Wednesday October 10, 2001

Some say the program helps sense of unity, others say it hurts

A new block system, one that requires resident assistants to earn points for community interaction, was questioned as a viable method for promoting community and relationships at the Association of Community and Residence Assistants meeting last night.

Greg Ziebell, assistant director of Residence Life, attended the meeting to receive feedback from the group on the new block system's effectiveness.

"There has been a shift from a programming system to a system meant to better develop relationships and community," Ziebell said. "Now we want to decide what's working and what's not."

One RA explained the documentation problems that have emerged due to the new system's requirement for RAs to record their conversations with students in order to receive "blocks" for the interaction.

The block system requires each RA to achieve 200 blocks per semester in the areas of community and relationships.

"If I have an individual talk with one of my residents about their problems, that falls under relationships," said Mikey Friedman, a psychology senior and co-facilitator of the meeting. "If I planned a dinner with another RA between two wings, that's a community activity."

Shannon McDonald, a veterinary sciences junior and co-facilitator, said the system is successful in leveling the field of RA involvement.

"The blocks keep a staff that varies from those who are extremely dedicated to those who do the bare minimum all focused on the same purpose," McDonald said. "Any job has expectations and the block system helps you realize those expectations and fulfill them."

However, RA Anne Brooksher, a junior majoring in English, said she was concerned that the point system's requirements might override the sincere sense of community in the residence halls.

"I feel like it's a move away from a student-centered community to a more RA-centered community," Brooksher said.

Jeff Nauman, a pre-business sophomore and Pima Residence Hall representative, said he thinks the system is working for his hall.

"I support the block system because it help you mold programs to the hall's own needs and personalities," he said.

ACRA plans to submit revision ideas on the system to Residence Life through Ziebell.

RAs also discussed a proposition to replace the two undergraduate assistant directors for Residence Life with a senior RA in every residence hall, in an attempt to provide more leaders within the residence communities.

The ACRA held the meeting to express concerns and formulate solutions about RA issues. The group is currently trying to become a recognized club at UA.

"We want to become a recognized club so we can build a foundation and the organization will continue in the future," Friedman said.

The group's purposes are to create open lines of communication between community and resident assistants, to create a supportive community of staff from all the halls and to provide feedback and possible resolutions.

"We're the ones in the halls, so we see what's actually going on," McDonald said. "In this group, we have a stronger voice."