RAs Bear Increased Responsibility and Risk

How responsibilities have changed for resident assistants on campus.

Whether they are helping students who get locked out of their rooms or sitting down for a chat, resident assistants are a crucial part of the college community, especially in freshmen residence halls. This year, their role has taken on even higher stakes.

COVID-19 has pushed the health and safety of Marist residents to the forefront of Marist's priorities, and RAs are tasked with the responsibility of upholding, and enforcing, new guidelines. Source: Danielle Scalera ‘23.

For RAs, their jobs on campus have become increasingly challenging with a new layer of worry for general well-being. Everything about college life has changed — from the way students interact to the way classes are taught. There is a heightened sense of worry about what lies ahead. 

One RA, who will remain anonymous, said that while they are happy to do their job, they are also in a situation that puts themselves and their loved ones at risk. Unlike other residents on campus, they risk exposure to the COVID-19 virus multiple times throughout the day. Some days they might be required to check on a dorm or house in their assigned residence area, unsure about what they could be walking into. 

“We are community builders, we are policy enforcers, but we are here to build a sense of community — not to be the campus police,” the anonymous RA said. “Our primary goal is to make sure students are in a safe learning environment. We are here to foster a good and healthy community. It’s a part of our job.” 

During a normal semester, breaking up a potential house party wouldn’t pose much of a threat; now during the COVID-19 pandemic, RAs are responsible for putting themselves in high-risk situations to do their job.

One RA said it’s troubling to run from house to house, not knowing what germs they could potentially be bringing back to their own roommates.

Another RA, who also wished to remain anonymous, said they feel an extreme sense of responsibility for their residents. “It really is a 24/7 commitment. Any time day or night, a resident can text me or knock on the door needing something. I just have to always be ready,” they said. 

It’s the RAs responsibility to protect themselves by remaining as physically distant as possible from their residents. However, that poses a challenge when building connections with residents, especially first-year students. 

“It’s a challenge balancing and enforcing COVID-19 policies while also trying to maintain good rapport with my residents,” they said. “I want them to feel comfortable coming to me if they need to.” While safety and health come first, connecting with students face-to-face is ideal, which requires increased vigilance on the part of the RA. 

Both RAs agreed that sometimes residents seem to have forgotten that the world is in the midst of a global pandemic. The biggest challenge for RAs is dealing with students who are not following the health and safety protocols. 

Students, faculty and administrators are all dealing with countless challenges, each one different than the next due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than ever, RAs are tasked with fostering a safe, healthy and connected environment for their fellow Red Foxes. 

Although the job has become more difficult with a small minority of students disobeying the rules, one RA felt it has brought the Marist community closer. “I have gained more faith in Marist students. We are really looking out for each other.”