2008 Woodie Awards
Resident Assistants Lose their Job
James Brewster
Issue date: 3/2/05 Section: News
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The resident assistant position is a job at most colleges that requires responsibility, honesty, determination, and attentiveness to situations that may arise in a dorm setting. According to John Mark, Director of Residence Life, "The most important quality of an RA is good judgment." In order to receive a position as an RA, candidates must complete a lengthy application, go through a series of interviews, and wait to see if they make the cut. An RA is expected to be a role model for the entire campus community, and if one should fail to act as a role model, one's job will be in serious jeopardy.
Some RAs on the Manhattan College campus found this out the hard way when they did not meet the so-called role model view for student life. Two ex-RAs, Megan Olund and Tom McCarthy, lost their jobs as a result of inappropriate behavior.
Tom McCarthy was new to the RA staff as of this academic year. Although McCarthy felt stretched too thin at times, he maintained his love for the job. McCarthy was placed on probation for failing to fulfill his duties as an RA. "They expected so much more and I was failing to meet program deadlines," McCarthy said.
McCarthy was suspended from his position after he was found in his room with 16 other underage residents of Manhattan College who were drinking alcoholic beverages. McCarthy claims to have returned to his room to meet up with friends. The party was already underway, so he intended on leaving shortly. Unfortunately he stayed too long, and another RA and the resident director (RD) broke up the party while he was still inside. This incident occurred on Saturday, January 29, and McCarthy received a letter on Monday, February 7 notifying him of his suspension from the position.
McCarthy expressed his sorrow to his bosses and felt terrible, but he knew that action would be taken. "Anything we do as RAs that we shouldn't do as RAs are grounds for suspension, and I don't think it's unfair," McCarthy said.
The suspension means that Tom is to be considered an alternate candidate for next year's round of RAs. McCarthy retains his good attitude but misses the position. "I still wish I had it, but it was a good run," McCarthy said.
Megan Olund tells a grimmer tale of miscommunication resulting in unwanted loans and sour feelings.
Olund was notified on December 17, during her evaluation as an RA, that she was written up for attending an on campus party that took place in early November that contained a keg. Kegs are illegal at Manhattan College. Unaware that she was written up that night, Olund could only listen as her RD read the report to her during her mid-year evaluation. He then informed her that she would be terminated from her position unless she resigned immediately. During this time, Olund was also reminded that she was already on probation because someone was smoking in her room during the first week of school. Smoking is not allowed in any on campus living quarters at Manhattan College.
Olund was well aware of the probation but had no idea that she had been written up for the party in November. She was visibly still upset about the situation, clinching her coffee tightly, saying, "I just don't think I should have been fired."
Olund recalls the night in November when the RD entered the party at approximately 9 p.m. and located a keg in the apartment. At that time Olund did not have a drink in her hand but was sitting on the couch in the apartment. The RD had some of the males at the party carry the keg to her apartment for confiscation and did not return to the apartment again that night.
Olund said, "I have never been written up until I was an RA." She felt as if the RA requirements and expectations have become much more rigid. "They are expecting RAs to be more like RDs." She feels as if she deserves another chance. "We're giving up our lives as students," Olund said.
"This screwed me up financially. I had to scramble to get money. I was supposed to leave college with no loans, and now I will have many." Her life was turned into a race against the clock in search for money so she could remain at this college, which she loves. She was successful in receiving some loans just in time.
"I feel liberated now," Olund says. Although she has lost her official title as resident assistant, students still come to her with questions. She gladly answers them; it reminds her of how it was part of her job description not long ago.
John Mark, Director of Residence Life at Manhattan College, feels terrible to have to let these RAs go, but, "If I had let this go, then it would have set a bad standard," Mark says. Mark does not feel like these RAs let him or themselves down for that matter. "It's a responsibility they just were not ready for," Mark says.
Each building has its own disciplinary policies and steps they take in dealing with an RA that acts inappropriately. The final decision, however, comes down to John Mark after he consults other senior staff members (RDs) involved in the situation.
Although Tom and Megan share similar stories, the depressing results turned out slightly brighter for one and much bleaker for the other.