DefinitionsUrban DictionaryIn a university residence hall (dorm), an RA is a student leader. They keep order, serve as a resource to residents, organize events, and generally work to maintain a positive living and learning community. Some residents do not like RAs because they see them only as authority figures who get them in trouble for policy violations. | The nice definition
"This weekend my RAs are organizing a movie night with the neighboring hall." "Quiet! Hide the beer, it's the RAs!" Someone who is under-paid to put up with the all of the bull shit that higher ups in the University won't. Typically they are seen as authority figures assigned to different floors of a college dorm or residence hall. They are expected to enforce university policy, provide a safe, community-like atmosphere, and plan corny community building programs that even they resent attending. Most notably, they deal with alcohol violations, over flowing toilets at 1 in the morning,and alcohol induced accidents (vomiting, fighting, and what not). | The more realistic definition RA#1: "Is there frat party tonight?" RA#2: "I think so..." RA#1: "Fml....I hope the boys don't try to drunkenly shit in the urinals again like last weekend." "I could teach a class on how to sneak in alcohol...but that would be inappropriate 'cause I'm an RA." (In a college or university) a student who is responsible for supervising and assisting other, typically younger, students who live in the same residence hall.
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What we doDocument Policy violationsIllegal Substances
Alcohol, marijuana, smoking cigarettes within 20 feet of a building, etc. Banned Items Illegal substance paraphernalia, candles, extension chords, space heaters, toasters, pets, etc. Programming
Active Programs
Community outings, bringing in outside organizations, movie nights, discussions, crafts, and more. Passive Programs Door decs, bulletin boards, and welcome signs. Behind the scenesOrganizationEmails
Weekly reports, duty logs, policy violation write ups, program proposals, program analysis, surveys (RA training themes, program assessments), asking residents for program ideas, reminders for residents, program announcements, collateral assignments, and way too many others. Meetings and Obligations Duty nights, building-staff meetings, area-staff meetings, RA-staff meetings, collateral-assignment staff meetings, 1-on-1 meetings, resident check in meetings, trips to the craft room, program-planning group meetings, programs.... you get the idea, there are a lot of meetings. Problem solvingFloor Conflicts
Roommates who don't get along, residents who want to change rooms, noise complaints, floor drama, maintenance concerns, etc. Your Own Life Planning your programs around your schedule and your residents schedule, coming up with floor themes, finding time to make floor decorations, scheduling your social life around your duty nights, along with dealing with the normal struggles of classes, your own friend drama, missing home, finances, and trying to have the best time of your life. |