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| Me (on the right) in Sophie's Lounge with friends Emily Cotter and Kelley Coco |
Being an R.A. was one of my favorite aspects of living at the Castle. Honestly.
Among other things:
· it's fun to have an extra set of keys and to carry a portable phone that looks like a cell phone
· it's nice to be asked questions by other students who trust your advice
· it's great to have a single (though a few other students have them too)
· it's helpful to come here a week before the rest of the students
For me, one of the most difficult aspects of being an R.A. was enforcing some of the rules, esp. the "quiet after 11pm" rule. It's difficult to find a balance between being a student among your peers and being an authoritative R.A. Part of me always felt guilty or obnoxious for asking the residents to abide by the rules, but I didn't want to get walked all over. Plus, it's part of the job description. The best R.A. should let students know from the start that he/she will implement the rules and won't let anyone get away with the stricter ones.
Don't be afraid to call who ever is on duty after hours if it is necessary, sometimes you'll need their help.
The R.A. position at the castle, so I've heard, is quite different from that of the main campus in Boston. There isn't any major paper work to fill out, and most of the job is about how you believe you should respond to situations (vs. a completely rigid structure). There are only 2 R.A.s on campus, one in each building (the main castle and the V.B.), and they work together to complete responsibilities (Katie Oliveri was the other one my semester).
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| Katie Oliveri, so cute (she doesn't want to leave) |
Some tasks of the Castle R.A.:
§ devising (Monday night, aka when the Vink is closed) activities for the students
§ making flyers for activities, new information, rules, etc.
§ 3 hours a week working in the student services office (aka the desk in the room before the dining hall. youd be surprised how many students dont know that space is called student services)
§ alternating with the other R.A. between on duty weekends (read: staying at the castle every other Saturday and Sunday.) Fridays (no classes) are not included.
§ on call once or twice a week
§ opening up the video vault (as I like to call it) and signing out movies to students
§ aiding the staff members with various chores
§ announcing birthdays and passing out the Castle gift (dont slack on this task as much as Katie and I did)
§ keeping the noise level down during quiet hours (starting at 11pm)
§ enforcing the few rules at the Castle (no drinking alcohol or smoking on campus unless in Sophies (drinking) or in the courtyard (smoking cigarettes))
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| Student Services- RA desk |
The R.A.s each get a single in either the Main Castle or the V.B. I lived in the V.B. and I loved it. Each have a sink (like most rooms), and are across from showers. Though they're both of good size, the V.B. room is slightly larger, and it has a lounge chair (see below). However, the M.C. room has a secret stairway, which you can climb up (though Katie thinks its creepy and wouldnt recommend it).
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| My chair! The only one in a student room. (everyone is envious) |
The V.B. room is on the second floor next to the stairs and a door (when students run up the stairs and slam the door its quite loud), the window faces the courtyard (which is usually loud between 11pm and 2am), and the lounge with the TV and pool table are underneath (which isnt that loud).
The M.C. room is right next to Sophies kitchen and Sophies lounge, which is quite loud until about 11pm when it closes. Theres a piano in there, but most students know better than to play late at night.
If you're about to become the new R.A., I'd love to give you some advice or information on the position. You can reach me at whitney_lauritsen@emerson.edu.
If you're a student reading over this, all I ask is that you respect your R.A.s. They'll greatly appreciate it.
I made a little cardboard sign that I put on my door, which let residents know whether or not I was in my room or on duty/call. I often forgot to change it, but it would have been helpful if I had remembered.
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