Community Advisor

If you are starting as a CA in January 2025, training will occur Tuesday, January 7 to Thursday, January 9.

If you are starting as a CA in August 2025, training will begin on August 10.

Minnesota Statute Sections 299C.66 to 299C.71 (a.k.a. the Kari Koskinen Manager Background Check Act…herein referred to as “the Act”), enacted in 1995, require background checks on managers of apartment buildings and other dwellings. 

The term manager includes any individual “who has or would have the means, within the scope of the individual’s duties, to enter tenants’ dwelling units.”  In keeping with the spirit of the Act, this process is used on Minnesota State campuses with residence halls or other dwelling units.  It is applied to any person with a key or other means of access to a student room.  Community Advisors have access to student room keys.

Felony offenses that preclude employment/reassignment include all convictions for attempts to commit, or commission, the following: first, second, and third degree homicide; first and second degree manslaughter; criminal vehicular homicide and injury; first, second, third, fourth, and fifth degree sexual assault; kidnapping; first, second, third and fourth degree criminal sexual conduct; simple robbery; aggravated robbery; false imprisonment; theft; burglary; terroristic threats; first degree arson, and any violation of any level of the harassment and stalking statute.

Yes, as long as you are not on University disciplinary when the position begins.

Please note that candidates who are placed on University disciplinary probation for an incident occurring after any part of the CA application was submitted will become ineligible for the current process.  Conduct checks will take place throughout the selection process.

One responsibility of being a CA is to be accessible and visible to residents.  Outside employment and co-curricular activities can, at times, have an adverse effect on fulfilling this responsibility.  In addition, newly hired CAs often find it challenging to balance numerous responsibilities, and balance them well, during their first semester of employment. 

Hence, CAs may request approval from their Hall Director to seek additional employment opportunities.  The additional employment opportunities must not exceed 10 hours per week.

A student cannot be a CA and a student teacher at the same time.

Community Advisors who want to participate in co-curricular activities need to discuss their plans and obtain written approval from their Hall Director.  Hall Directors will assist CAs in examining how co-curricular activities might have an impact on their personal and work-related responsibilities.

Yes. Because some time has passed since you previously applied, it is important to gather updated information and, at times, our position descriptions are updated.

Yes, as long as you meet all qualifications for the position.  Since you will not have any grades posted on the University records system, you may need to submit a copy of your transcript from the college or university you previously attended.  Please submit this document to the CA Selection Committee by the application deadline.

August 2025 Start

Applications for positions that begin in August 2025 will be open December 4 through 11:59 p.m. on January 29. 

If you experience technical difficulties with the application, contact the CA Selection Committee via email or phone (507-389-1011).

If your plan is to live on campus even if you are not hired as a Community Advisor, you should submit your housing application during the returning student process. If you are hired as a CA, your prepayment will be applied to other costs on your student bill.