The Life behind the Eyes of a RA

By Daija Russell - (Oneonta, NY)

Photo Via - Daija Russell

At the State University of New York at Oneonta, there are community builders, also known as a “Resident Advisor (RAs)”. Every residence hall on campus has a staff of RAs who work diligently trying to improving living on campus.

        When students first hear the name RA, it is automatically assumed that the RA lives in the building in order to “get people in trouble”. The problem with that stereotype is that it is inaccurate and not all RAs are the same. According to the Oneonta.edu, a resident advisor is the following, “A paraprofessional staff member who lives in a residence hall and oversees a floor of 10 - 30 students; they assist, support, and develop living/learning communities through various programmatic initiatives. RAs provide administrative support for the department and the College community. They facilitate policies and procedures, floor meetings, conduct peer counseling, attend hall government meetings, and provide on-call duty coverage during the semester. RAs are required to plan programs, attend training workshops, in-service sessions, and weekly staff meetings.” If that what being an RA entails then why does it have such a bad reputation? What kind of student does it take to become a successful RA? Well, I’m glad that you asked.

Photo Via - Daija Russell

            

What students fail to realize is that RAs are students just like them. They normally experience the same college experience that they do and have some insight on how to live a better life on campus. However, just like you have emotions so do RAs. Just because a student is an RA that doesn’t excuse them from the stress factors that college experience comes with. RAs are not immune to the natural factors of life, nor are they superheros, or police officers. I truly believe that if everyone experienced what it is truly like to be an RA, they would receive sincere respect. Naturally those who do not respect those in authority is because they don’t have a true understanding of what their job entails, the pro and cons or even the stress factors.

Take a minute and think about it, those who work in Residence Life, also live in residence life. So, there’s no “running away from work, because work is home, and home is work”.

Photo Via - Daija Russell

It is important for people to know, “The Life behind the Eyes of an RA”. What does an RA do in their spare time? Who are the RAs friends with? What kind of social life do they have? When do they have classes? When do they have time to study? Do they ever leave the building? What is the downside about being an RA? Do you ever feel lonely? Is it possible for a RA to be friends with the residents as well as a respected policy enforcer? What are the real downsides about being an RA? If the RA is so concerned about the residents that live in the building, who is concerned about the RAs?

It is about time that those questions are answered. With that being said, people have to realize that every Resident Advisor is different and the demands and flow of the residence hall(s) varies from Resident Director to Resident Director. However, once that perfect match is made, that staff will become unstoppable.

Photo Via - Daija Russell

Watching the faculty and staff speak highly about Residence Life is wonderful, however they are not living on the front lines, nor are they the first responders to an incident, any incident for that kind. It is time for the real story to be told from those currently on the battlefield. Stayed tuned for the answers to those unanswered questions, the real life behind the eyes of an RA.