Residential Commons Residential Fellow

Job Category : Casual Wage

Position Title :

Residential Commons Residential Fellow

Full Time / Part Time :

Part Time

Division : Dean of the College

Department : Residential Life

Hiring Wage / Salary Range :

16.00 / hour

Department Statement :

Colgate University is a special place to work and offers many unique opportunities, including the ability to work with and among world class faculty and staff at a highly selective residential liberal arts institution. This position provides an opportunity to become familiar with the variety of regular positions that are available at the University, as well as the ability to add employment at a distinct University to your resume.

Successful candidates for this position will earn sick leave, paid time off, free parking, and a University ‘Gate Card that provides access to fitness facilities, athletic and cultural events, as well as a discount on many items at the University Bookstore.This type of appointment is not approved to work more than 999 hours per year for all positions combined. Should incumbents work more than a total of 999 hours in a year the appointment may not continue beyond one year of service.

Residential Commons Overview

At Colgate, the residential experience supports a campus community where learning doesn’t happen only in the classroom, nurturing living-learning communities that encourage intellectual engagement and community development. The Residential Commons program is the foundation of the Colgate residential experience. All first-year and sophomore students live in one of four Residential Commons, each with its own unique personality and characteristics. Upper-level students maintain affiliation with their respective Commons.

Under the leadership of faculty and staff co-directors, each Commons offers opportunities to extend academics beyond the classroom, from making ice cream from liquid nitrogen to tasting edible bugs to hearing your favorite professor’s professional path. Through their active engagement with their Residential Commons, students develop the habits and skills that will enable them to meet the 13th goal of a Colgate education : the lifelong learner mindset that sustains a lifelong curiosity and grows in knowledge and wisdom.

Through their affiliation with their Residential Commons, students experience a home away from home that is rich with opportunities for academic and social engagement, beginning with students’ First-year Seminars (FSEMs) and Living-Learning Workshops (LLWs) in their first semester. Their Commons supports their transition to college and prepares them for more independent living in their junior and senior years. The Residential Commons program reflects the classroom rigor and sense of belonging students feel across the University.

The Residential Commons program, working in partnership with the Office of Residential Life, is an intellectual collaboration between the Dean of the College Division and the Dean of the Faculty Division that invites students to flourish as engaged members of Colgate’s active, intellectually curious campus community, where life and learning transcend disciplines, cultures, and classrooms.

Position Overview

The Residential Fellows serve as near-peer mentors for the residents of their commons. Each Residential Fellow (RF) works under the supervision of the Director of the Residential Commons Program (RCP), and is assigned to one of the four commons. In collaboration with the Co-Directors and Area Director of their commons, the RF supports the development and delivery of programmatic initiatives within their Residential Commons. Working with the Director of the RCP, the RF is responsible for developing and implementing programming to support residents’ academic endeavors. They are also responsible for their commons’ communication efforts.

The RF assists in building intellectually-engaging residential communities through interacting regularly with residents, other Residential Fellows, Community Leaders, members of the Commons Council, and a variety of campus partners. The RF oversees and executes events, large and small, sponsored by the Residential Commons in a collaborative environment. The RF supports the development of a democratic, vibrant, inclusive, and healthy environment within the context of their living-learning community.

The supervision provided by the Director of the RCP includes significant professional development for the RF, and the possibility of opportunities for continued academic growth and preparation. This position is 25 hours per week supporting the Res Fellow’s assigned commons and working with the Director of the RCP. This is a one-year appointment and a live-in position. If the selected RF wishes, the Director of the RCP will assist them in seeking an additional position on campus, not to exceed an additional 10 hours for a combined total of 35 hours per week on work on campus.

Accountabilities :

Programming & Assessment

• Assist with the planning, and coordinate the execution, of large and small-scale events within the Residential Commons that foster students’ intellectual engagement and support a living-learning community environment.
• Recruit and co-advise the student Residential Commons Council, which coordinates engagement opportunities for the residents of their commons.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the commons in collaborations with other stakeholders within Colgate and the local community on program initiatives.
• Manage scheduling of classroom / program spaces within the Residential Commons buildings in consultation with the Co-Directors, using established criteria for use of Residential Commons spaces.
• Purchase program materials and supplies, track expenses, and submit expense reports, within specified budget guidelines.
• Oversee budget for large-scale, collaborative programs & events in collaboration with Residential Commons Co-Directors. Process and track invoices and maintain thorough / accurate fiscal records for their commons’ budget.
• Design, create, and distribute promotional materials for events, including social media graphics, posters, and email invitations.

Community Development & Engagement

Intellectual Connection

Core Departmental Responsibilities

Professional Experience / Qualifications :

Preferred Qualifications :

Colgate degree and / or experience preferred and will receive first consideration.

A car is helpful, although not required.

Education :

Bachelor’s degree required.

Other Information :

This is a part-time, 10-month, live-in position.

Position begins August 5th, 2025 and concludes no later than May 20th, 2026.

As this is a live-in position, housing (a room with a private ensuite bathroom in one of the residence halls with access to a communal kitchen) and a partial meal plan are provided.

Requisition Number : 2025CW004Posting

Temporary : Work Schedule :

Typical schedule : 25 hours per week

A total of 35-36 weeks of working time

Job Open Date : 02 / 18 / 2025

Open Until Filled :

Special Instructions Summary :

Applicants are encouraged to submit an OPT application prior to the interview, if applicable. Please note that this position requires U.S. work authorization, and the mandatory start date is August 5, 2025.

EEO Statement :

The University recognizes that equal employment opportunity can only be achieved through demonstrated leadership. It is the Policy of the University to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and train employees on the basis of merit, ability, and valid job qualifications without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal laws or Executive Orders.

Clery Act :

CAMPUS CRIME REPORTING AND STATISTICS

The Department of Campus Safety will provide upon request a copy of Colgate’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported : 1. crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colgate University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus and 2. fires that occurred in student housing facilities. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety, such as policies concerning sexual assault, life safety systems, and other related matters. You may access the report from the Clery Compliance web page at : https : / / www.colgate.edu / about / offices-centers-institutes / dean-college / campus-safety-staff / clery-compliance . Printed copies of this report may be obtained upon request from the Department of Campus Safety via e-mail at cusafety@colgate.edu .

Salary : $16