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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 2004)
RAs, FAs employ people skills, leadership to manage residents Working for free room and board and a stipend, housing staff keep residents in line By Chelsea Duncan News Reporter Whether it's enforcing rules among their peers or finding a burning sofa in a trash bin, resident assistants and Freshman Interest Group academic as sistants face an array of challenges throughout their time as University res idence-hall employees. Residence Life Director Sandy Schoonover said being a residence hall staff member can be difficult but rewarding. "I think you really have to want to do the job," she said. For those who want to give it a shot, Wednesday is the last day to apply for a position as an RA or FA for the 2004-05 school year. Students selected to work as RAs receive free room and board for the academic year and a stipend of $600 — $650 for returning RAs — while FAs get a stipend of $250 and free room and board. Residence Life Assistant Director Tern Sedgwick said RAs and FAs are required to enforce University Housing policies in the residence halls and build com munity. They create programs for resi dents such as movie marathon nights and dances. FAs are also required to as sist with fall term Freshman Interest Group classes. Schoonover said having good people skills is probably the most important quality a residence-hall staff member can have. "Being a good community developer is the No. 1 rule, "she said. Throughout the hiring process, she said, applicants are evaluated for their abilities to interact and work well with others. In February, applicants will go through an interview process, which in cludes a group interview, an individual interview and group exercises to evalu ate how applicants handle situations they may face with residents. "The goal of the exercise is to see, how do they interact and communicate with each other as a group?" Schoonover said. After the interview process, appli cants attend a spring-term training course. This year, applicants will not know if they have been hired or chosen as alternates until about halfway through the course, Schoonover said. "When the/re in the class, we're bet ter able to assess their strengths and weaknesses," she said. About 125 students apply each year, she said, and about 30 to 50 are hired depending on how many current em ployees return to work the next year. About 15 applicants are placed on an alternate list. Turn to RAs, page 8 FPEP continued from page 1 pregnancy rate among youths 10 to 17 years old and increase the number of men receiving services from publicly funded family planning clinics. She added that she encourages stu dents to apply for the services. "It has been an extremely positive program for the students," she said. "Students are getting the information that they need, whether they're sexually active or not" However, Dehaven-Murdoch said students are limited in the quantity of services they can receive. Women are limited to one annual exam per 12 months and a maximum of 13 months worth of birth control at a time. Also, men and women are limited to 100 condoms per day, and FPEP will not cover non-symptomatic STI screen ing and treatment or medications and supplies relating to treating infections. Since July 2000, 9,580 women have been FPEP-eligible and 25,350 visits have been billed to FPEP, Dehaven Murdoch said. There have been 1,610 men who par ticipated in the program so far. FPEP does request that a student's in surance be billed first if the students has it. However, if a student wants to main tain confidentiality from the insurance or parents, FPEP will cover the services and the information will stay at the health center, Dehaven-Murdodh said. University junior Michael White felt that only students without insurance should get FPEP services. "If they are covered on their parent's insurance, I don't think it's a good idea that they are able use the program," she said. Senior McKenzie Gibson disagreed, saying the services should stay accessible "I think it's a good way for stu dents to be able to take care of their health," she said. "I'm really glad the grant was renewed." She added that many students can't afford birth control on their own and FPEP helps them to receive it and edu cate themselves. In the future, FPEP will provide va sectomies and female sterilization, ac cording to the Oregon Department of Human Services Child and Family Health division's Web site. Contact the crime/health/safety reporter at lisacatto@dailyemerald.com. Make a mark for yourself! Sponsored by 2004 UO Ameri( an MarkeHng Assoc iafion RecfuiHng Even! Wednesday January 28, 2004 5-7pm in fhe Lillis Afrium -Meet recruiters and polish your gambling skills -Livemusic, tood 8s prizes provided at this entirely LRLL event AH majors are invited to attend -Business c asual attire encour aged GOT A STORY IDEA? KmSJ; piezw 444 E.3RD • 484-191J • MON-SAT ll:30AM TO CLOSE South end of Ferry St. Bridge ALL DAY eveayday; AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON * leadership through academics * leadership through experience * leadership through connection uoleadership.uoregon.edu opportunities ■ resources ■ events I o JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO END EDUCATIONAL INEQUITY FIND OUT HOW: _ J0* -- Info Session and Alumni Panel • Thursday, January 29 I W 7:00 — 8:30 pm • EMU, Walnut Room ccounts of the corps member experience from UO alumni! Food and refreshments will be served. Final Application Deadline February 15, 2004 FOR www.teachforamerica
