ERC Resident Advisors' Resource Web Page
Sean McCarty
smccarty@ucsd.edu
7-2-2008
EDTEC 541 - Wed 4:00

Problem, Need, or Opportunity

Currently, Resident Advisors (RA's) at Eleanor Roosevelt College (of UC-San Diego) must access multiple web sites and online tools to complete the many functions of their job, including an online duty log, duty and event calendars as well as several college and university sites. The RA's have repeatedly expressed a desire for a consolidated "RA Webpage" that would alleviate the need to visit so many different web sites. One web site would enable them to access updates and expectations regarding their job as well as give them immediate access to important phone numbers and resources all in one online location.

Audience

The primary audience will be Resident Advisors at Eleanor Roosevelt College and all content would be created expressly for their various job functions. However, a secondary audience will also regulary access the site-- full-time professional staff and student office workers whom also need to view updates about what is expected of the Resident Advisors.

Users Needs

The users stated a need for the following items on the site:

1. Duty calendar for the academic year, to include the Fall, Winter and Spring Quarters.
2. Access or link to daily duty log to be completed every night at the completion of the last set of scheduled rounds.
3. A uniform incident report form to detail events from the previous duty shift.
4. Training materials, including written instructions and videos for job tasks.
5. Critical information, such as on campus resources and emergency phone numbers.
6. Current updates about on-campus news and events.

The critical elements for both the primary and secondary users of the page are a posted duty calendar, an online duty log and emergency resources and phone numbers.

The most important items for the web page will be created and implemented first, such as the duty and event calendar, and the less-critical elements such as training resource page will have a minimum of content initially but be designed so that it can be easily updated in the future.

Environment

The primary audience of Resident Advisors will access the site from their various personal computers. The secondary audience of office staff will access the site from office computers the majority of the time but on occasion from home computers. The high amount of usage from home computers and the lack of a connected network makes the implementation of a website absolutely neccesary.

Resources and Limitations

The latest web-authoring software is available in the office and web space is readily available through the university. Every office computer is connected to the internet and each Resident Advisor has immediate access to several wireless networks throughout campus. The office staff also has access to computers and the internet when not in the office.

General Solution

The resource web page would be an excellent way to consolidate the various online tools ERC RA's must access to complete their regular job duties. A single site that hosts all the information and resources would make the RA's much more competent and efficient. Additionally, the site would enable the decimination of critical information and it would insure the transfer of information is consistent and immediate.