Dedication and determination

Story by Melody Bacas and Darlene O'Bryan

Lights out, write ups, room conferences, and reprimands are some of the things associated with RA's and supervisors.

However, there were some things that were not always associated with resident assistants and supervisors; they fulfilled the rolesofdoctors,taxi-cabdrivers,ambulance drivers,psychiatrists, parents,information booths, banks, and mind-readers.

Being an R.A. is not all work. Many R.A.'s enjoy attending sportactivities such as basketball. Not only did the R.A. s administer discipline, but also offered counseling, prayer, and encouragement.

Students tended to forget that love,care, and responsibility were also attributes of an R.A ray,RA in Dorm 15,said,"We preferred to be thought of as friends rather than RAs."

To acquire one of these positions required dedication and determination. AspiringRAs had tofill out a 10-page applicationbefore they went foran interview with a supervisor who determined first cuts After the interview, the applicant became a resident assistant in training While in training, he had to attend all RA meetings and fulfill the responsibilities ofthe RAs he was training under His performance during that time determined final cuts.

During check-in,the RAs were extremely busy, They were stationed at different pointstoassist the students One RA from each dorm remained in the dorm to aid students and parents once they arrived in the dorms.

RAs had the responsibility and authority to enforce disciplinary action on any student who needed it, but theirdutiesdid not end there The RAs also had the added responsibility oflooking after the students' over-all welfare, which could include answering questions, midnight discussions and abundant prayer.

Supervisors had the basic responsibilitiesof RAs multiplied several times They were accountable for several dorms and were expected to have wisdom and to be familiar with all the rules of the school Supervisors oversaw the resident assistants and took over where they leftoff Supervisors were selected, based on an interview and their service as an RA They were required to go through a training program before assuming the position of a supervisor One official said the qualities looked for in an RA or supervisor were "a proper lifestyle,an ability to motivate othersand a loveforpeople thatdesired tosee others conform to the image of Christ."

Why would anyone want to become an RA? One resident assistant intraining said, "The thing that motivated me most to try forthe position of RA is the ministry tothe girls in the dorm."

The RAs and supervisors had social activitiesjust for themselves In late November, they attended the annual RA Christmas banquet, held in the school band room The Sounds of Liberty provided the music During the spring semester,allthe RAs and supervisors boarded Eagle buses and traveled to Washington, D.C, for the day Watching the Cherry Blossom Parade was one of their activities along with touring the museums and monuments

During the same semester, they had theirSpring Banquet atthe Hotel Roanoke

A multi-media presentation showed the past year's events and how the Lord worked through all the circumstances. While they enjoyed themselves, the resident assistants in training took over their campus duties.

Other events included "required fun" meetings and birthday parties to honor all the RAs who had birthdays during each month

The RAs and supervisors had fun in the midst of all their responsibilities They worked hard to obtain and maintain their positionsofauthority

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"Itwas more than an authoritative relationship," someone said. "RAs wanted to befriendswith the students."Gail

RAs were not, however, super-human They went through troubles and trialslike any other student Several went through surgery, and some were in accidents of various types Loretta McDonald, RA in Dorm 15,said, "A common bond existed between RAs We identified with one another's hurts, pressures and joys."

The RA and supervisor programs have proven to be to the students' advantage