Resident Computer Consultant (RCC)

Resident Computer Consultants (RCCs) educate residents on all aspects of computing at Stanford, consult with residents on computer related problems, and support residential network connections and residence computer clusters. Most importantly, RCCs are expected to be available to residents. RCCs work primarily with the residence staff, Networking Systems, and the Residential Computing central support staff to accomplish their goals.

Responsibilities

NETWORK MANAGER
The RCC is responsible for supporting residential network connections. The RCC:

• Helps residents register for residential network connections.
• Helps maintain the residence computer network. Notifies the campus networking group of any problems.
• Helps users with basic hardware and software installations. (However, RCCs do not physically touch internal hardware for liability reasons.)
• Assists students having trouble connecting their computers to the network.

COMPUTER EDUCATOR
The RCC in undergraduate houses promotes computer awareness and proficiency:

• Introduces new students to Stanford's computing resources and assists them in acquiring basic computer literacy. In undergraduate residences with freshmen, this role requires a heavy time commitment Fall Quarter.
• In houses with new students, leads introductory sessions during New Student Orientation.
• In houses with new students, teaches a CS1C section in the residence Autumn Quarter and a CS2C section in the residence Winter Quarter. RCCs may team up to teach these courses if their individual section size is small.
• Develops applied-skills workshops to increase computer literacy. Possible workshop topics include web page development, UNIX tricks, graphic design, multimedia.
• Strives to develop an atmosphere conducive to the discussion of the computer's role in residential and academic life. We encourage the RCC to expose students to the political and ethical questions surrounding the increasing use of computers in society.
• In consultation with house staff, RCCs in undergraduate residences organize at least one community program each quarter, which may or may not be related to technology per se.
• RCCs are expected to be mentors to future undergraduate RCC applicants completing CS 196 - Computer Consulting, a prerequisite to be an RCC.

COMPUTER CONSULTANT
The RCC serves as a primary consulting resource for Stanford's residential community. The RCC:

• Is available to provide consulting for cluster users as well as for students who own their own computer.
• May hold seminars as a preventative consulting measure and to alleviate crisis consulting.
• Is familiar with other campus computing resources. The RCC is not expected to be able to answer every question. The RCC may direct students to other campus computer consultants, but is expected to follow issues after such referrals.

RESIDENCE CLUSTER MONITOR
The computer cluster is the public face of ResComp in the residences and are valuable learning spaces for Stanford students. As such, a high standard of functionality needs to be maintained at all times. RCCs are an important part of keeping our computer clusters clean and functioning and should feel a sense of ownership towards their clusters. The RCC:

• Replenishes printer paper and toner, and ensures there are adequate supplies.
• Proactively maintains cluster software, updating as directed by Rescomp Staff.
• Provides proactive, first-tier support for cluster hardware and furnishings.
• Promptly reports any damage or theft of any cluster equipment, including furniture and furnishings, to ResComp central staff
• Helps residents in the computer cluster. Is strongly encouraged to hold regular, unstructured "office hours" in the cluster.
• Sets policies for the functioning and security of the cluster. Publicizes and enforces these policies.
• Holds computer-related residence programs in the computer cluster (undergraduate dorms only).
• Submits and follows up on trouble tickets for all cluster software, hardware, and other problems that she/he is unable to solve.
• The RCC encourages residents to use the cluster for a wide-range of purposes.
• The RCC ensures that residents keep the cluster free of trash and un-related items.

Some undergraduate RCCs who share areas and graduate RCCs who do not have clusters within their support zones are expected to assist RCCs who are responsible for such clusters.

OTHER

• Works with the residence staff and students to help develop and implement various projects. Possible projects include the creation of residence databases and video yearbooks, the preparation of flyers and newsletters, and the creation and promotion of residence electronic mailing lists.
• Other duties as assigned.

While we expect RCCs to assume several roles and fulfill many responsibilities throughout the year, we do not expect the RCC to:

• Create the dorm newsletter, create all residence fliers, or maintain the website for their residence. Rather, the RCC may teach the other residents how to use the various cluster software programs to create a newsletter and/or fliers.
• Know the answer to every computer question. Rather, the RCC should help their residents become more self-sufficient. The RCC should introduce their residents to the various resources available to them.
• Invite residents to wake them up at all hours. Rather, the RCC may set reasonable guidelines for their residents on when it's OK and when it's not OK to awaken them.
• Handle crisis situations with residents and instead, contact the resident's RA or RF immediately.

Additional Expectations

• Undergraduate RCCs must arrive on campus about two weeks before classes begin in Fall quarter to attend RCC training. Training dates are listed in the RCC application. Row RCCs and RCCs without freshmen will be expected to assist freshmen Dorm RCCs during Freshman Arrival Day as part of the training program. RCCs must be able to attend all training to be eligible for the RCC position. No exceptions.
• Graduate RCCs must arrive about one week before Law School classes begin, typically at the end of August, for an abbreviated training before beginning work a few days later. Grad RCCs may also be required to attend the more detailed undergraduate RCC training in mid-September.
• Throughout the academic year RCCs are required to attend all RCC group meetings; undergraduate residence staff meetings to which they are invited by RFs or (on the Row) student manager staff, usually weekly; and staff retreats if invited. Row RCCs are expected to attend meetings to which they're invited by the Row Office.
• RCCs are expected to participate in the larger RCC community in various ways, for example by helping and collaborating with fellow RCCs when needed or requested, participating in the RCC newsgroup, and leading or attending small group RCC meetings.
• RCCs are expected to acknowledge requests for assistance as soon as possible but in any case within 24 hours, and to fulfill the request within 48 hours. If this isn't possible, they should inform residents promptly about how soon the problem can be resolved and be proactive about making arrangements with other RCCs to provide coverage for their residents during such times.
• RCCs are expected to submit a weekly report about their work done
• RCCs are expected to work an average of 8 hours per week throughout the academic year. Fall quarter is usually a heavier work load; Winter and Spring quarters are usually lighter work loads. RCCs should plan their course load and other commitments with this in mind.
• Dorm and Row undergraduate RCCs are expected to organize a program which brings their residents together. The program may not necessarily pertain to computers, but must involve meeting with a group of their residents.
• RCCs in graduate houses are highly encouraged to conduct educational programs.

Requirements

• Undergraduate students must have a guaranteed year of housing for the Dorm or the Row residences and graduate and coterminal students must have an eligible year of housing for the graduate residences (coterminal students are not eligible for the Row); it is applicants' responsibility to confirm this status with Housing Assignment Services. Grad student applicants and returning Grad RCCs should be aware that there is a maximum number of years they can live in University housing. International students (F-1 status) also have certain restrictions.
• Must be a registered student at Stanford during all three quarters in the academic year and may register at a reduced level if applicable registration requirements are met. (More information on registration options are available from the Registrar's Office.) Like other students, but mainly for Graduate students, if the degree is conferred at the end of Winter Quarter, RCCs may petition with Stanford Housing to remain in housing unregistered for Spring Quarter.
• Students planning to study abroad for one or more quarters during the academic year, are ineligible for the RCC position.
• In good academic standing. Candidates who are on probation or provisional registration may not be considered for an RCC position.
• Live in the residence to which they are assigned for the full academic year. In houses where board is required, RCCs must purchase at least the minimum board plan.
• Row RCCs must meet all requirements for any house that they live in (e.g., academic theme requirement).
• Willingness to learn and apply new knowledge and techniques
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with Windows and/or Macintosh Operation System applications
• Familiarity with computing resources on campus as well as internet resources such as email and the web.
• Undergraduates must take CS196 (Computer Consulting) before beginning the position. To request to be waived out of this requirement, a placement assessment is only available on the first day of CS196 class each quarter it is offered.

Preferred Traits

• Experience helping and teaching others.
• Experience organizing projects and working on a team.
• Demonstrated interest in contributing to life in the residences.
• Experience consulting, teaching or tutoring especially formally in a university environment within the last academic year.
• Relevant business or work experience.

How to Apply

See the RCC Hiring Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Contact

[email protected]