Resident Assistants are an important part of resident life on campus and there are many responsibilities included in being a RA.

“They are the staff members who have the most direct and constant contact with our students,” Eastern’s website said. “Their primary responsibility is to act as a facilitator for the residence hall community and to enhance the social, educational, spiritual, intellectual, physical, vocational, cultural, and environmental development of each of their residents.”

Elizabeth Williams, a Pemberton Hall RA, discussed what the life of an RA entails.

“I would describe my role as someone to lean on but, yet, a Google,” Williams, a junior education major said. “I try and have all the information, and if I don’t have the information, I try to find someone who does have it.”

“The first thing you need to understand as an RA is that there is going to be around fifty guys or girls that are looking up to you as a role model of EIU,” said Jason Sandidge, an RA in Taylor Hall.

Nick Canaday, a Thomas Hall RA, agreed.

“I help people and offer them academic advice, social advice and personal advice while helping them take advantage of the many opportunities on campus,” Canaday said. “I am a leader.”

As RAs, Williams and Sandidge plan activities for their residents to participate in.

“Chill nights are great. The best part is for them just being able to come in to see you, not only as an RA, but as a student and even just stopping by to say ‘hey’,” said Williams.

Williams also mentioned various programs like making anti-stress balls and diversity beads.

Sandidge talked about programs RAs put on, such as marshmallow assassins, no-shave November, and Sex in the Dark.

For a student to become an RA, they have to go through an extensive training process.

“Housing hits every aspect that you need to have a good cultural background to handle different situations with different types of people which is very important,” Sandidge said.

RAs arrive two weeks early before every semester and prepare for the arrival of their residents.

They interact with the Health Education Resource Center and the counseling center, and go through different scenarios that could help prepare them with resident concerns that they encounter.

“Bonding is a big part of training,” Williams said. “You need to trust your staff and make sure that you are all on the same page because that helps a lot to have your staff behind you.”

The RAs also commented on their expectations.

“For the most part, I get to do what I set out to do as an RA and it’s been a really positive experience,” Canaday, a junior English major with teacher certification, said.

While many filled out applications to become a RA it is not a task to be taken lightly.

“There are a lot of things you don’t think of when you are not an RA and can’t picture because you underestimate what they go through with the job and all the things that they have to maintain a good community.” Sandidge said.

Sandidge, along with other RAs, is expected to hold floor meetings once a month, assist residents with personal, social, and academic problems, and serve as a liaison between Housing and Dining Department and residents among other things.

“It’s so much more rewarding than I expected and you learn a lot about yourself and how to work with others,” said Williams. “You also learn how to depend on others like your staff because your staff is your rock, you lean on them a lot.”

Rachel Rodgers can be reached at 581-7942 or at [email protected].