The application deadline for students seeking to become community advisers is Thursday.

CAs are student staff members working under a hall director to manage and create a safe, secure and welcoming environment for the students who live on their floor, said Gidget Lewis, assistant director for recruitment and development for Housing and Dining.

Responsibilities also include enforcing university policy and regulations, assisting students with personal and academic concerns, maintaining mature behavior and encouraging a sense of community on the floor.

Lewis estimates there will be about 10 openings to fill among the 140 total slots. Circumstances that impacted the number of openings include not maintaining grade point average standards or leaving the university, Lewis said.

“Right now, we’re getting our numbers from the hall directors in terms of whether or not they’re going to be having someone on their staff who is going to leave for whatever reason,” Lewis said.

Requirements to be a CA include having 30 credit hours completed by the end of this semester, possessing a minimum GPA of 2.3, being available for Thursday meetings from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and having at least one semester of group living experience, according to the NIU Housing and Dining Web site.

Becoming a CA starts with filling out the online application, complete with three reference forms, cover letter and resumé. The recruitment committee then evaluates the applicant prior to the interview process, which takes place from Nov. 16 to Nov. 18.

Being a CA is an invaluable experience for students, Lewis said.

“I think [students] should come in knowing that this is a wonderful opportunity that they could learn and grow from, and there will be times and things that challenge them, but that’s a good thing,” Lewis said.

Attendance at one of the following information sessions is required for those wishing to apply to be community advisers for the Spring 2008 semester:

• 4 p.m. today, Stevenson Smart Classroom

• 9 p.m. Monday, Lincoln Commons

• 7 p.m. Tuesday, Douglas Blue Room

• 9 p.m. Wednesday, Neptune NE/SE Conference Room