Jacksonville State University - Mimosa Yearbook (Jacksonville, AL)

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Barry Connors gives advice to another resident of the dorm. Kim Perry and a Mend have a conversation about dorm life. d W -., A , ' .7 Kim Perry finds it nice '0 have Stephanie MaHhews checks in a friends come in and talk. quest and reminds him of rules. RESIDENT ASSISTANTS 2 l

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RAs keep dorm peace Resident assistantsemore com- monly known as RAsiare the people Who keep the residence halls in order. You might say they are the pedcemdk- ers of the dormitories. To be an RA, you have to be CldSSiv tied as a sophomore Or above at the time you assume the position. You must also maintain d cumulative mini- mum grade-point average of 2.0. YOU have to have lived in university hous- ing for at least one semester and have an interest in working with students' needs and concerns. Any previous 10b experiences are acceptable. There are no wages or salaries, but there is something good about being :1 RA: your tuttion and room and board is paid in full! There are 10 residence halls in all. The reSIdence hall directors interview and choose the prospective residence assistants The restdence hall direc- tors' 10b is to see that the residents live comfortably. as it they were in their own room at home. The directors have to be graduate students. There are approximately 82 resident assisA tants on campus. As tar as superv15ion is concerned, the residence hall director is in Charge. Duties of the RAE are to hold hail meetings, post material or: cur- rent events and reter students in need 0t specihc help to the appropriate uni- versity aqericies. There are two RAE per floor.- Leadership qualities is another characteristic of the RA. They have to be able to entorce petioles and requ- lations ot the dormitory as well as cre- ate a positive atmosphere in the dorm. In emergenCIes such :35 tires, acci- dents, sickness, maintenance reports and police emergenczes, leadership is a must! The RAS must partimpate in train- ing workshops and work specific hours each week, including week- endst They also have to return to resiA dence halts one week prior to the commencement of Classes. Asked the most rewarding thing about being 61 residence assistant, Kim Perry replied, I really like interv acting with the restdents, and most at all having my room and board and tuition paid in tuHI Perry also said the part she likes least about being a RA. is hwe have to come back to school a week before school actually starts. But all in all its a good experience it you like being a little bit in control. It's a way to make friends and keep them. it you're :1 good ttRJ-U Bridger Cz'enshdw 20 CAMPUS LIFE

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Directing life in dorm here is no such thing as a typi- T cal day in the lile of a residence hall director. Each day is dillere ant and brings challenging new ex- periences. A director lives in a residence hall on campus and is responsible for su- pervxsmq the residence assistants and creating an environment for the stu- dents conducive to learning. The purpose ol 6 residence hall director is working with people and helping people deal Wllh problems, says Sparlcman Hall Director Marzell Las- seler, A residence hall director must have a college degree and be taking graduate courses at Jacksonville State University. The daily duties of hall director might include planning residence as, sistant meetings, touring different lloors in the residence hall, communii calling and counseling with students, evaluating the safety and efficiency of the building and deVelopmg enrich- ment programs lor the residenis. Along with the renovation ol sever al residence halls, there also comes the Changing attitude ol campus livr inq. The atmosphere ol the buildings is becoming more positive and come fortable to provide a better living and studying environment. The hall direc tor contributes to this improvement by orgamzing roommate requests and, il need be, mediating roommate dis- agreements lo maintain a pleasant and favorable setlmg. Sparkman residence hall houses approximately 390 female students. Ldsseter has held the director's posi- tion since 1982. She previously worked as a counselor in a mental health center and now is working on a master's degree in guidance and counseling. Lasseter saysl l'The comi munication slcills that I developed in counseling Clients has probably been the most beneficial experience Cdrv ried over into this present job. There are changes Lasseter would like to see the! would help enhance Sparkman Hall. such as new lumlture and draperies lor the lounges, ren- ovation of the recreation room and in- stallation ol kitchenettes. As another future plan for Spdrlcman Hall, she Would like to have one floor for only graduating seniors and graduate stu- dents. A residence hall directorls job is oriented toward making campus liv- ing more enjoyable and pleasant lor all ol the residents. Mdrzell Lasseler adds, l'While lhe work of a hall direc- tor 15 sometimes trying and frustrat- ing, it affords an opportunity to help students in their growth and develop, ment wh1ch makes the 10b worth- while. Patti Hipp Nate ngku.thedinctoral CurlinHall,chechthaltatof mdwmnanhounedmhar hall. 22 CANIPUS LIFE