hilltopics Images Wednesday, September 6, 2000 People For comments, contact Clay McCuistion at 864-4924 or e-mail features@kansan.com Features Big Resident assistant serves as friend,role model and authority figure among peers brother Brice McIver, Topeka junior and third floor resident assistant at Lewis Hall, answers the phone. RAs are required to spend a certain amount of time tending the front desk of their halls. Photo by Craig Bennett/KANSAN By Kursten Phelps writer@kansan.com Kansan staff writer It was Friday afternoon, and students were trickling off campus to celebrate Labor Day weekend. But not Brice Molyer. Barbara D. Malver As Lewis Hall's third-floor resident assistant, McLver, a Topeka junior, took the weekend as a chance to relax after a hectic first two weeks as an RA. "There's about 15 or 20 out of 50 gone, so it might be a little boring." McIver said. "But for my case, there's plenty of people in town that can come over and hang out." McIver, who lived in Templin his freshman year and on the third floor in Lewis last year, is new to being an RA, and he and his residents agree that he has spent the first weeks of school adjusting from his role as a resident to RA. "We like to call him 'dad,'" said Anna Gregory, Topeka freshman and one of the third-floor residents. Although Melver may not be a parent to the residents on his floor, his role as an RA is a unique combination of friend, big brother and authority figure. "They call me 'dad' as a joking term, but there's a little truth to it," Melver said. "I'm sort of watching over them, making sure they're being safe, getting their stuff done, getting their priorities straight." That means reaching out to residents to help everyone get comfortable with each other. he said. And as a computer engineering major, Gregory said, Mclver comes in handy when it comes to math questions or computer troubles. "And, you know, when you cry, he holds you," Gregory joked. AN RA's job, however, is not all lobby games and friendly chats with his flormates. Lewis Hall RAS are required to staff the front desk six hours a week and deal with residents who forget their keys and are locked out. Duties, drinking and dram$ \rho $ "I'm not enthusiastic about dealing with that," he said. "They're often over petty things, and the roommates don't talk to each other first before running to the RA." They also serve as mediators in roommate conflicts — something that McLiver said he wasn't looking forward to. And then there are fire alarms and alcohol. When a fire alarm sounds, RAs are responsible for clearing the building, locking doors, locating the fire — if there is one — and communicating to the fire department, McVeaver said. RAs enforce University policies prohibiting alcohol on campus. Although McIver said he hadn't had to deal with any infractions, it could be a tough situation. "It kind of hard to get caught since RAS aren't allowed to enter the room without permission," he said. "If you're being loud and noisy and yelling 'Bring me more beer,' yeah, you're going to get caught." McIver is also responsible for cleaning up after drunken residents who have vomited and calling the hospital if someone is extremely drunk or ill. When it comes to drinking, however, McLiver said that enforcing the policies wasn't the only adjustment he'd had to make. RAs aren't permitted to go out with residents to parties or even be at a party where underage residents are drinking. "That situation is sort of werd because I went out and paried with these guys last year, but this year I can't," he said. McIver isn't the only one adjusting to that change. Vincent Lei, Topeka sophomore and third-floor Lewis resident, was McIver's roommate last year. "he can't even give me a ride to a party." Lei said. "It's a little strange, but we deal with it." Getting the job In some cases we ask the survivors participate in a group interview with four or five other candidates. Then, each candidate interviews with the complex directors and RAs of each building. Candidates who make it to round three are interviewed by complex directors from individual buildings. Selected candidates are informed in late March or early April of their building assignments. The three-part application process of becoming an RA can be time-consuming, McLver said. First, there's a written application with essay questions and recommendations due in February. The Department of Student Housing makes its first round of cuts based on those applications. "It's sort of intimidating," Melver said. "You have three people asking you questions, and you're wondering if you're giving good answers. It's pretty nerve-racking." mcIver, along with other new RAs, moved into the halls Aug. 10 to complete training in crisis handling, security duties, check in procedure and leadership skills. Sacrifices and rewards As compensation for their work, RAs get a free room, 19 meals a week at Mrs. E's and $20 a week. As part of the deal, though, RAS are encouraged to take only 15 credit hours and to cut back on time-consuming extracurricular activities. For McLiver, that meant giving up his position in the Student Association of the United Methodist Campus Ministry and being president of the Computing Society. "They need you to be available most of the time, to be around for questions or problems," McIver said. "I think it would be possible for me to keep my other activities, but it would have been pretty hard." One aspect of the job that McIver said he didn't anticipate was the amount of paperwork. "There was a lot of setting up work before the residents got here," he said. "We had room inventory checks, identification cards that gave the rooms' telephone numbers and mailbox combinations, helping set up the floor government and signing the floor up as a registered student organization." The other major sacrifice an RA makes is his or her flexibility in traveling. If an RAs want to leave town or be gone for an entire night, they must put in a request in advance. Despite that, Mclver said he tries to get off campus once in a while to get away from people. So even though McLiver couldn't escape school or the hall during Labor Day weekend, he still planned to enjoy it. "Even my boss encourages us to get out every now and then," he said. "They like us to be around, but they also realize they we've got to get out once in a while or we'll go crazy." "I'm going to head back to Topeka and pick some stuff up from my parents' house, then maybe play some putt-putt or watch a movie," he said Friday. "Basically, I'm just going to relax tonight and do some more work tomorrow." - Edited by Gleisson Abreu Solid Hardwood $199 FUTONS Steel Futon & Frame $139 913-642-8500 8871 W. 95th St. Overland Park (95th & Antioch) Bunk Futon & Frame $239 913-451-2552 7579 W. 119th St. 119th & Metcalf (North of Super Target) Pregnant? Birthright can help 1-800-550-4900 FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL 20th & Grand * 816-421-5577 EVERYTHING BUT ICE BEDS • DESKS CHEST OF DRAWERS BOOK CASES unclaimed freight & damaged merchandise 936 Mass. KIEF'S Big Sale Now! Audio/Video TV & DVDs 2408 & Ivora, Lawrence, KS. 842-1811 COMPLETELY RENOVATED Fitness Special Tanning Special 12 month Only $24 per month expires 9/30/00 Just try it...you'll like it... membership SAVE $149.00 JUST FOR WOMEN! 3 months Unlimited Tanning $55.00 plus tax Non-members welcome! expires 9/30/00 BODY BOUTIQUE 925 Iowa 719.224.241 If you are interested in volunteering as an advocate for battered women and children, come to one of our informational meetings. Training starts September 6. - Saturday, September 9, 9:30-11:30 pm Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont The Woman's Fitness Facil Big Sale Now! - Tuesday, September 12, 7-9 pm Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont Domestic violence shelter needs a helping hand! For more information, call Women's Transitional Care Services at 865-3956 Pro Choice? Believe in evolution? Believe in the dignity of every human being? We Do Too! And, Yes, there's a Bible Study for us at K.U. Every Thursday "Radical Christians" gather for an indepth look at the Bible on these and other critical issues of our time. Join us as we challenge the status quo and deepen our faith in Christ. Thursdays 8-9pm E. C.M.Building Info: Heather Hensarling, Info: Heather Hensarling United Methodist Campus Ministry,841-8661.