Residence Life implements new program model
Jessica Komoroski, Editor-in-Chief
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: Campus News
A new programming model was implemented in the Office of Residence Life to give resident assistants (RAs) an opportunity to build community in their residence halls throughout the 2009-2010 school-year. RAs will now be able to bring speakers, presentations, games and social events directly into their living areas to enhance the resources provided to students.
The 'model' is a set of guidelines and themes that RAs are expected to direct their programs towards. It includes basic elements of college life that have been considered important by the department for college students to experience. Beyond social events such as pizza parties and study breaks, the new elements include global, personal, and professional success. Certain programs that can fit into these models might be, respectively, a community service initiative, a tobacco awareness workshop and a resume critique.
RAs, who head up residence hall programming at Bryant University, are expected to put on two programs a month. "This enhances residence hall living in that it makes the RAs more visible to the students and it builds relationships among students living in close quarters" said third year RA Matthew St. Peter ('10).
This initiative is meant to give RAs the flexibility to program around the needs of their residents. The past model did not focus on the students, but rather the needs of administration, which made it more challenging for RAs to offer successful programs. "Last year, an RA put on a Kwanzaa program developed under the theme of community service because they had already put on a multicultural program," explained Assistant Director of Residence Life, Kristin Wodarski Biggins. She continued "The RA had many residents of African descent and knew they would enjoy an ethnic gathering, yet she had to fib details on paperwork just to get it approved."
The former model had been in place for four years. It did not encourage RAs to get to know their residents because the goals were limited to fulfilling certain categories. The new model now provides RAs with the opportunity to explore a broad range of subcategories within the 'success' elements.
"I am putting on a program that will allow students to play illegal 'drinking' games with water. After the games, I will be handing out a worksheet discussing the dangers of binge drinking and how easily this can happen. It will be considered a personal success program and will fit under the health and wellness subcategory," explains St. Peter.
Students are encouraged to attend as many programs as possible in order to get to know their RA and feel more comfortable with them on a personal level. RAs must be visible for residents who may be struggling with the adjustment to college, and programs are a way for RAs to offer themselves as resources to their residents, Wodarski said.
The 'model' is a set of guidelines and themes that RAs are expected to direct their programs towards. It includes basic elements of college life that have been considered important by the department for college students to experience. Beyond social events such as pizza parties and study breaks, the new elements include global, personal, and professional success. Certain programs that can fit into these models might be, respectively, a community service initiative, a tobacco awareness workshop and a resume critique.
RAs, who head up residence hall programming at Bryant University, are expected to put on two programs a month. "This enhances residence hall living in that it makes the RAs more visible to the students and it builds relationships among students living in close quarters" said third year RA Matthew St. Peter ('10).
This initiative is meant to give RAs the flexibility to program around the needs of their residents. The past model did not focus on the students, but rather the needs of administration, which made it more challenging for RAs to offer successful programs. "Last year, an RA put on a Kwanzaa program developed under the theme of community service because they had already put on a multicultural program," explained Assistant Director of Residence Life, Kristin Wodarski Biggins. She continued "The RA had many residents of African descent and knew they would enjoy an ethnic gathering, yet she had to fib details on paperwork just to get it approved."
The former model had been in place for four years. It did not encourage RAs to get to know their residents because the goals were limited to fulfilling certain categories. The new model now provides RAs with the opportunity to explore a broad range of subcategories within the 'success' elements.
"I am putting on a program that will allow students to play illegal 'drinking' games with water. After the games, I will be handing out a worksheet discussing the dangers of binge drinking and how easily this can happen. It will be considered a personal success program and will fit under the health and wellness subcategory," explains St. Peter.
Students are encouraged to attend as many programs as possible in order to get to know their RA and feel more comfortable with them on a personal level. RAs must be visible for residents who may be struggling with the adjustment to college, and programs are a way for RAs to offer themselves as resources to their residents, Wodarski said.
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