Resident assistants keep peace

Resident assistants keep peace

Enforcement of rules, helping students remains top priority for
‘second parents’

By Susan Lee

Daily Bruin Contributor

While college is a time for independence from one’s family, some
UCLA students have found themselves in a parental role here.

Employed by the university, resident assistants (RAs) are
students who are responsible for advising and disciplining dorm and
suite residents.

Under the supervision of resident directors, resident assistants
try to establish a comfortable atmosphere conducive to studying in
on-campus housing. They also provide academic assistance to
residents and enforce university regulations.

Teresa Lee, a first-year resident assistant, said that residents
tend to see program assistants as more social while resident
assistants as the "ones to watch out for."

However, most students said they are understanding about the
reasons behind resident assistants’ strict enforcement of the
rules. Raymond Munoz, a first-year political science student, felt
his resident assistant got a lot of flack about enforcing quiet
hours.

"People wonder why she’s so strict, but I guess it’s just
because her job requires her to do that," Munoz said. "She’s really
nice as a person and has a great character but it’s her job to
enforce the rules."

Prospective resident assistants must fill out an application and
pass two rounds of interviews before they are hired. Resident
assistants attend a three-week training session before the
beginning of fall quarter.

Munoz considers his resident assistant extremely reliable.

"Any time I have a question about where to find something, I can
count on her. She’s there to listen to and give advice about
anything," Munoz said.

Resident assistants are also required to do "duty" two to three
times a week. They patrol the residence halls wearing a uniform,
toting a radio and checking up on students.

The Office of Residential Life maintains that resident
assistants should consider the job their second priority after
academics – and they must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA as a condition
of their job.

Jason Knox, a returning resident assistant, said that because
the job takes up a lot of his time, he often spends his weekends
studying. Resident assistants are expected to work approximately 42
percent of the time they spend in the dorms.

Although they are not paid, resident assistants are provided
with free room, board and basic phone service.

Knox cited housing and meals as the initial reasons he was
interested in becoming a resident assistant. He also felt he still
has more growing up to do and that he continually learns from his
residents.

"Sometimes, even in passing, they’ll say something that really
makes you think," Knox said. "And that’s something I really think
is valuable."

Other resident assistants said they decided to go for the job
because they like working with people. Lee, a third-year
biology/communications student, said that she wants to get involved
in counseling.

"The best part is the residents. It’s good to be able to help
people and they’re all so interesting. The job is great because it
has minimum paperwork … the focus is on residents," Lee said.

Although resident assistants undergo comprehensive training, Lee
said there was a lot that could not be taught during the sessions.
Lee cited roommate conflicts during the first quarter as an
especially draining problem she had to deal with.

As far as personal relationships go, Knox felt that some
resident assistants have a hard time balancing their private lives
while trying to be a role model at the same time.

"It’s a difficult tightrope to walk, especially since our house
is the office and the office is our house," Knox said. "My worst
experience was when I personally got involved with someone. It
ended up affecting my job because I had to try balance being
professional and being myself."

Resident assistants are required to be on site in their
residence hall or suite three to four times each week, as well as
be available at all times for emergencies. Resident assistants
living in the high rise dorms are responsible for as many as 70
students.

Telly Tse, a first-year economics/history student, said that
resident assistants play an essential role in the development of
undergraduate students.

"They set examples with their actions and as older students they
also show maturity and responsibility. Not only do they watch over
you but they do other things like secure the area," Tse said.

Lee said her scariest experience as a resident assistant was
when someone fell and hurt himself at 1 a.m.

"That one time made me realize how serious a job this was.
Within 10 minutes, we had the CSO supervisor, UC police department
and emergency medical team over to help," Lee said. "That was
reassuring to me because I realized how prepared we really were. To
tell you the truth, I was kind of surprised at how good the system
was."

Although Knox, a transfer student, is unsure as to whether or
not he will return as a resident assistant for a third year, he
said the experience has been invaluable.

"I see reflections of myself in the residents," Knox said. "The
job has it’s positives and negatives, like working in a system, but
personal growth is a major thing I’ve gained."Comments to
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