The Omnibus

Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Grace Jeoung Beasley resident assistants answer questions that pertain to qualifications, duties and rewards of being an RA at a forum on Tuesday, Feb. 5. Student Life will begin the process for filling vacant RA positions throughout the semester.

Throughout the spring semester, various dorms will begin searching for new resident assistants, and Beasley Hall wanted to give girls the opportunity to learn more about becoming a resident assistant.
On Tuesday, Feb. 5, girls interested in an RA position had the chance to ask questions and get answers from current RAs in Beasley Hall.
Eleven students attended the forum and asked questions necessary to discover the life of an RA.
The topics of discussion included time management, on-call duties and dorm involvement.
Students learned about the positive and negative aspects of the life of an RA.
Resident assistants spend a large amount of time working together. Having other commitments makes the job more difficult.
"The hardest part of being an RA is balancing time," said junior Marita McCampbell.
Being an RA affects personal relationships with one's close friends. One can get stressed out, but that comes with most obligations.
Scheduling is a big issue. The RAs suggest a student take 15 or 16 credit hours per semester so as to not become too overwhelmed.
There will be times when an RA has to be on-call in the dorm, which means they cannot leave Bolivar during that time. An RA must serve a minimum of ten hours in the dorm doing things like working in the office and signing people in for curfew.
Resident assistants also have the opportunity to serve on Dorm Council.
Another suggestion the RA's had for students interested in becoming an RA was that it is best to have a private room. As an RA, one gets room and board paid for, and RAs only work on weekends if they are on-call.
Having the opportunity to get to know girls and see growth in their lives is one of the positive rewards of being an RA. It can be fun working together with other RAs and dorm staff.
"The good outweighs the bad," said sophomore Mallory McMillin.
Requirements for being considered to become an RA include having a 2.5 GPA and being a resident in the dorm they wish to serve for one semester. The student must have a sophomore standing with at least 24 credit hours.

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