Through past experiences and observations of resident advisors (RAs), resident directors (RDs), and the administrative staff of the Residential Life Department, I have noticed a break in the communication between RAs and Housing Administration. The organization of Residential Life is very similar to that of many large departments: employees are hierarchically organized and policy is set in a hierarchical fashion as well. Policies that affect residents are made by administrators (starting with a director) and implemented by the resident advisors. This is where communication appears to be absent. While information is quick to travel from the ???top-down,??? there is very little opportunity for the resident advisors to give feedback as to how the reality of the situation is playing out on the hall floors. This break in communication appears to be a stressor and source of frustration for many RAs who are working with the residents on a daily basis and see nothing of the administration.unpublishe
