 "Photo: Elissa Quinn")
Every school year begins with students busy with the process of moving into residence halls.
Some freshmen travel through the gates of Upper Campus, while others are directed a mile down the road to Newton.
Some gloat about living on Lower Campus as sophomores.
A lucky bunch of juniors, who actually secured all four years of housing, start stocking-up their kitchens for the first time.
Others walk through the halls giving high-fives with friends who are equally eager to begin their last year as Boston College residents.
After gathering an armful of stuff, each person checks in with his or her resident assistant, better known as the RA.
While dropping belongings off in their new rooms, students walk up and down the unfamiliar hallway, looking at the numerous names on the doors. One door holds the name of the floor's RA - the person who students turn to with questions and concerns.
Each residence hall or group of halls has its own dynamic staff consisting of eager students trained to help create a sense of community.
Many people do not realize such an opportunity is open to anyone who is enthusiastic about becoming a resource for fellow students. Whether at the end of freshman year, the first year of graduate school, or any other year in between, everyone is eligible to apply.
Everyone has seen the colorful posters adorning walls all over campus, enticing students to apply to become an RA, but how are these students chosen to fulfill such a role? Until recently, applying to become an RA consisted of an application, a one-on-one interview, and a three-hour long group session.
The process, however, has changed.
"This year we are doing three two-hour seminars and eliminating the one-on-one interview," explained Clarybel Peguero, one of the Res.Life employees in charge of RA selection. "After doing some research this summer on other schools, we found this would be a better way for candidates to show who they are and feel more comfortable."
When asked why the changes occurred, Peguero said that they were not triggered by existing staff members.
"Changing the process has nothing to do with the current RAs; they are phenomenal people and do a great job. The changes are about being more efficient [with the hiring process]," she said.
But will the new system work?
Katie Cisto, A&S '06, who applied to the program for the first time this year, seems to think so.
"We've only had one session but I felt very comfortable and I think that the level of comfort is essential to the interview process. Whatever tension may have existed in a one-on-one environment seemed to disappear," said Cisto.
Michael Welch, A&S '06, a current RA in the Keyes basement on the Newton Campus, thinks the new hiring process will be equally beneficial for those actually doing the hiring.
"I think it will enable hall directors to get a better feel for the candidates. In the old process, it was more difficult to get a feel for an applicant's personality, strengths, and weaknesses," he said.
The re-hiring process for current RAs, formerly consisting of a one-on-one interview with an employee of Res.Life, was also altered this year in the hopes of making it a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved. The changes aim to ensure the continued interest of each individual candidate.
The experienced students were asked this year to present themselves and what they have accomplished throughout the year as RAs.
Most RAs interested in another year have already gone through the new process.
"They were amazing," said Peguero. "They really put some effort into it."
Welch, who re-applied for next year, found the presentation to be a very creative and positive experience.
"At first I thought the new re-hire process would be painful and a lot of work, but it was actually much more enjoyable than I originally imagined. I basically outlined the programs I did, the skills I have to offer and why the Office of Residential Life should hire me again," explained Welch. "If you are in tune with your skills as an RA and know how to articulate them, the presentation can be a very enjoyable experience."
Since there are only about 153 slots for RAs, some candidates are either rejected or put on a waiting list. Being on the waiting list, however, does not necessarily mean you will not get the job.
"We take people as late as October off the waiting list," Peguero stated. "They are still hirable."
Some students are not quite sure what the stipend is for donating so much time to other students for an entire year. "You do get room and board, but we encourage everyone to check their financial aid since it can affect people differently," clarified Peguero.
Most students who have experienced life on campus as an RA will tell you it is a worthwhile experience in and of itself.
"It's great meeting new people, whether they be residents, or other staff members, or people from the Office of Residential Life," said Peter Grieco, A&S '06, an RA residing on the first floor of Roncalli, who re-applied for another year.
Marc Banks, LSOE '05, is an RA in Walsh Hall, was also an RA his junior year in Vanderslice Hall, and has truly enjoyed his time as part of the staff.
"I love being an RA because it provides me the chance to meet awesome people and show them all that BC has to offer," explained Banks.
"My residents, this year, bring many different talents to the table and I'm happy that they have allowed to me to participate in their activities. That's definitely the best part of being an RA; hanging out with residents and making new friendships that will last long after they have moved off of my floor."
So no matter what your interests are or what stage of college you're in, if you want to give back to the BC community, becoming an RA seems to be something to think about.
"There are no set qualities," said Peguero of the requirements for becoming an RA.
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