All things Residence Life, Student Life and Student Affairs. Posted by an anonymous fellow res lifer.
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Fuck Yeah Res Life!
Most of my friends are CAs and I’m the NCC, so we’re all ResLife junkies. This summer, with departmental permission, we are making a little series of re-enactments of some of their funnier incidents. I think it would be cool to see other school’s related stories because some incidents are just too good to leave confidential. (But don’t break policies because that’s bad)
So one of my co-workers is always late. For everything. He “forgets” we have a weekly meeting once a week, on the same day and at the same time, and he forgets midnight rounds. I’ve been on duty with him four different times during the weekend, and every time he forgets midnight rounds he says, “Oh, I forgot we had to do midnight rounds” or “I didn’t know even know we had to do them together.”
Well, the third time this happened I went off on him, saying that his excuses were bullshit because he knew damn well what was expected of him, and the fact that he was acting like this was ridiculous because no one was buying his doe-eyed ignorance. He now refuses to talk to me, and any time he has to work with me he does not communicate anything. One time he just put the duty phone in my jacket pocket without my knowledge because he didn’t want to have to deal with talking to me.
Honestly, I regret absolutely nothing, but I wish he would learn that this is a serious job and that he needs to pull his damn weight. I’m so glad I WON’T be working with him next year.
So I was hired as a Senior resident Assistant next year and one of my main tasks is staff bonding. I’ve compiled a small list but feel free to add on thing and explain them. Perhaps a staff development master-post?
Pieces of the Puzzle- Build the school or building logo out of foam board. Cut the logo into puzzle pieces and have each staff member decorate a piece without knowing the larger image. Have each person explain why that piece reflects who they are. In the end have everyone build the logo to show that you’re all part of the team and being unique and shining out is what makes it look its best.
Wearing Masks- have each staff member design a mask to show how others view them. As they explain what insecurities they try to hide, let the whole staff remind them that they’re great people and are changing lives inside reslife.
Exquisite corpse, RA style- instead of having people finish drawings, start forming ideas for things like bulletin boards and programs with one word, letting another staff member add on. Eventually you’ll have a person to collaborate with and a better, bigger board or program.
I hope this helps some people and I’m looking forward to more ideas!
When a residents’ post a YouTube video of them drinking and having alcohol in a freshman dorm. Then when I confronted the resident who posted the video, I got called a bitch and told that he didn’t have time for my bullshit, or give two fucks about me or my hall.
So if you are looking for a great way to bond with the staff in your building or other staff members go to an amusement park. Yesterday a total of 12 of us (10 RAs and 2 PAs which help with programs and decorations) went to Six Flags Great Adventure. I work with most of them and the rest I just know of. By the end of the night we were all best friends and extremely close. It was a total of 4 hrs in the car, all day at the park, and eating. We spent time from 8am til midnight together. We were just ourselves and got to know each other and bond. We look forward to doing it more often.
I love my staff so much, and I’m so thankful that they’ll be my last - and favorite - memory of school.
There’s something inherently special about being part of such a special group. They’re more than just my coworkers - they’re my wonderful, loving family.
I wouldn’t trade my RA year for all the other years I’ve been at this school combined.
I’m going to miss you guys!!!
My residents are like:
While my coworkers and I:
’Cause you know they’re going to be awful that night.
I got chosen to be an Resident Assistant for my University (West Florida) for next year.
We have duty shifts that involve sitting at a desk and answering questions.
This shall be taped to the desk during my shifts. This. I. Swear.
