The small army of 159 resident advisors at Syracuse University is supposedly a coalition of the most responsible individuals on campus. Yet, there have been numerous cases of RAs being dismissed in the past for violating the RA code of conduct. Perhaps the problem is not the students but overambitious and unnecessarily strict standards.

Unlike the rest of the on-campus residents, RAs do not have the safety net of a multiple ‘strike’ system. For normal students, the system involves a series of warnings and punishments for violations against the Student Code of Conduct that build up with increasing offenses. RAs are fired immediately after one violation.

At stake for an RA is a pretty nice package for a limited amount of actual work. RAs are provided with complimentary housing and meals in exchange for taking on the responsibility of helping to run a building.

One of the hardest parts for RAs is the strict regulation on their weekend drinking. Not only are RAs stuck with the demeaning responsibility of ‘writing up’ their peers but they are also barred from engaging in drinking themselves.

The most ridiculous element of the policy is that 21-year-old RAs are not allowed to be in the same venue as any underage drinkers. So, as they are passively enjoying their legal right to have a beer at a party, they must leave because some residents from their building are also in attendance. Ridiculous.

It has created a situation where many RAs have their Facebook profiles set to limited access. The idea is to prevent nosy Resident Directors from looking through their pictures and discovering a photo where an RA is at the same party or bar as an underage resident.

All RAs are being held to an exceptionally high standard. It is only reasonable to give them at least one ‘strike’ for a first offense. The rules should be rewritten to create a prohibition stage for first-time offenders.

The Office of Residence Life declined to comment for this column after repeated requests for interviews. RAs who were fired in the past year also refused interview requests because they are on judicial probation.

Two issues arise when an RA is fired. The first concern is for residents who have their RA removed from their hall, causing inconsistency in their dorm lives. For example, Brian Venuti, a sophomore finance and entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises major, has had his RA fired in both his freshman and sophomore year.

‘An RA is supposed to be someone who you are allowed to look up to and go to in a time of need,’ said Venuti. ‘And when they are getting switched that frequently, it makes it very hard to establish a strong enough relationship with them, to the point where you wouldn’t feel comfortable going up to them and discussing issues of importance to you.’

The second problem is the screening process for RAs. If the ORL puts substantial effort into selecting the most dependable candidates, it is concerning that so many break the policies.

Both of these issues could be addressed with a more relaxed policy regarding first offenses by RAs. Since these individuals have made it through the competitive selection process and have built a repertoire with their residents, it may be more valuable to warn them than fire them. If the ORL would be less stubborn in its policies, RAs would have a greater chance of building a thriving relationship with their residents, instead of being thought of as the enemy.

Matt Reilly is a sophomore political science and public relations major whose columns run Mondays in The Daily Orange. Email him at msreilly@syr.edu.

Published on October 7, 2006 at 12:00 pm