The Balancing Act

Every year we hire 14 to 16 RAs that assist us in supporting and educating the students of Pierpont Hall. Part of the process is to pair them into teams that will meet the needs of their residents on individual floors. Within this process the RAs strengths, weaknesses, personality, and work ethic all come into play. For the students hired as RAs it is the first information they long to receive.

On April 28, 2010 Tracie and I took time to develop "The Balancing Act" for the 2010-2011 academic year. We paired RAs based on the above factors discussed the pros and cons of each pairing and then went to our final draft. After we had completed our task Tracie sent out the email and the games began. Three of the RAs ran to my office to express their joy at getting the co-RA of their choice. Others came and talked about their concerns.

When students enter Pierpont in the Fall of 2010 they will also have the same reaction to individuals they have chosen or were placed with in their living arrangement. When roommate issue start it is best to look at both sides of the picture and see where you can or can not make a change. You are welcome to make changes in rooms at certain times of the year but remember the grass is not always greener.

In both of these instances students need to consider that we have to learn to live and work with a variety of people. Being an RA or a roommate may be their first experience with this type of "balancing act" but I can assure them it will not be there last.