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WELCOME!  This site contains important information and forms pertaining to RCL’s Front Desks.

In-Service Calendar

Fall 2008

11 In-Services will be offered this semester.  You will have to go to/complete 3 out of 11.

 Fire, Health, & Safety Presentation.  Thursday, Aug. 14^th, 2008 @ 10am.  Ben Sears will give a lecture on safety around campus.  In order to receive credit for this In-Service you will only need to attend the session.  DSs will take attendance since the presentation is apart of training.

Be A Big Sibling. Sing up before Friday, August 29^th. With the assistance of Jen Rentshler from Volunteer and Service Learning you will sign up for the Big Sibling program.  This program is dedicated to serving the area communities outside of Longwood with its commitment to touch the lives of children who may need encouragement and support otherwise offered by older siblings.  Accepted applicants will be matched with little siblings, usually ages 6 - 10, who have been referred to Volunteer and Service Learning as needing support, guidance, or just a little encouragement from a big brother or sister.  This is a one year commitment and you are expected to  meet one hour per week with your Lil Sibling.  This will count as your in services for the entire year! Please contact Jennifer Huddleston, huddlestonjm@longwood.edu, if you are interested.  You must have contacted Jennifer prior to August 29^th. 

African Folktales with Obakunle Akinlana.  Tuesday, Sept. 9^th, 2008 @ 8pm in Wygal Auditorium.  A program put on by Lancer Productions.  Obakunle Akinlana is a storyteller who uses drums, shekeres, and other African musical instruments to present fun and exciting traditional African folktales.  In order to receive credit for this In-Service, you will need to fill out an evaluation form using Survey Monkey (link for evaluation will be sent to you in an email). 

Fire Extinguisher Training. Tuesday, September 16^th @ 3:00pm outside the Longwood Village clubhouse.  Ben Sears from Environmental Health and Safety will discuss the basic tips on preventing fires and go over how to properly use a fire extinguisher.  Participants will be firing the extinguishers so a MAXIUM of 15 per session.  Please email Jennifer Huddleston at huddlestonjm@longwood.edu to sign up in advance.  Once 15 desk aides sign up no more will be permitted to participate.  You will receive credit for attending and filling out a short survey at the end of the in service.

 Fire Extinguisher Training. Wednesday, October 1^st @ 4:30pm outside the Longwood Village clubhouse.  Ben Sears from Environmental Health and Safety will discuss the basic tips on preventing fires and go over how to properly use a fire extinguisher.  Participants will be firing the extinguishers so a MAXIUM of 15 per session.  Please email Jennifer Huddleston at huddlestonjm@longwood.edu to sign up in advance.  Once 15 desk aides sign up no more will be permitted to participate.  You will receive credit for attending and filling out a short survey at the end of the in service.

 Thursday, October 2^nd. Food for Thought – What is Longwood Doing to be Green? Dining Hall Annex @ 12:00pm.  Members of the Longwood Sustainability Committee will share all that Longwood does in terms of Sustainablity.  Is there more to do?  Sure.  Share your reactions and suggestions for future green steps to be made at Longwood University.  In order to receive credit for this in service you must email Jennifer Huddleston four things that you learned that Longwood is doing to be sustainable and then one suggestion you have for the school.  This list is due by 5:00pm on Friday, October 3^rd in order to receive credit.

 Interview Workshop.  Wednesday, Oct. 15^th, 2008 @ 4pm in the Career Center Classroom (Lancaster G09—beside the ground floor lounge) Ellen Masters from the Career Center will teach you the techniques needed to have a successful interview.  In order to receive credit for this In-Service, you will need to sign in before the program begins, and fill out an evaluation form using Survey Monkey (link for evaluation will be sent to you in an email).

 RA Hall Program.  To be completed by Friday, Nov. 14^th, 2008 @ 5pm.  You will attend 1 RA hall program.  In order to receive credit for this In-Service you will have the RA(s) hosting the program sign a form (will be sent to you in an email), and fill out an evaluation form using Survey Monkey (link for evaluation will be sent to you in an email).

 Improving Your Sustainability.  Friday, Nov. 14^th, 2008 @ 5pm.  You will need to come up with 20 ways in which you could become more sustainable. Type up your ideas and submit them to Charde’ Ferguson on or before the above date and time, and don’t forget to fill out an evaluation form using Survey Monkey (link for evaluation will be sent to you in an email).  Please note:  that your ideas will be featured on bulletin boards across campus.

  Hunger & Homelessness Week – Faces of Homelessness Panel. Thursday, November 20^th @ TBA. The Office of Volunteer and Service Learning will have a panel, comprised of people who are or have been homeless, who will educate students about homelessness and what can be done to end it. In order to receive credit for this in service you will need to fill out an evaluation form using Survey Monkey (link for evaluation will be sent to you in an email).

 Stress Management.  Tuesday, Nov. 25^th, 2008 @ 5:30pm in the Health & Fitness classroom (top floor next to the bathrooms, across from the Health & Wellness Cneter).  Sasha Gregory from the Health and Wellness Center will provide information on how to manage the stress in your life.  In order to receive credit for this In-Service, you will need to sign in before the program begins, and fill out an evaluation form using Survey Monkey (link for evaluation will be sent to you in an email).  

 Desk Aide Application 

We are glad that you are interested in becoming a Desk Aide.  Before you apply, you should know a few things:

Position Description: The Desk Aide (DA) position is a critical “frontline” position within Residential and Commuter Life operation at Longwood University.  First and foremost, a Desk Aide is responsible for knowing, voicing, modeling, and motivating students and guests to adhere to expectations of Longwood University related to the policies, procedures, safety and security of the Longwood managed communities.

A Desk Aide is a representative of Longwood University, a source of information for residents and guests, and a liaison to Residential and Commuter Life and other University offices essential to the proper management, maintenance, and safety of the residence halls.  When at the residence hall service desk, Desk Aides are the most accessible Residential and Commuter Life staff members. It is imperative, that while working, Desk Aides personally accept responsibility and accountability for the service, support, safety and security of the residence hall(s) to which they are assigned.  Some of the responsibilities include monitoring “tailgating”, managing keys, answering, questions, and serving as the Service Center of First Impressions.

Main Campus Desk Aides must be eligible for Federal Work Study (FWS).  To check if you have FWS, you can go onto the "myLongwood" under Financial Aid Award Information by year.  If you have been awarded FWS, the amount will be located at the top of the page.  You can also contact the Finical Aid office (X2077), and someone from there can tell you. (FWS is not a requirement for Apartment Desk Aides but is recommended)

Desk Aides are required to work some nights and weekends.  They are also required to stay later and arrive earlier than other students during breaks.

As a Desk Aide, you will represent Longwood, and you are expected to act accordingly.

If you are interested in becoming a Desk Aide, click on the link below, print off an application, complete it, and take it to the RCL office located in Lancaster G-13.  The Desk Coordinator will contact you after she has reviewed your application.

The Longwood-managed apartments will be hiring several desk aides for next semester.  All applications are due by 5:00pm on Tuesday, November 11^th.  It is preferred that students work in the apartments where they reside, however anyone may submit an application.

Click here for:
Main Campus Desk Aide Application                                                Apartment Desk Aide Application
   Supervisor: Charde Ferguson                                                      Supervisor: Jennifer Huddleston

 Desk Aide Manual

All Desk Aides are required to read, understand, and adhere to the procedures presented in this manual. 

Click Here For the Desk Aide Manual

Desk Aide Quiz

The following quiz was developed to assure that Desk Aides have read and understood the Desk Aide Manual.  You will only have to complete the quiz if asked to do so by supervising staff members. 

Click Here for the Desk Aide Quiz

 Desk Forms

The following are various forms that are used at the front desks. 

Checklists for Leadership Assignments

Procedures At A Glance

The following checklists are for various activities at the desk  

Tasks That Should Be Completed During Your Shift

• Swipe Cards

• Put up name tag

• (DAs) Fill out time sheet

• Fill out Communication Log (be sure that you’ve gone back since the last time you worked and
  answer all the questions of the day)

• Attempt to retrieve all checked out items (Information Located in Logs)

• Count money in equipment and key boxes

• Clean up any mess you may have made

• Swipe card

• If no one has arrived to take over upon the completion of your shift, perform the following tasks:

• o       Hang the “Temporary Closed” sign

• o       Turn off the computer

• o       Turn off heater

• o       Lock key cabinet

Fire Alarm & Fire Drill Checklist

• DO NOT PANIC!!  Take slow deep breaths and follow the rest of the instructions. 

• Note the location of the alarm on the fire alarm box.

•  

• Call X-911, State the following:  “My name is  ____________, and I am a desk aide in _________ Hall.  We have a fire alarm sounding on the (location of the alarm).  Stay on the line until told to do so otherwise.

• If your building has elevators, and a RA or the REC has not already done so, get the elevator shut off key from the loaner key box, and call the elevators down, and turn them off.

• The RAs need to have the fire binder. If they haven’t come to get it, grab it, put the “fire sock” on the door, lock the desk, and wait by the front doors with the elevator keys for the Campus Police, if you have them. If you do not have the keys, move to the other side of the road.

• Assist with getting people back into the building once the all clear has been given.

• Remain available to assist staff and emergency personnel.