The role of the Residential Assistant (RA) plays an important part in the CCA residential community in advancing the mission of the department, enhancing the residential curriculum, and improving the residential student experience at CCA. They are your peers, your fellow community members, and a resource during your time living in the halls. Residents will be able to connect with their RAs during move-in day and throughout the academic year through programs and events, including community meetings. The RA on-duty phone number is only for active residential students to support lockout after-hours and residential emergencies.

The RA team also help keep our residential community safe, by educating residents on our residential community standards, the student code of conduct, and additional campus policies listed in the Student Handbook. If you have any questions regarding these policies, please contact your assigned RA or email housingdining@cca.edu.

Chimera Leadership and RA positions

• Students who would like to apply for the next chimera leadership application cycle for Residential Assistant positions can visit here. Please email chimeraleaders@cca.edu if you have any questions:

The roles of the RA

• Community Builder
• Referral Agent
• Team Member
• College Representative
• Educator/Programmer
• Administrator

Fourth Year Animation Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

There’s a lot more opportunities to form connections than you think. Joining the events and getting to know who makes part of the people you’re living with offers that chance to share a little bit about who you are, learn about different experiences and maybe even collaborate artistically with those who share a similar vision with you! It’s a unique experience so take full advantage. :)

Fifth Year Architecture Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

Get to know your neighbors, they could come of great help.

Fifth Year Architecture Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

Be sure to explore the City, there’s so many cool things to see and do.

Fourth Year Animation Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

Try and take advantage of being so close to campus and other artists it can be really fun do spend time together. Also decorating and making your dorm and room feel like a comfortable place to land after a long day of classes can make a world of difference.

Fourth Year Illustration Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

Try and take advantage of being so close to campus and other artists it can be really fun do spend time together. Also decorating and making your dorm and room feel like a comfortable place to land after a long day of classes can make a world of difference.

Fourth Year Individualized

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

Get out of your room and talk to someone! Living in the residential halls brings you closer to your peers and there’s plenty of opportunities to meet new people during events.

Third Year Print Media Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

You get a sense of community living in the halls. The most fun you will have is by participating in the events that the RAs have to offer.

Third Year Interaction Design Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

Residence @ CCA is all about community. Take the chance to meet people from different majors, interests, countries, and identities, while taking care of yourselves and others too. And if you're a little shy, get to know me too :D

Third Year Painting & Drawing Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

I am someone who needs to change location to study. Sometimes changing your study habits can not only feel productive but it's an opportunity to connect with new people and talk about an assignment you're working on. One of the many things I enjoy living in Founders Hall is the variety of events hosted on All floors. I have met a lot of great people through those events. Welcome to Founders Hall!

Third Year Painting Drawing Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

Be sure to engage with your community! What makes living in campus dorms so special is that you have a diverse community of other students surrounding you! That can be found in many different forms, whether it's making friends with your neighbors or other residents, participating in residential events, or engaging with other students to try and get advice on life here at CCA. Reach out and make the most of the resources here! :)

Fourth Year Animation Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

The fun part about living in the residential halls is that you're always gonna run into someone with similar interests as you.

Second Year Animation Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

Don't be afraid to say hi to your neighbors and fellow residents! Participating in events may feel intimidating sometimes, but trust that everyone is happy to see you and get to know you!

Fourth Year Animation Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

My advice is to communicate with your roommates and neighbors with empathy and an open mind. The best part about living in the dorms is meeting new people and making new friends.

Third Year Individualized Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

One of the best things about living in the residence halls is becoming a part of a diverse community. Living in a place where your roommates, friends, and residents are painters, designers, sculptors, filmmakers, animators, etc. gives students exposure to many different fields and professions. It enables students to build global life-long connections with students from across the world.

Second Year Illustration Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

Decorate! Decorating your dorm is a good way to make your living space your happy place. It can help you keep a positive mindset, and be a place to create your own little sub-community at CCA. If you don't have a roommate (or even if you do) get some plants as well. They make amazing pets and are wonderful to talk to. :)

Second Year Film Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

Be open to learning about people who aren’t like you. You never know how great the outcome will be!

Second Year Interactive Design

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

If you take the elevator give yourself the opportunity to say hello to the people around you many people make life long friends with the people they meet in the elevator.

Fourth Year Industrial Design Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

You are living in a five-story cube filled 100% with people who love to make, create, and solve problems. Isn't that cool!? Take advantage of it :-) but don't forget to go outside and explore the bay too!

Second Year Film Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

The advice I’d give is never overlook a potential opportunity. Whether that be events or working on projects collaboratively.

Fifth-year Illustration + Painting/Drawing + Computational Practices Minor

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

The Bay Area is truly one of the coolest places in the world! If your'e lucky enough to have some downtime in your schedule I highly recommend you go explore the city (especially if you are not from here)! San Francisco has a little bit of everything for everyone including hiking trails, fine dining, live music, and my personal favorite: drag shows. So if you're ever bored, you're probably doing it wrong. Being a CCA student comes with special perks that make exploring the city possible including discounted rates for the Lyft bike-share program and our new CCA Pass so its important to take full advantage of these resources.

Fourth Year Architecture with an Ecological Practices Minor

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

Follow the rules/housing policy, join events hosted by the RAs, step out of your comfort zones, socialize and meet new people! Networking is crucial in college and in your future careers. Events are a great opportunity to expand your network and to meet other students from other departments as well. I have met plenty of the most talented and down-to-earth individuals from other departments during these events! Most importantly, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions.

Second Year Architecture Major

What advice would you give residents living in the residential halls or what’s fun about living in the residential halls?

What's fun about living in the residential halls are your friends and neighbors! it's amazing how every time you leave your dorm, be it at the microwaves, the elevators, or Makers Cafe, you're always running into people! The subtle nod or energetic "Hi" exchanged truly makes me feel part of a community further making this place a home away from home for me! Some advice; as comfortable and as cozy as your dorms are, it's important to get off campus and go explore the city! That's the best part about Founders' Location. We're pretty much a 20-30 minute bus ride from every major attraction and with the abundance of parks and scenic spots in SF, it's worth taking a trip and maybe doing your homework at a different spot!