The Life of a Resident Assistant

Throughout campus, RA’s continue to support and assist residents

By Caley Jorgensen

Story #8

December 13, 2010

Word Count: 891

                It’s 11 p.m. on a Thursday night. Muffled chatter of students can be heard echoing through the hallways in Oak Hall. The smells of late night snacks fill the air, including Raamen Noodles, popcorn right out of the microwave, and a frozen pizza in the community kitchen’s oven. Resident assistants walk through the halls and make sure everything is under control. Since it is the start of quiet hours, the RA’s reach in the residents’ rooms and quietly shut the door saying, “Goodnight guys.” In other words, this means, “It’s quiet hours.”

            Closing doors of resident’s dorm rooms at 11 p.m. on weekday nights and 1 a.m. on weekend nights is one of the responsibilities of a resident assistant on duty on campus. “A resident assistant is here to instill the safety and comfort of the residents to make it feel like home,” said Charlie Falk, Oak Hall’s resident assistant on 4A.



Charlie Falk works on the computer in the office for
Oak Hall staff members.



 A resident assistant has many different jobs as they look after their assigned floor, as well as the rest of the hall. They coordinate events and gatherings for residents so they can get to know each other. They also monitor floor behavior and respond appropriately to any prohibited activities. “We have to make sure they’re not doing certain recreational things, like hall sports or drinking,” said Melody Fellman, resident assistant on third floor in Tamarack Hall.

Not only do they play an authority figure, but RA’s are there for their residents as a supporting friend to come and talk to about any problems or issues. “Being able to put the residents’ problems before ours is important,” Falk said. “If I’m working on homework and a resident needs to talk about something or needs help, I stop what I’m doing to be there for them.”

            Some other responsibilities the resident assistants have to attain include checking students in and out of the dorm life. When they arrive to the dorms at the beginning of the year, RA’s are scattered throughout the crowd, making sure everyone has everything and assist getting students settled. Students will leave for long breaks and resident assistants check rooms to ensure safety, such as checking closed windows and protect against bursting steam pipes.

            Another responsibility that RA’s have is to be on duty. Resident assistants are assigned a night once or twice a month along with another RA to be on call for any help needed by students or other assistants. They carry an on duty phone to ensure they can be reached wherever they are in the dormitory hall. Walking through the halls to make sure everything is going smoothly and closing doors after quiet hours are the tasks they have to do.



Nick Ross stands with Anna Connelly,
a former resident on 4C in Oak Hall.



            To become a resident assistant, every February the Carousel Interview process begins to find students who would qualify as a good resident assistant. “It is a great experience to learn and grow,” said Nick Ross, a former staff member of Oak Hall. “You meet some amazing people, some people who could be in your life forever, and make a huge impact.”

            Benefits that come with being a resident assistant include free room and board, which includes a free university meal plan. RA’s also receive $1000 for the year in stipend. They also get the benefits of living on campus, such as being the proximity to academic buildings.

            Resident assistants get ten nights off a semester. If they will be out past 2 a.m., they need to sign out at the front desk. As long as half the staff is present in the building, RA’s are allowed to stay out past 11 p.m. and be back by 2 a.m. “That’s probably a disadvantage,” Falk said. “I have to ask for nights off and I don’t get to hang out with my friends as much.”



Charlie Falk, center, took the night off
and found time to hang out with friends.



            “I’m such a free bird,” Fellman said. “My friends call me up and say ‘Hey! Let’s go out!’ and I don’t always get the opportunity to leave.” It is Fellman’s first year as a resident assistant and she thinks the experience outweighs the disadvantages. “I love people and I love to help them, because it brings me joy,” she said. “It is good skill building and it has helped me realize what I can handle.”

            Resident assistants get the opportunity to spend time with their residents by making floor activities. “Some of the activities that we have done in the past include spaghetti nights, chili feeds, cookouts, playing football, or even just going to Wally’s together,” Falk said. He said programming, or setting up activities, is important “to unify and create a bond on the floor.”

            When February comes around the corner, students have the opportunity to be interviewed and be considered to become a resident assistant. “I would suggest becoming a resident life staff member to someone,” Ross said. “It’s a great idea and they will grow from it.” Fellman also recommends becoming an RA. “I have learned so much about myself and it has helped me grow,” she said. It will be Falk’s third year being a resident assistant if he becomes one in the 2010-11 year. “I’m definitely considering becoming one again,” he said. “It has been a great experience.”