The End of the Resident Assistant?

Musings on Tough Choices

Is now the time to get strategic about the RA position for the right reasons? Let’s be honest: should 19-24 year olds be responsible for the sort of front line issues that residence life staff are managing in 2024? RA jobs have never been easy, but the days of strictly dealing with lockouts, roommate conflicts, ‘illegal appliances’ and underage drinking are long gone. 

In the last few years Unionization efforts for Resident Assistant staff has become more and more prevalent. The same issues outlined to Dr. Petty, which initiated the change in the GWU residential life staffing model has been front and center in the talking points as RAs are seeking to raise their compensation. But, with campuses having to make tough decisions within the negotiation processes, this may be a time to consider the cost of doing business and what is in the best interest of the residential communities that campuses are seeking to build.