2008 Woodie Awards
RAs: Are they really assisting residents?
Jimmy O'Neill
Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: Opinion
Originally published: 4/12/07 at 3:49 PM EST
Last update: 4/12/07 at 3:49 PM EST
- Page 1 of 1
They're the phantom watcher down the hall.
They're your surrogate mother for eight months out of the year. They are the resident assistant.
Who are these people, exactly? What is their occupation, and what do they want from me?
Recently, I was chatting with a dorm-dwelling chum of mine and he informed me that he had been "written up." Apparently, an RA heard a can crack open in his room and decided to investigate. With minimal investigation, the patroller found a stash of empty Keystone Light cans under the bed. There was no stern warning, no slap on the wrist or anything like that - just a one-way ticket to Bustedville.
He'll probably have to go through Alcohol EDU - a brilliant program that forces students into an awkward counseling session wherein they discuss the inexplicable act of drinking beer while in college. But why did the RA have to write him up? Couldn't he have been a little cooler about the whole situation?
Of course he could have, but a lot of RAs prefer to dole out justice to their residents instead of actually helping them. I'm sorry, but I've never had an "assistant" that punished me every time I bent a rule - until I went to college.
As if your privacy wasn't already being jeopardized by your roommate, you also have to deal with these life-sucking drones that try to bust you any time you violate the college rule book. During my sophomore year I had an RA that threatened to write us up for laughing in my dorm room.
It was around 10:30 p.m., and we were watching TV and laughing. As ridiculous as that sounds, it happened. That same RA wrote up another guy on my floor for taking a shower with his girlfriend. Mind you, these guys don't pay a cent to live in the dorms - weigh that against the $2,500 that you have to pay and you're looking at a paradox.
They should be giving you massages and helping you with your homework as a show of appreciation for picking up the slack at the Bursar's office.
If they wanted to live up to their title, they could actually help us out from time to time.
How about helping kids unpack their cars on opening weekend?
Why not give your residents some sound advice instead of arbitrarily asking them how their classes are going?
I must admit that not all RAs are plaguing their residents. Freshman year I had a terrific RA named Katie, a girl that actually took pride in her job.
I say it's time for RAs to step up and buck the bad rep. Come on RAs, live up to the name and assist your residents.
They're your surrogate mother for eight months out of the year. They are the resident assistant.
Who are these people, exactly? What is their occupation, and what do they want from me?
Recently, I was chatting with a dorm-dwelling chum of mine and he informed me that he had been "written up." Apparently, an RA heard a can crack open in his room and decided to investigate. With minimal investigation, the patroller found a stash of empty Keystone Light cans under the bed. There was no stern warning, no slap on the wrist or anything like that - just a one-way ticket to Bustedville.
He'll probably have to go through Alcohol EDU - a brilliant program that forces students into an awkward counseling session wherein they discuss the inexplicable act of drinking beer while in college. But why did the RA have to write him up? Couldn't he have been a little cooler about the whole situation?
Of course he could have, but a lot of RAs prefer to dole out justice to their residents instead of actually helping them. I'm sorry, but I've never had an "assistant" that punished me every time I bent a rule - until I went to college.
As if your privacy wasn't already being jeopardized by your roommate, you also have to deal with these life-sucking drones that try to bust you any time you violate the college rule book. During my sophomore year I had an RA that threatened to write us up for laughing in my dorm room.
It was around 10:30 p.m., and we were watching TV and laughing. As ridiculous as that sounds, it happened. That same RA wrote up another guy on my floor for taking a shower with his girlfriend. Mind you, these guys don't pay a cent to live in the dorms - weigh that against the $2,500 that you have to pay and you're looking at a paradox.
They should be giving you massages and helping you with your homework as a show of appreciation for picking up the slack at the Bursar's office.
If they wanted to live up to their title, they could actually help us out from time to time.
How about helping kids unpack their cars on opening weekend?
Why not give your residents some sound advice instead of arbitrarily asking them how their classes are going?
I must admit that not all RAs are plaguing their residents. Freshman year I had a terrific RA named Katie, a girl that actually took pride in her job.
I say it's time for RAs to step up and buck the bad rep. Come on RAs, live up to the name and assist your residents.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Dana
posted 4/13/07 @ 3:46 AM EST
After reading the opinion of this student, I would like to respond to this column. I am a first year Resident Assistant in Whiteface Hall, which is a first-year dorm. (Continued…)
Amanda and Ashley
posted 4/13/07 @ 12:45 PM EST
Jimmy,
We understand that you and your friend may have had a poor experience with an RA, but is it really right to judge all RA's on your poor experience. (Continued…)
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