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Undy Holt. a resident assistant in Dyment Hall, hands out information to resident Angie de
Antonis.
The job takes time, dedication,
but campus RAs say it's worth it
By Pamela Turla
Of dw KaaraM
Any student who has lived in ■ residence hall
knows the resident assistant, or RA, is an impor
tant part of the hall. Some students imagine RAs
as superhumans who make the hall tick or om
nipotent students who possess all knowledge of
dorm life. However, many people are unaware
that it takes an enormous amount of responsibili
ty and dedication to be an RA.
According to sophomore Shannon Leith, the
RA for Watson Hall, the position consists of not
only enforcing housing rules and policies, but
helping residents with academic, social and emo
tional problems.
"Mainly it's to be here for residents in
emergencies and as a friend and counselor," she
says.
RAs also must coordinate hall activities such
as weekly advisory board meetings and deal with
the abundant amount of paper work that comes
with maintaining a dorm — responsibilities that
can make being an RA time consuming, Leith
says.
Lindy Holt, the RA for Dyment Hall, a female
freshman dorm, says being an RA means having
time restraints placed on both her personal and
academic life. "I definitely don’t get to see my
friends as much," she says.
Chris Johnson, an RA for the seventh floor of
the University Inn. agrees, saying being an RA
makes it tougher to do well in school. Often, his
Job comes first and his schoolwork second, he
says.
But there are benefits. RAs receive free room
and board, and. depending on the hall, may have
a bathroom, office area and kitchenette. They also
receive $160 per month for spending money and
can earn extra money if they work over the
holidays.
There are personal benefits as well, Holt
says. The job often builds confidence, yet RAs
learn bom their mistakes at the same time, she
says.
“1 like knowing I’m helping people," Holt
says. “RAs work very hard to make it as though
people fit in and belong."
Dick Romm. University Housing residence
life director, says the camaiwierie of the RA staff
is a great advantage of being an RA.
"They have so much in common as far as
their Job is concerned." he says. “They may be
very different people and have very different in
terests, but that Job really bonds them."
Romm says there are four essential qualities
needed to be RA: sensitivity, a good attitude,
emotional maturity and good judgment.
Being sensitive to the different needs of the
residents is most important, he says. RAs should
"be able to pick up signals because sometimes
they (the residents) don't tell you things direct
ly," he says.
"When one student complains about
another, we want RAs to be sensitive to both peo
ple. not just the one that's complaining or the one
that's being complained about." he says.
A willingness to help others with mundane
chores such as restocking toilet paper or counsel
ing residents after a breakup with a boyfriend or
girlfriend is a necessary quality, he says.
Last year about 160 people applied for 55
positions. Romm says.
"We look for people who aren’t on a
downward spiral with their grades.” Romm says.
If an applicant's grades are questionable but he or
she seems capable of being a good RA, the person
Turn to RA, Page 19
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