Page 63 - ThePhoenix1997-98

COMMENTARY Thursday, November 20, 1997 - Page 3 AH, VERY GOOD, SADDAM. I SEE YOU'RE READY DR. IRA QI PLr.ASE ~o HoT f>1$TV~8. I"lt LI T A~y .sCI E!4CE. /101 TESTI'" 'My4SS. f1 ~ Letter to the Editor Resident Assistant greatly appreciated As we were introduced to the many duties that come with the however, required that all R.A.s Sushama sent out a phone-mail college during freshman orienta- title. In a first-year dorm, like attend workshops two and a half message telling all floor residents ing classes. and question and an- tion in late August. we were intro- Whiteford and Rouzer, R.A.s are weeks before the fall semester and that she has and open-door policy. swer programs about the registra- duced to many new and sometimes supposed to assist the students in two to three days before the stan She wants to be our friend as well tion process are just four of the pro- she has designed. grams foreign abbreviations. One of these transition to donn and college life. of the spring semester. So in actu- as OUf floor monitor. This has made was R.A., or Resident Assistant. They can do this by holding infor- ality, R.A.s should be well-pre- an awesome impact on the spirit of The residents of the second Mandatory floor meetings were mal interviews with the students, pared to carry out their duties. the second floor. The bathrooms floor consider ourselves extremely held one night during freshman ori- lucky to have a R.A. like Sushama. entation where the R.A. was sup- "Other residents often complain about their R.A.s lfthere is a She definitely embodies the char- posed to become acquainted with acteristics a R.A. should possess. the floor residents and vice versa. problem, it seems their R.A. is nowhere to be found or that they She takes her job seriously and is That night, Sushama Rajapaksa, could care less about the situation." dedicated to making OUf lives as RA. for second floor of Whiteford, first-year residents a pleasurable told us her duties as a R.A. and the faculty, and the resident staff. The problems that many R.A.s and hallways are spotless compared one. It would be beneficial if all what she expected of us as first- It is the R.A.'s task to ensure the have may be due to the fact that to the mess on other floors. R.A.s tried to model themselves year residents. I have heard many comfort of a first-year resident. they are not serious enough about Sushama meets at least monthly after Sushama and the way she horror stories about R.A.s on other Responsibility and.accountability their job. Other residents often with the housekeeping staff to en- handles problems. The R.A.s enOti.gh probl.ems adjusting to their 1 floors but none has been voiced for actions and belongings are complain about their R.A.s. If there sure cleanliness and to be certain should realize that freshmen have about OUf R.A. on the second floor. asked to be taught by the R.A.s. In is a problem, it seems their R.A. is that the residents are not causing I think our R.A. is a rare entity on this area, a R.A. should help first- nowhere to be found or they could any serious problems. She has also first year of college. They campus and future R.A.s should be year residents to "grow-up" and care less about the situation. This organized different programs for shouldn't have to carry the extra as well trained and committed as become more mature about their is not the case with Whiteford sec- fun cultural diversity, and educa- worry of their R.A. not fully com- Sushama Rajapaksa. actions. Training for the position ond-floor R.A., Sushama pleting their job As a resident assistant, there are of R.A. is not very extensive. It is, Rajapakse. Just the other day, tional purposes. Greek awareness -Malissa Morin stress-reliev- night, yoga sessions, HELP US: $50 PRIZE Design a new masthead for winning entry Should be: Entries should be placed in the Phoenix box at =from 1.5" to 2.5" in height, the Information Desk by December 1. • up to 11.5 inches in width Winners will be notified through the final • original & simDle edition oUlle PlJ!leIM"