By Elise Lemay
Notoriously known for knocking on doors, enforcing quiet hours, and conducting room checks, resident assistants on campus also suffer from the grumbling ire of other students.
It’s a misunderstood role, said Abby Adams ‘19 an RA living in the 400s, “We’re people too.”
The RA role shifts depending upon the residential area where they are assigned. “When I was in Ryan for the first few years, a big thing was helping with homesickness.”Adams said, and added she was often a “resource” for first year students when it came to registering for classes, academic concerns and finding the right people to talk to on campus for specific problems.
“Being in the townhouses with seniors, people are pretty self sufficient.” said Adams, “For the most part it’s less having floor meetings, and more if you have a concern you can bring it up individually.”
RA Robert Dittus ‘19 who lives in Canterbury, said that the regular responsibilities include programming, his favorite part of the job because it’s about building community or “trying to make a residence hall into a neighborhood of sorts.”
Because Joyce Hall was closed this fall, a small population of first years living in the suites have increased attendance in programming events, said Shane Coughlin ‘21 an RA living in Canterbury. He holds “The Finer Things Club”, inspired by The Office, a popular TV show in pop culture, every second and fourth Monday of the month. Over cheese, crackers and sparkling cider, the club reads short stories and discusses them. Coughlin estimated that 75% of attendance of programs held through GREAT housing is made up by first years.
Being on duty is a different story, as responsibilities for RAs include walking around their living areas ensuring that all stoves and lights are off, making sure that noise levels are down, and the dreaded knocking on doors if they aren’t. “It never feels good, but it’s a part of our job and we have to do it.” said Dittus. “People are generally really respectful about it, and I always appreciate that.”
Adams, who has been an RA since her sophomore year admits that her least favorite part of the job is the “fishbowl effect”. “When you’re an RA, you’re always an RA”, said the senior, “and that’s hard because, you know, sometimes you want to have a personal life.” Resident assistants don’t typically have office hours, so their job is always happening, whether they’re on duty or holding programming, or just heading out on campus on a Saturday night.
Still, Dittus and Adams, both seniors who have been RAs for multiple years, said there is also a built in community. “I’ve had some great experiences and got to know some really cool people through it”, Dittus said, who recommends becoming an RA if you like getting to know people and are looking for a way to get connected with people in the SMC community.
“It’s this mini community where you can always find support.” said Adams.
The job doesn’t come without comedic relief, either. In Dittus’ first night as an RA, he responded to a call that there was a bird in a Pontigny common room. “Turns out it was probably just a cricket that got stuck in a vent” said Dittus. The senior also enjoys working the grill that operates on the weekends in the quad between Alumni and Ryan. “People can be really thankful when it comes to free, late night chicken. I’ve been told I’m doing God’s work,” said Coughlin.
While RAs can often get a bad reputation on campus, they want the student body to know they are here to help. “We are here to help, if you need anything, reach out to one of us. We’re here to help with anything you need, or point you to the right person who can help”said Gabriel Pineda ‘19.