A 21-year-old Gonzaga RA is being fired by Residence Life after admitting herself to the Health Center following a Saturday night of drinking in New Haven.
Gonzaga second floor residents rally behind their RA, Laura DeFrancesco '08, who was fired on Monday after reportedly violating the RA contract. DeFrancesco, 21, went to the Health Center after imbibing too much alcohol in late October and was recently notified of her termination as a Gonzaga Hall RA. Her residents protested to have her reinstated.
Laura DeFrancesco ’08, spent Friday night, Oct. 26 in the Health Center when she felt sick after drinking. This past Monday, Laura was told by ResLife that she had violated the terms of the Resident Staff Member Agreement and thus was terminated from her position as the Gonzaga 2nd floor RA.
Jenny Mingus ’08, who drove DeFrancesco to the Health Center, said that she thinks DeFrancesco set an excellent example for students.
“From a freshman they drill x2241 and for an RA to volunteer to go is really brave knowing that there could be consequences. I think it’s absolutely unfair she got fired. She’s a great RA,” said Mingus.
DeFrancesco went to the ResLife office on Monday morning because she wanted to be honest with her supervisor.
A plan has been enacted by members of DeFrancesco’s floor to try and reinstate their RA. Shawne Lomauro ’11 is leading the rally efforts to keep DeFrancesco employed. On Monday morning, Lomauro and other residents from her floor staged a sit-in at the ResLife office to protest DeFrancesco’s termination.
In a character statement that the 2nd floor Gonzaga residents submitted to ResLife, they said that, “She took the right course of action in following Fairfield University’s promotion of the saying, ‘Don’t sleep it off.’ She handled the situation with precaution and honesty and therefore protected her integrity.”
In response to the students opinions at the sit-in, Deborah Cady, deputy dean of students and director of ResLife said, “I have to respect employees confidentiality. RA’s are held on a much higher standard. Those expectations are outlined clearly in their contract… Some things we have a no tolerance policy on and those are clearly outlined in their contract.”
DeFrancesco said she didn’t want to set a poor example of “sleeping it off.”
“I always tell my residents err on the side of caution. I’ve always been one to say take care of yourself, be truthful, and realize you made a mistake. Taking care of your health and safety is first and foremost,” said DeFrancesco.
Her floor has continually stressed the honesty that Laura expressed in handling the situation. “If your going to punish someone for being honest, what message does that send? Especially to vulnerable freshman,” said Lomauro.
DeFrancesco is proud that her floor has come together to support her cause and on a broader level, protest a University decision that they feel is unjust. “I was very emotional after I came back after I found out I was going to be fired… devastated, disappointed. We have a tight network and the floor all texted each other. They all asked what is the game plan to fix this,” said DeFrancesco.
DeFrancesco feels strongly that she made the right decision to go to the Health Center instead of returning to her dorm and being sick in front of her freshman residents. “I’ve sent people against their will and they’ve come back and said thank you. I did it because it’s something I tell people to do. I don’t want the program to suffer at all from this,” she said.
“I told them the truth,” she said. “I feel that I do deserve a punishment for my action, but never thought that I would lose my floor.”
There is no way for DeFrancesco to appeal her firing because it is an employment issue, not a code of conduct.
Cady said, “We do not comment on the employment of any of our staff members. Employment records are confidential and private.”
The Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) created the “2241 Your Ride to Safety” which enables intoxicated students to call for a “safe ride” to the Health Center, at extension 2241, without the fear of judicial action or having to walk far.
“It’s an important program to have a private place to go if you are feeling sick. You can never be too cautious. The program is so there’s one less person driving drunk, or one less person falling out of their bed at night,” said DeFrancesco.
“I feel like she’s being punished for being responsible and mature. From a daily basis you can see that responsibility and maturity. [Her being fired] is not sending the right message”, said Carolyn Talmadge ’11.
One of the issues that Gonzaga residents raised to ResLife hwas the legitimacy of the “safe ride” program.
“If my RA can lose her job for bringing herself in, what is capable of happening to the rest of us?” said Lomauro.
Support for De Francesco is evident in the 2nd floor on Gonzaga, where the doors of residents have post-its that read “We heart Laura,” “Free Laura,” and “My RA is Laura.” A bulletin board in the hallway has been transformed to read “Leadership 101-Honesty-Free Laura,” and lists the signatures of over 30 students.
“Laura is the heart of this floor. She’s like our big sister. She really built a community,” said Lomauro.
The Resident Staff Member Agreement, which RA’s are required to sign when they accept the position, reads, “I agree to and understand: a. All general guidelines for alcohol and drugs that can be found in the Student code of conduct; b. The University accepts the responsible and legal use and consumption of alcohol by students over the age of 21, but rejects its illegal use or abusive consumption.”
The Resident Staff Member Agreement also states, “I recognize that due to the unique nature of the duties and responsibilities of a Resident Staff member, my conduct must be above reproach. Staff members have a responsibility to behave in ways which will not have a detrimental effect upon the University or any members of the University community, and which will not compromise the integrity of the position.”
The agreement later states that, “personal behavior should reflect consciousness of the role as a positive role model for the students in the halls” and that the position can at any time be terminated if the terms of the agreement are broken.
Cady said that a new RA will be hired mid-semester and that ResLife hopes to involve the Gonzaga residents in that process. She hopes that students will reconnect with the entire Reslife staff in the transition.
“When dealing with contradiction with the RA staff, it hurts. They’re a part of my family,” said Cady.
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