Their world v. Our world

One of the most significant aspects of our college years is supposedly preparing for what parents and teachers have often called the Real World. The big picture they’ve been emphasizing, however, is not the Real World that exists today, but the Real World that exists after we graduate. Therefore, we’ve been influenced to focus primarily on the future. And so, while we experience this undergraduate process, some of us become so distracted that we often disregard the current Real World.

Information leads to knowledge, and never before has it been so readily available. By using computers, television, newspapers, and radio, we can become informed and educated about situations and developments outside our Maryland campus. But what do some of us do instead of using these sources for knowledge? We forward old jokes via e-mail on the computer, watch sitcom reruns on TV, find the cartoon section in the paper, and listen to our favorite radio stations.

Comparatively speaking, current events from the Real World that aren’t brought up in conversation in dining halls or at parties are apparently of little importance to students. They are more concerned about their classes, relationships and personal experiences. Even if they hear out about a scandal, triumph or tragedy, students have other things on their minds. Passing an exam, mending a broken friendship, and making plans for the weekend are already quite a number of things to consider. Crashes, shootings, and bombings aren’t really important compared to the tragedy of having to take a class over again, losing a friend, and having a boring weekend.

It seems selfish, but some students can only do so many things with the lifestyles they choose and the resources that go along with them. Time is the most important resource, with effort coming in second. College students often seem like they are fighting the clock. And if they’re going to do something, it will probably be in their best interests.

Ask an average student what his or her best interests are and they will tell you that having fun is at the top of the list. After sitting in classes all day and listening to professors share their views on policies and theories, the chances of being able to sit in front of the television and take an active role in watching the six o’clock news will be slim. Who wouldn’t want to “veg” out and watch another silly episode of “Seinfeld” instead?

Students simply prioritize when considering what’s best for them. Getting good grades, having relationships, keeping in shape, having fun, and determining career plans are some of the most popular priorities of students. How can a California earthquake realistically relate to their lives at this point in time? Unless friends or family live out there, what happens in California is trivial compared to the traffic a commuter student is going to have to face at night.

We could show compassion about the experiences that people go through and the lives that are forever changed, but we don’t have much time to reflect on their misfortunes. Even if we had more time, we may not even make more of an effort to consider their lives. Hell, we don’t have enough time to consider every aspect of our own lives.

And we’re still college kids, no matter what the law says. We may be responsible for our actions, but while we’re finishing up our teenage years and beginning our twenties, it’s apropos that we’re talking about movies and concerts rather than economics and politics. Is it really necessary to change our personal preferences when it comes to current events?

Unless we’re taking a class that requires knowledge of the current Real World or we have a relationship with someone who does have that knowledge, there is nothing wrong with disregarding the present as long as the future remains in mind. We won’t be conditioned to never consider Real World events after graduation. After we leave campus, we’ll be immersed with national and international news and events.

For now, while we work on determining what to do with our futures, the important news is whether or not a movie theater will exist on campus this fall and if the fountain on McKeldin Mall will have running water by the beginning of the semester.

Jared Meyer is a senior finance major presently spending the summer in NYC. Reach him at jmmeyer@wam.umd.edu.

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Reproduced With Permission © Copyright 1999 - Maryland Media, Inc.

'The RA on duty'

It’s 11PM on a Saturday night and there’s a knock at the door. The music continues to play loudly while you and your ten guests huddle in a circle while considering what to do next. You lower the music, go to the door and ask, “Who is it?” It’s the RA on duty. What do you do?

The first time a new student may learn about the Resident Assistant position could be during one of their numerous orientations. For others, their first time may be during an incident that entails violations of Resident Life policy.

This fall, I will be a third-year RA living on campus for my fourth and final year. Throughout the last four semesters, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing many incidents and the unique student residents and guests involved.

Depending on a student’s experience with RAs, several generalizations will be made about the Resident Life position. During the time that I’ve spent at Maryland, I’ve learned about the three most popular misconceptions about being an RA.

Myth #1: “RAs receive free room and board.” This idea is created by either a poor choice of words or the belief that RAs simply do not do very much. Either way, if this myth was true, it would also be rational to say that RAs work for free and that they volunteer their time and effort while participating in an extensive community service.

It is correct that the student accounts of RAs are credited for room and board, but they do work for this compensation. Nothing in life is free.

Myth #2: “RAs enjoy confronting and documenting students.” This generalization is created and spread throughout campus by students that were inconveniently confronted by an RA, or by the students’ friends that heard about the incident. Showmanship influences perception. There are probably RAs that appear to be unyielding, who seem to enjoy “writing up” as many students as possible for even the most insignificant Resident Life policy violations. Realistically, when students are found committing a violation by an RA, they will often feel threatened and guilty. This response leads to projection. The guilty party places the blame and therefore criticizes the RA.

All RAs are responsible for stopping certain behaviors. These behaviors lead to those violations, which are listed in the “Community Living Handbook.” How an RA chooses to approach a situation stems from their own personal style of conflict management. Some styles can be viewed as unnecessary and inappropriate, especially when the violator is inebriated.

No RA wants to wake up at three in the morning to confront and document a situation, but they will do it. And when it’s done, it will not be a pleasure.

Myth #3: “The RA position is just a job.” Not exactly. Yes, there is a job description and the position is viewed as such by Resident Life, but ask any RA, and they will tell you something different. Being an RA is a lifestyle, not just a part-time job. As long as an RA is anywhere on campus, they remain a employee and representative of Resident Life. Even once they leave their residence hall and community, they will be responsible as an RA. The only way to escape such responsibility is to get away from the bricks by physically leaving campus.

The plethora of days and nights being on-duty, weekly meetings, and vacations cut short due to training add to such a lifestyle. Administrative and disciplinary work, peer counseling, and programming contribute as well.

A weekly minimum of 20 hours of work is required by Resident Life, but the actual amount of time spent doing RA responsibilities will vary. There can be days or even weeks without much work, but there can be times where quantitative overload is created.

Combined with the academic, personal, physical, professional, and social aspects of an RA’s life, the position can add to the student’s daily stress. By the time some RAs become seniors, this supposed part-time job has taken its toll and they want out. No wonder the job turn-over rate is so high.

These myths may not faze some RAs, but they affect the amount of respect, cooperation, and consideration given to them by their peers. Confronting a student who believes that we get free room and board in exchange for solely getting students in trouble will be intimidated by us.

RAs are students, too. We’ve agreed to do our part as stated in our job requirements. Resident Life policies were created and are enforced to maintain a healthy living and learning environment for those residents who choose to reside on campus. And that is the truth.

Jared Meyer is a senior finance major presently spending the summer in NYC. Reach him at jmmeyer@wam.umd.edu.

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Reproduced With Permission © Copyright 1999 - Maryland Media, Inc.