Ryan Shilling

Ryan Shilling

By Kevin Johnson (Whetstone Staff Writer)

Sophomore Ryan Shilling received a letter last semester stating that he had received the job of Resident Assistant of Roe Hall. He was happy because of all the perks an RA has – including getting a dorm room for free – but that quickly changed.

Ryan and other RAs find that being an RA is more than just perks.

“Being an RA has allowed me to become someone who students can go to with questions,” Shilling said. “I now get to be someone who students come to for help.”

Learning quickly that he was a role model for students, Shilling learned fast that he had to enforce policy on his residents.

“As they started to get comfortable, they became reckless with their noise,” he said. “So I was forced to enforce 24-hour quiet hours (which is usually enforced only during Finals Week) until I believed they learned their lesson.”

Sophomore Kenneth Ciccoli Jr is also a first year RA in Roe Hall. He said he’s grateful.

“I realized that this could be a life changing opportunity,” he said. “It has been everything I expected it to be and more. Totally gratifying.”

First-year RA sophomore Suzanne Betts said she had a rocky start, but has been able to carve out a positive path for herself

“My original placement, before the renovation, was Gooding basement,” she said. “As you can imagine I was not too thrilled. But I was switched to the third floor, and I was happy and still am to be working with freshman.”

While the RA position may seem all fun and games to an outsider, it is a job first. And jobs, sometimes in conjunction with a course load, can overwhelm a student.

“This semester has been an adjustment period,” Betts said. “Not only am I a full time student, but I am also an RA, nanny, tutor, and fit a personal life somewhere in there. I have to keep reminding myself of priorities.”

Sophomore Samuel Frain, also a first-year RA, in Williams, said there are highs and lows that come with the job.

“The worst part was when I got a warning from my boss about forgetting to put up the fliers that were in my box,” he said. “The best moment of the semester is when I shared the gospel with one of my residents, and he repented of his sins, and put his faith in Christ.”

Freshman Katie Forestieri, a resident on Ryan Shillings’ floor, said his experience has influenced her desire to be an RA.

“I had considered it, but after seeing what Ryan has to deal with, I may reconsider.”