Letter: University should reconsider RA policy changes

I absolutely agree with The Chronicle's March 17 editorial that the new residential adviser policy is erroneous.

While Student Affairs has to appear to treat all RAs in the same way, it is obvious that the roles and responsibilities East and West campus RAs have are quite different. It is no secret that West Campus RAs in general have fewer instances of residents knocking on their door to chat, to ask about Duke resources and classes or to get directions to various off- and on-campus locations. This may not necessarily be a reflection of the quality of the RAs on West Campus, but rather the simple fact that upperclassmen already think they know everything about Duke and its surroundings, and they have already made close friends of their own. The sad truth is that more often than not, West Campus RAs are just people to go to when residents are locked out of their room, the toilet doesn't flush or when the dorm wants a free pizza party sponsored by the dorm-RA joint fund.

Forced interaction is not going to change the status quo, at least on West Campus. On East Campus however, while there is a chance that sharing meals with residents may build stronger bonds between RAs and their residents, the additional burden of having to do it twice a week may prove too much (especially together with the other changes of having more on-call hours). East Campus RAs already spend the majority of their time in the freshman dorms playing the role-model, and often struggle to maintain their relationships with their own friends living on the other parts of campus.

In addition, the limitations on RAs involvement in other Duke activities and increasing on-call hours mean that the RAs will essentially not have a life outside of their dorm, and may actually reflect on the quality of RAs that will be recruited in the future. How does Student Affairs expect RAs to provide resources and be role-models to their residents when they do not have a good idea of what the "Duke experience" is?

The new changes are unrealistic, unreasonable and for many potential RAs may easily outweigh the small stipend (especially considering how everything on Duke is so expensive) and free housing in return. Solid students who have interests beyond the dorms and who need financial help are more likely to turn to other forms of employment rather than becoming an RA. Being an RA should be a rewarding experience, but now it sounds like signing a contract with the devil.

If Student Affairs want to continue recruiting decent RAs, and successfully improve resident-RA relationships , it should seriously reconsider the new changes.