SB61-21/22-Resolution Advocating for Improved Resident Assistant Working Conditions. This resolution was approved unanimously during the January 26, 2022 meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM)

Bowles, Elizabeth

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University of Montana

University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Senate Resolutions, 2007-Present ASUM Student Government 1-26-2022 SB61-21/22-Resolution Advocating for Improved Resident Assistant Working Conditions Elizabeth Bowles Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/asum_resolutions Let us know how access to this document benefits you. — SOoOANDUMNBWNYeBRBWWWWWWWWWWNNNNNNNNNDNPRRRRRRReRFPOOMANIADNBPWNRKDOANDNMNBPWNHRKTOANANHPWNKH The Associated Students of the University of MontanaResolution Advocating for Improved Resident Assistant Working ConditionsJanuary 14, 2022SB61-21/22Authored by: Elizabeth Bowles, ASUM Senator;Sponsored by: Alex Crisp, UM Student; Anonymous Current and Former RAs;Whereas, The primary purpose of the Associated Students of the University of Montana(“ASUM”)is to advocate for the general welfare of the University of Montana (“UM”) studentbody;Whereas, UM hires multiple Residential Assistants (“RAs”) each year to work for UM’sResidence Living;Whereas, The work done by RAsto keep dormssafe and meet student needs while living in adorm for the first year is substantial;Whereas, First year RAs are paid $6,025.00 per semester whichis for the cost of housing,dependenton the residence hall they are located in, the meal plan they choose, and any leftovermoneyis paid through bi-weekly paychecks;Whereas, Not every RA receives adequate pay for their services dueto the varied costoflivingfor each residencehall;Whereas, The responsibilities for an RA include: Office hours, weekly traditions, one-on-onemeetings with Area Coordinators (“AC”), staff meetings, quality circle, on call/duty hours, anddesk hours!;Whereas, UM ResidenceLiving claims that the aforementioned responsibilities are intended toaverage 20 hours of work per week’;Whereas, RAs mayberesponsible for approximately 52 students at any given time;Whereas, The position duties anecdotally provided by a UM RA include: facilitating three floormeetings with predetermined and non-negotiable dates, participating with residents in aUniversity event or other RA organized events, intentional interactions every quarter with eachresident,filling out paperwork, attending committee assignments, being on duty for twelve (12)hours (despite only being paid for three (3) to six (6) hours according to UM policy), nine (9)days oftraining prior to the start of the semester primarily focused on leadership and communitybuilding, (a minimal amountis related to responding to studentcrises that occur frequently), peersupport of other RAs, facilitating activities with floor residents, regularly creating bulletin boards ' Resident assistant (RA) position description - UMT. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2022, fromhttps://www.umt.edu/housing/employment/jobdescriptions/Resident™%20Assistant.pdf2 Resident assistant position. Resident Assistant Position. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2022, fromhttps://www.umt.edu/housing/employment/ra.php4243444546474849505152535455565758596061626364656667686970717273747576777819808182and hanging up posters, nine (9) days oftraining to learn how to respondto situations of suicideand assault, and becoming mandatory reporters;Whereas, Many RAsreport having to respondto suicide or mental health crises of their peers orstudents in the dorms;Whereas, The duties of an RA require more than 20 hours of labor per week;Whereas, RAs on campushave expressedthat they feel as though they cannot speak truthfullyabouttheir situation to their employers or to outside sources;Whereas, The job of an RA should notinterfere with a student’s ability to maintain academicsuccess;Whereas, The duties for an RA are not reflective of what the job actually entails;Whereas, Many RAsseek mental health resources to aid them with the emotionalstress oftheiroe 3position’;Whereas, The therapy often sought by RAsis not covered by UM noraccounted for in theirhours, despite the emotional stress of being an RA being the primary factor in their decision toseek out therapy;Therefore, Let It Be Resolved, That ASUM encourages UM to maintain a mentally consciousworkload for RAs on campusby diluting their responsibilities to other paid positions;Therefore, Let It Be Further Resolved, That ASUM encouragesdesk clerks to be hired positionsin dorm buildings, either through compensation or work study programs;Therefore, Let It Be Further Resolved, That ASUM encouragesthe addition of a communitydirector position, a designated position that will coordinate events for RAs and residents in dormbuildings;Therefore, Let It Be Further Resolved, That ASUMasksfor free or discounted group orindividual therapy sessions for RAs to improve their mental health while navigating theemotionalstress of their position;Therefore, Let It Be Further Resolved, That ASUM calls upon Residence Life to decrease thehours RAsare required to work in orderto justly reflect the hours requested ofthem in their jobdescription;7 3 Bogus, B. (2020, September 17). Working as a resident assistant can negatively affect mental stability. TheUniversity Star. Retrieved January 26, 2022, from https://www.universitystar.com/opinions/working-as-a-resident-assistant-can-negatively-affect-mental-stability/article_2cc6d06a-3022-56fb-af52-c48942ef90b1.html 8384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105Therefore, Let It Be Further Resolved, That ASUM calls upon Residence Life to revise thenumberofhours and responsibilities expected of an RA intheir job descriptionsin ordertoaccurately and transparently advertise the positions;Therefore, Let It Be Further Resolved, That ASUMcalls upon Residence Life to increase theamount of compensation RAsare given;Therefore, Let It Be Further Resolved, That this Resolution be sent to Jeff Adams, Director ofCurry Health Center; Sarah Swager, Vice Provost for Student Success; Paul Lasiter, VicePresident of Finance and Operations; Jace Whitaker, Interim Assistant Director of ResidentialEducation; Sandra Curtis, Executive Director ofUM Housing and Community Standards.Passed by Committee: January 23, 2022Passed by ASUM Senate: January 26, 2022(fp CuteElizabeth Bowles,Chair of Relations and AffairsPassed Unanimously.    Chair of the Senate

SB61-21/22-Resolution Advocating for Improved Resident Assistant Working Conditions

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SB61-21/22-Resolution Advocating for Improved Resident Assistant Working Conditions

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