The office of Residence Life has created a new rule that says RAs cannot hold a high position in an organization or club for fear that they will neglect their residents.
I am writing to you regarding a restriction I was told will be placed on the RAs for next semester.
I am personally disturbed by this decision. I feel that it is appalling that RAs are not being allowed to pursue high-level positions in student groups and organizations.
The RAs here at Fairfield have been a vital part in, not only IRHA, but FUSA, EMS and a great variety of student clubs. IRHA, for example, has functioned for many years with RAs in office.
Fairfield University’s mission statement reads, “Fairfield has [an] obligation to the wider community of which it is a part, to share with its neighbors its resources and its special expertise for the betterment of the community as a whole.”
Not allowing the RAs to participate at the levels they have in the past goes against this mission.
University President Fr. Jeffrey von Arx, S.J. said that Fairfield “looks to form men and women who are effective and articulate advocates of what they know and believe.”
Furthermore, the University’s strategic vision states that “every activity a student engages in offers another path to self-discovery.”
In that statement the words “every activity” refer to multiple activities.
How are the RAs supposed to help fulfill the strategic vision if they are held down by Residence Life?
How are they going to be those “effective and articulate advocates of what they know and believe” if they are not allowed to take part in it?
Aren’t RAs supposed to lead by example? How could they be expected to do so if they are hindered by this Residence Life restriction.
I understand that the goal is to make sure that each RA is able to give the appropriate attention to his or her residents; however, I feel that this is not a problem with every RA. This is something that should be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Isn’t that what one-on-one meetings are for? This decision is extremely rash and, in the opinion of the students, was made without due reason.
I am sure that you are all well aware of the fact that no student is at all happy or content with this decision.
I have been approached by many students about this, and I am ashamed to say that I could not answer them when I was asked, “Why are they doing this?”
To me, it is an excellent question.
Sincerely, Mike Stahl ’10, vice president, IRHA
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