During winter break, three more RAs resigned from their positions in the Residence Life department for undisclosed personal reasons.
Despite the disciplinary dismissals of three other RAs earlier last semester, Laura Cantrell, associate director of residence life, said that the new resignations had nothing to do with the department.
“They all had various reasons for resigning,” she said. “They were not fired, but left for personal reasons.”
The RAs include Joe King ’05, of Gonzaga, Larry Johnson ’07, of Campion, and Christa Szantyr ’05, of Dolan.
“You can’t foresee emergency situations,” said Cantrell. “There’s nothing they could have seen ahead of time that would have made things different. I support all students who find they have other things they want to do, who say, ‘I need to do this for myself.'”
As for the position openings, Cantrell said they were quickly filled by students in the alternate pool.
“We worked hard last semester to have an alternate pool, and it was strong so it took us about a day to fill [the three positions],” she said. “We still have alternates if something were to happen.”
The new RAs returned here on Jan. 16 to go through training, fill out contracts, and become familiar with the manuals.
Next year the requirements for being an RA are going to change in hopes that more students will apply.
“We want to hire more juniors. One-third of students are going abroad, and these are the same kinds of students that would want to be an RA,” said Cantrell. “We have a lot to compete with [for juniors] – townhouses, beach, apartments.”
The RA application next year will include an option to work for half the year, but only if the student is going abroad, has an internship, or is doing a student teaching position.
“We are hoping that will get us applicants that wouldn’t have considered us an option before,” said Cantrell.
As for the new RAs and the students, they are adjusting to the transition.
“I’m just trying to do my best and help them out,” said Gene Travers ’07, the new RA in Gonzaga. “I applied in the middle of last semester, and now I’m adjusting. I’ve gotten a lot of support from the rest of the staff. Without them I’d be lost.”
The residents on his floor are also looking forward to the coming semester.
“I’m glad that Gene is my new RA because he’s a close friend and now he just lives down the hall,” said Jason Cronk ’07.
“I’m not sure why [Joe] left,” said Matt Bleam ’07. “He was a friendly guy, and I think the only reason he left is because it’s second semester senior year. No one on the floor ever had any problems with him.”
Mark Adams ’06, the new RA in Campion, said that he’s excited about being an RA this semester and hopes to do it again next year. He was chosen from the alternate pool.
One of the floor’s residents was disappointed to lose Robinson, but still looks forward to the semester.
“It was a bit of a shock and a disappointment, Larry was a good guy,” said Mike Calabrese ’07, “Once we all get to know Mark better I’m sure he’ll be just as good an RA.”
Giselle Medina ’05, who had previously been an RA but went abroad last semester, said it has been an easy transition.
“All the girls have been super supportive and very welcoming,” she said.
Jennifer Camuso ’08 said she misses Christa Szantyr.
“I respect her decision [for leaving], she was very open about it. We had a meeting before break. I miss her a lot, but her replacement is really nice too,” she said.
Laura Cantrell said she understands that the transitions can be hard, especially when the RAs got along well with the residents on their floors.
“It makes it an extra hard choice to leave,” she said. “The RAs were appreciated, respected, and well-liked on their floors.”
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