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Dorm patrol
Life as a Sandburg Hall resident assistant
By Melissa Campbell
“Be there as kind of an enforcer of university housing rules and also be there as a friend.”
– Rebecca Riegert, on life as a resident assistant
Students who have trouble taking care of their own responsibilities could learn a thing or two from Rebecca Riegert, who takes care of dozens of students on a daily basis.
Riegert, a 19 year-old education major at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, is the resident assistant (RA) for the third and forth floors of Sandburg Hall South Tower.
Becky, as her residents call her, is easy to approach, with a petite frame, long blond hair and a genuine smile. She speaks slowly but clearly, picking her words very carefully.
“I wanted to be there for residents,” she said. “I thought I knew a lot about the University of Milwaukee and how things were run in housing.”
Although the benefits of being an RA include paid housing and a meal plan, as well as a monthly check, it is not an easy job.
In addition to maintaining a minimum 2.5 GPA and being of sophomore standing or higher, RA applicants must go through several steps before being considered for a position. Prospective RAs must fill out applications with various questions, including why they want to be RAs, what assets they would bring to the position, and what experiences they have that would make them good RAs. Applicants must also submit three letters of recommendation.
If they qualify, applicants then go through an interview process with residential program managers.
After a student is selected as an RA, the real work begins.
“The duties are to be there as kind of an enforcer of university housing rules and also be there as a friend (to residents), but to always let them know that you’re the enforcer,” Riegert said.
Riegert is also required to attend tower meetings each week with all the RAs in the South Tower. Each week, RAs are required to keep journals about their houses and their own lives. RAs meet with resident program managers every other week to discuss their floors and duties.
On 16 days each semester, an RA patrols his or her respective tower, making sure the rules are being followed.
Riegert is also responsible for knowing the names of all the residents living on her floors. In fact, recently she was given a quiz on the names of her residents. The key to this, according to Riegert, is communication.
“I take the initiative to go out of my way to talk to people,” she said. “I notice if someone is down or if they need extra attention.”
She leaves her door open most of the time so that residents feel welcome to talk to her, and also tries to get her residents involved in events on campus.
While being an RA is undoubtedly a lot of work and responsibility, that doesn’t stop Riegert from enjoying her job.
Meeting people is Riegert’s favorite thing about her job.
“It gives you experience in the work field,” she said. She also appreciates the great benefits she receives.
The job does have its drawbacks. RAs have a 2 a.m. curfew and are not allowed to go to parties if they are under 21, which Riegert says is a great rule.
“There’s no way you can be drinking as an RA,” she said. “There’s so much responsibility. Say someone came back one night, I was drunk, and they were having a seizure. What would I do? I need to be there for that person as an RA.”
Riegert makes everyday sacrifices to serve the students in her house. The ultimate question for Riegert, and for any RA: Is the payoff worth it? Given the chance would she do it again?
“I take pride in my job,” she said. “I want to be an RA again, yeah. It’s been a lot of fun and it’s only October.”
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