Unprepared And Isolated, RAs Struggle To Care For Themselves And Residents

Upper West Side NY

07 November, 2021

7:07 AM

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Columbia Daily Spectator BY STELLA PAGKAS NOVEMBER 4, 2021 Editor's note: All of the names included have been changed to protect the privacy of the subjects. From planning floor bonding events to performing wellness checks, resident advisers handle many aspects of residential life at Columbia. However, despite free campus housing, some RAs feel that the job is not worth the emotional stress and isolation. RAs are tasked with what Columbia Residential Life describes as "building a strong sense of community in the residence halls," hosting community events, and bringing their residents together. However, they also act as mandatory reporters and respond to residents' mental health concerns. Many RAs, who generally apply for the position out of financial necessity, feel unprepared for and socially isolated by these expectations. RAs, who are recognized as paraprofessional staff members by Residential Life, are expected to carry out a wide range of responsibilities, including hosting Connect Conversations, community hours, and social programming; assisting with move-in and move-out; and conducting wellness checks on residents. With terms beginning in August and ending in May, RAs are scheduled to work about 20 hours each week. They are compensated with free Columbia housing and a $1,000 stipend for the year. For many students, free housing is the primary incentive to become an RA. For the 2021-22 academic year, upperclassmen housing costs $10,500. Eliminating this cost can make a big difference for families who are struggling to afford the cost of tuition and housing at Columbia, though employment as an RA can also impact a student's financial aid in unexpected ways, disqualifying a student from receiving hourly work-study wages. "I think if I didn't need to, obviously, I wouldn't do it," Diana, an RA, said. "I don't know anyone that's an RA for fun." The broad scope of these responsibilities can be particularly stressful for students, many of whom feel that they did not have enough time or training to complete parts of the job. This is particularly true of mandatory wellness checks, which Residential Life describes as "a conversation with a resident in which the RA assesses the overall well-being of that resident." During these checks, RAs are supposed to respond to a resident's "mental health, physical health, an academic issue, or a non-responsive student." Many RAs worry that they are not prepared to perform such an important function for another student, particularly because this year their training took place over Zoom. "It feels really inappropriate that I literally could say the wrong thing," Alice, an RA, said. "No matter the training that we had, I really did not feel qualified in that moment to help." While students are instructed to use their RAs as a resource in the event of a mental health issue, many RAs feel that their residents may be better off turning to a friend or a legitimate mental health professional. "I'm not certified for that," Katya, another RA, said. "I can be there for [them] as a friend and be like, 'Hey, can you talk to me? I'm here for you.' But basically, the only thing they train us for is how to refer them to other people. So I don't really think it's sufficient if there's actual deep-rooted issues going on." Often, RAs are unsure what would be expected of them if a student came to them for help. "I definitely don't have the training for that [kind of situation]. And I think maybe they would expect me to, but I haven't come across any situations like that," Sammy, an RA, said. "I'm not sure if I will, but I definitely don't have the training for that if I did." Some students also feel that they should have been trained on how to maintain their own well-being while helping others with these kinds of issues. "I wish that they provided some training or some resources of how to take care of yourself during those scenarios. The focus [is] just on the resident," Jake, another RA, said. This issue is exacerbated by the sense of social isolation that many RAs feel in their dorms. Students accept an RA position at Columbia without an official residence hall placement, making it harder for them to plan to live with friends. RAs are also mandated reporters, which makes normal friendships with their residents difficult and at times inappropriate. Residential Life explains that "RAs have a duty to report which requires them to document and report any student concern or issue. … RAs should make clear to their residents that any possible policy violation or student issue will be documented." "If you overhear anything, you have to report it," Alice said. "[If] you overhear someone saying that they were sexually assaulted … you have to report it. It's really inappropriate." "I personally don't plan on being friends with my residents," Jake said. "It sucks … but at the same time, I don't want to put myself in a position where as a mandated reporter, I have to report something that comes up. … I think that's been one of the challenging things and something that makes me consider whether I want to continue this role next year." Alice added that this aspect of the job has had a negative impact on her mental health. "You completely sacrifice any social experience whatsoever of living in a dorm," she said. "You sacrifice getting to be with your friends; you sacrifice getting to be free when you want to. I guess students who can't really afford to go to this school just don't get a social life." Residential Life encourages RAs to turn to their residence hall directors for support. However, an RHD is an RA's supervisor as well as a mandated reporter, so many students do not feel that this is a helpful option. "There's not really a support system with someone who can understand or give you a break or anything like that. Basically, if you [as an RA] have a problem, you can sort it out yourself, and you still have to be there for other people," Alice said. Some students also reported that the expectations that are associated with being an RA follow them, even when they leave campus. As Residential Life states, "Resident Advisers must role model appropriate and inclusive behavior at all times as responsible community members and representatives of Residential Life—on campus and beyond." While students noted that this policy is rarely enforced off campus, many felt that it made them think twice about engaging in normal college social activities with their friends. Some RAs even go as far as telling their friends not to call Columbia University Emergency Medical Services under any conditions when they go out; they are willing to risk personal safety to avoid RA probation or termination, "[Being an RA is] more than just a job. … It affects your mentality and the way you have to live your college life," Jake said. Ultimately, being an RA is emotionally burdensome for many students, and it is a burden that financially insecure students are more likely to shoulder. "I do [regret being an RA]," Sammy said. "I didn't really think about how socially isolating it could be. … But I think even if I knew everything I know now, I would still have to be an RA." "I don't want to do it again," she added. "But I'm going to apply again." Staff writer Stella Pagkas can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @stellapagkas. 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