By Xhaxany Cuellar, Assistant Editor
According to resident director Tim Kemp, RA’s or resident assistants assist resident directors in running a residence hall or apartment complex. According to Director of Residence Life, Kyle Smith, to become an RA one must complete the application process which also requires a few letters of recommendation. Applicants will participate in a group interview and then a one on one interview. Applicants chosen to be RAs will then start training which occurs two weeks before students move in. Smith described it as “a busy yet fun filled few weeks”
An RAs main role is to be the person who stays in touch with the residents and makes sure that their basic needs are met. An RA stays in touch with residents through various methods like group chats and one-on-one meetings. RA’s meet with their residents several times face to face during the semester and have greatly contributed to the transition for freshmen during their first year at college.
Transitioning into a new environment can be stressful, “especially in the dorms, you have people who are away from home for the first time and have a difficult time making that transition and don't know a single person's campus,” said RD Timp Kemp.
Freshman English major Brighton Koenig described her current RA as “sweet and caring” and says her RA has opened up a safe space for her through difficult times. Another current freshman and marketing major, Colton Morgan greatly appreciates his current RA and has had an overall positive experience with them. Morgan stated '' my current RA has helped me by creating a hands off environment which allows me to live independently without the worry of being overly monitored. “
. Being an RA can be difficult at times. RAs aim to create a bond with their residents built on trust; however, forming those relations can be difficult especially when first time students are still navigating how things work. RD Tim Kemp stated, “I think sometimes the hardest part is getting those relationships formed.” Another challenge faced by RA according to Kyle Smith is “making sure that we are not only taking care of our residents but taking care of ourselves as well. The hardest part is juggling the desire to take care of others, but the need to take care of yourself academically, spiritually, and emotionally.”
Current RA, Dillion Darah, a junior and engineering major has been an RA since last summer and has described his experience as “fun yet frustrating.” Darah has a packed schedule and says “learning to micromanage time has been difficult.” Another RA, senior management major, Rachel Ball, who has been an RA for three years and served as head RA for two years loves getting to mentor and guide other students through their college experience. Ball became an RA after seeing how her former RA staff poured themselves into the job and made her feel at home, this inspired Ball to do the same for others. Ball has faced some challenges along the way as well, she suffered from extreme burnout during her RA career which unfortunately occurs all too often amongst RAs.
For people considering becoming RAs, Darah and Ball Offers some words of advice. Ball says, ‘make sure you enforce personal boundaries to help with the burnout.” while Darah states “make sure your heart is in the right place.” Both RAs emphasized that people shouldn't do this for the money but rather because they have the heart and will to serve others.
