester and cumulative average of 70 percent.

3. Assist with the coordination, marketing and implementation of a pre-arranged program schedule
(ie. Study sessions for core courses, learning skills workshops, faculty meetings, etc.)

4. Assist with the development, marketing and implementation of programs within a specified academic program area.


B. Staff Responsibilities
1. ROLE MODELING:
Be aware of their impact as role models for students and other staff members and demonstrate responsible behaviour as a member of the community.

2. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT:
(a) attend the Spring Orientation Session and the Residence Life Staff Training Program. Topic coverage will include: leadership styles, programming, facilitation, evaluation, communication, assertiveness, learning styles, diversity, campus services, time management, student development theory and new student characteristics.
(b) attend team staff meetings.
(c) attend ongoing training sessions as required.


3. PROGRAMMING:
(a) support and assist in the implementation of new student orientation.
(b) implement regular group meetings with first-year students in your cluster to encourage community development and to address academic and transition issues, as they arise
(c) facilitate a minimum of 6 study sessions, for 2 core courses, each semester.
(d) facilitate the dissemination of Learning Commons information and services to first-year residence students.
(e) implement 2 student-faculty programs involving instructors or teaching assistants for each semester.
(f) coordinate discipline-specific programs at least twice per semester.
(g) coordinate cross-discipline programs at least once per semester.
(h) collaborate with the residence life staff in monitoring student academic transitional needs and respond by offering services as required.
(i) promote student participation in campus activities and services that support student learning needs.
(j) distribute flyers to first-year residence students and Residence Life Staff informing them of important academic policies and procedures, schedule of dates, and sources of academic assistance
(k) create an academic bulletin board and/or passive program and make appropriate changes on a monthly basis.
(l)
4. PEER HELPING:
(a) counsel students on academic issues as expertise permits. Refer to an appropriate resource when a situation demands skills beyond those of the Cluster Leaders.
(b) be alert to the academic needs of new students.
(c) document and follow-up on issues.

5. DISCIPLINE:
(a) know and observe University and residence rules and regulations.

6. COMMUNICATION AND SUPPORT:
(a) maintain regular and frequent communication with the Residence Life Staff (Residence Assistants and Academic Programmers) so as to be well informed about their activities, share information about upcoming programs which may be of interest to them and their residents, and collect details about academic content needs.
(b) keep the Manager, ALC and Senior Academic Leaders up-to-date about staff activities and other programming endeavors.
(c) regular attendance at meetings as determined by the Manager, ALC
(d) maintain and post an accurate calender of academic programming events.
(e) complete weekly and programming logs using the on-line system provided by Student Housing Services

C. Core Competencies
(a) energy and enthusiasm
(b) demonstrated commitment to your academic studies
(c) ability to work independently and as a member of a team
(d) very good interpersonal skills
(e) ability to relate to a wide range of individuals
(f) creativity
(g) good problem-solving skills
(h) initiative and reliability
(i) strong sense of self-awareness
(j) commitment to helping
(k) willingness to learn
(l) excellent organizational and coordination skills
(m) familiarity with residence life, campus resources, services and academic opportunities

Contact: Mildred Eisenbach
Manager, Academic Learning Communities
Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1
519-824-4120 ext. 52374
meisenba@uoguelph.ca