My life as an RA part 11:--The end

Clarence Scott guest writer

About three weeks ago, another RA was tenninated and I just could not figure out what was going on around here. RAs were dropping_like flies and we were definitely expendable, I just wanted to keep my nose clean for the last two months of school.

This brings me to Thursday April 4th. On this night, Rick Cruz and I were on duty in the apartments and houses area. Apparently a situation took place in the apartments and House 6 between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 1:30 am. During this situation th~t took place, neither Rick nor I could be found anywhere. lI'l fact, I was told that we could not be found or contacted by phone or walkie-talkie between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 1 ~.m. Since we could not be contacted during these times and we were obviously being irresponsible, it was the right-of our respective RDs to ter- minate our contracts as RAs here at Cabrini College. If these accusations were entirely correct, we would not have had a problem with being terminated at all. The actual truth is that if it were so difficult to find us, why did the RD who was on duty call my room at 10:30 p.m. that night and have a phone conversation with me at this time? I have four witnesses who can place Rick and myself in my room until after 12 a.m., and two more witnesses that talked to both Rick and I in the apartment complex on the second floor until 1 a.m. There were claims that the RD on duty called our rooms several that night, but neither Rick nor I had a messag~ on our phones. You would think that if there were a matter of such great importance going on, someone would have left a message on the phones so that we could get to the scene as soon as possible. The kind student who came to my room to tell me that I was needed at House 6 didn't have a hard time finding me when she knocked on my room door. Lastly, none of the four people heard all of this activity on the radio when we were getting "offence" when most RA's are at called. This could may not have least given a second chance when, worked for a couple of reasons, according to the Resident the most likely of the reasons is Directors, one of them does somebecause at times the radios get bad thing wrong. I wonder why things reception in the apartment com- were so different in my case. Do plex. Whatever the reason may any of you readers have a clue? I be, I don't think that Rick and I was given a termination letter by can be held accountable for faulty my RD that basically stated that I equipment. When we were am one of the more irresponsible informed of where the disturbance people in the world. My question was taking place, we got there as is that if I am so irresponsible, soon as we could and assisted wouldn't it have come out before where needed. When asked where now? Why would you hire somewe were, we gave reasonable and one for two years straight who did logical explanations, the same not do his or her job? I could tell explanations that are outlined that my RD, who I thought knew here. I can only guess that we our me well enough to believe that I explanations were "taken into wouldn't do such a thing, had not consideration." • even gone to bat for my character

When we were called in to because she is the one who wrote meet with our respective RD's on this letter. Once I left her office I Monday April 10th, we were all felt sick, not because I lost my job set tell our si1e of the story and a here, but because I wasn't given a fair chance to express what hap- fair chance to defend myself and pened in our eyes, and by the way because i know have this incorrect my back was still killing me. letter of termination on my record. There was obviously no need for The one good thing that hapthis because we were given our pened that day was that my back letters of termination without finally stopped hurting and I figbeing asked any questions at all. I ured out why it was giving me of course found this to be odd such problems in the first place. because I was fired after my first My back was hurting because I got stabbed in it, but I wasn't stabbed with a regular knife, I got stabbed with a Bushido Blade and the inscription on the handle had the initials "SHS." It seems that I was a victim of trusting the wrong people and it really hurts when you find something like that out. Well, now that the healing process has begun and life is getting somewhat back to normal, I have come to the realization that I am going to graduate in a month and I will have fun for the rest of my college career. It is just a shame that I have to leave this school, this great institution of higher learning, feeling so jaded. Jaded not towards the educators, but towards that same people who were supposed to make college the great living experience that it's supposed to be. The only advice that I can give to those who are and will be taking my prior position here at the school is that you have to keep your heads up. Make the best of your situation and always be picky of exactly who you trust. As for me I'm outta here May 19th baby!

Letter to the editor: Not fair! Stressed?

Dear Loquitur Editors, going to be continued in a second piece in next weeks edition. Every Thursday morning, as For crying out loud, the article a ritual, I pick up my copy of stopped in mid-sentence!

The Loquitur. While glad to be I assume that this tactic was informed by the news sections, employed as an attempt to draw my favorite articles always tend in readership, at those who.only to be in the Perspectives section. pick up the paper when there is a Hearing opinions from others on sensational headline, and getting campus and getting insight from them to come back next week writers outside of the traditional for more. But that is insulting to newspaper staff is always nice. me, the devoted reade·r, who But I was very annoyed and dis- simply wants to sit down and turbed by the April 18th edition read a full piece, to get the of the Loquitur, especially by whole story in one sitting. It is the handling of Clarence Scott's good joumalisric practice to take Perspective article. It started out a piece of writing, and if it won't a very interesting article that fit in the space allotted. then the really got my attention, and I editors EDIT! Now understand, was enjoying reading it. But I don't feel Clarence's article what a slap-in-the-face tu get to needed to be edited, it was quite the end of it and find that it was good well, what I got to read of it was at least.

I guess my biggest complaint is that it was very unprofessional to draw a reader in with half a story, and then to abruptly end (in mid-sentence I remind you) and to advertise that the story will be continued next week. It's , a cheap tactic to try to increase readership, and I suggest next time the Loquitur staff try advertising around carnpus with signs and possibly even free giveaways. Take some pride in your paper, and don't offend your devoted readership with these lame tactics. Otherwise, you won't even have them for long!

Respectfully,

Joshua Dzielak resident student '

All students are invited!