RAs, residents fire back at Res Life

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Photo Courtesy of Paul Graziano Communication junior and Manzanita-Mohave Hall resident Paul Graziano poses in an undated photograph. Graziano admitted to violating a rule when he allegedly came back to the dorm smelling of alcohol. He said he has orally agreed to resign.

Three giant posters and more than 30 letters hung from the dorm's lobby walls yesterday, almost all of them supporting Graziano and denouncing Residence Life.

Jim Van Arsdel, director of Residence Life, declined to comment yesterday on the situation.

Graziano, 20, said he received a letter Wednesday from Manzanita-Mohave Hall Director Jordan Farrow, stating that he would resign or be fired. Graziano, a communication junior, admitted to breaking Residence Life policy by drinking at an off-campus function two weeks ago and returning to the hall.

But Graziano and another RA said he was "totally sober" during that night.

"I have no doubt that Residence Life as a department will regret their decision as much as we ... already do," stated a letter written by a Manzanita-Mohave RA who requested that her name not be published.

"I refuse to let the absurdity of this decision cloud my job performance, or my friendship with the loyal members of this staff," she wrote.

The RA's letter continued to blast the decision that will force Graziano to move out of Manzanita-Mohave by tonight.

"We will continue to deal with the ramifications of Paul's dismissal, from the division it has created among the staff, to the destruction of faith held in Residence Life," the letter states. "We as employees of Residence Life have always given residents a chance to learn from their mistakes. It is clear that resident assistants don't get that same opportunity."

Graziano said three of his residents yesterday took the messages and letters to Van Arsdel.

"My boys kick ass," Graziano said. "I appreciate them from the bottom of my heart. I don't want to leave my boys, my staff or this hall. They mean too much to me - all three," he said.

Residents in Manzanita-Mohave also stood by Graziano.

"Paul, my heart is ripped out and I'm screaming inside," wrote Kamaria Saunders on one of the posters. "I will miss you more than you know."

Others wrote more charged comments.

"Down with the people who fired you," wrote one individual who signed anonymous.

Another person who did not sign a name wrote: "Word on the street is that (name crossed out) is a back-stabber. (Name crossed out), I call for you to write an apology on this board."

Danny, who did not sign his last name, wrote: "Paulie, I'm sorry you were betrayed. Apparently, hypocrisy knows no bounds."

David J. Cieslak can be reached via e-mail at David.J.Cieslak@wildcat.arizona.edu.