RA's or Resident Assistants are tasked with maintaining campus safety and upholding policies and procedures. There are many things that people truly don't understand about being an RA. Here is an inside look.
Quiet Hours Violation - STFU! I don't want to write you up for being loud! I am an extremely loud person and I understand when 17 or more people gather in one place the noise level is going to be pretty extreme, but I HAVE TO DOCUMENT noise violations... so please, please, please just SHHHHHHH!
Alcohol Violation - If I can't be LIT you can't be LIT! I am of legal age to drink and because I live on the dry side of campus to watch you I can't enjoy alcohol in my residence, so you shouldn't either. Plus you aren't even old enough! When I have to document you because you are drinking not only do I have to fill out paper work (normally extremely late at night), but I get jealous that I too am not enjoying a refreshing beverage.
Roommate Mediation - Just tolerate each other! Just kidding. If its really a big deal to you I will help you, but if its something that you can handle on your own try that first. Please just try to be a person first and then seek help from me if you need me.
Decorating the floor - I want the floor to be decorated because I can't stare at the plain white walls all the time. So I put a lot of time into the decorations making sure that everything looks nice and welcoming. I try not to spend too much money on the stuff because I am poor like all of you, but I still put so much effort and thought into what the floor looks like, so appreciate it!
Office Hours - 2 hours of mandated homework time. We sit in this office and lay on couches in order to do lock outs or answer phones, but what else would you do when you can't leave somewhere? HOME WORK. Office hours are basically a blessing and a curse.
Rounds - Please let me go to bed. I am so tired. I normally stay up late anyway but the night that I have rounds I am always exhausted and just grouchy. I have to stay up very late and walk around checking that everything is OK and that no rules are being broken. I walk around constantly saying "please let everyone be on their best behavior tonight" so that I am not up until dawn writing reports.
Cleanliness - My most common thought is WHO ARE THESE ANIMALS!? When living with a bunch of people it really will amaze you what people will do and all the gross things they leave behind. Paper towels on the floor, hair/food in the drains, trash everywhere, leaving moldy food out, and just general messiness. Moral of the story- please clean up after yourself.
Being there all the time - As an RA we are supposed to be available to our residents most of the time, but we are people too and will not always be on campus or available. I have homework and a social life and a family, so if I am not available don't get frustrated, just look for one of the other 94 RA's.
Generally documenting anything - PAPERWORK.... Documenting things is just more work added to the hectic life of an RA. Many people assume that RA's are out to find violations but in reality documenting those violations is just more work for us and a hassle that makes you angry at us... so we don't want to do that.
Doing a lockout - How far do you live? If I am not up for a walk and you say you live more than two buildings away I immediately don't want to help you because walking is a chore. Again, I will do it because I want to help you, but please don't make me walk.
Overall, RA's are here for you, but remember that we are people too and aren't always out to get everyone in trouble.
