only_in_reslife

Working in Residence Life for almost 10 years has provided me with a lot of stories—some serious, some funny. I share some of those stories here

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

@CICastonguay I appreciate you taking the time to respond. You’re right. This process should be considered more of a developmental opportunity for our students on their journey. Thank you for taking the time to help me recognize this.

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

@drbbourke @abikennedy I’ve not had these conversations before during selection. I will however start having these conversations. Thank you for helping me see the importance of this.

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

@staffing4sjs I like this model you just shared. I’ll suggest we use this in our department too. Thank you!

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

@RickyTM7 Agreed. Again, thank you for leading this dialogue—a dialogue I have not engaged in much of yet.

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

@RickyTM7 I suppose I’ve been used to the school of thought that we don’t talk about finances in interviews. That however does not mean that is correct or just.I will be working this year to take a different perspective when a student communicates a financial need during an interview now

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

@RickyTM7 Ricky, Thank you for your feedback and thank you for taking the time to respond. I didn’t realize at the time how my message was harmful. I now see it. Thank you. The discussions have certainly been helpful for me to see and learn from...

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

@RyersonJohn Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts. I apologize that my the message in my tweet was harmful. I will work to do better and be more intentional with what I share in the future. Thank you for taking the time this evening to respond.

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

@MarcusRLangford @RickyTM7 Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Marcus. You’re absolutely right. I apologize that my message appeared counter to your point

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

@drbbourke ...educate myself on the matter. Again, thank you for taking the time this evening to address my tweet. I apologize that I did not communicate fully or give greater context to that. And I will work to do better to think out my tweets more in the future.

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

@drbbourke ...but were never disqualifying factors. Of course compensation is a motivating factor for why we do our jobs. And I appreciate you sharing that using my own words. If there are articles about communicating compensation during interviews, I’d enjoy reading them to further...

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

@drbbourke Thank you for your thoughts. I appreciate you taking time to reply. I have seen a trend over the past yrs where students have placed a greater emphasis about the benefits and less about reasons of wanting to help. Hearing that in interviews have given me pause...

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

@RickyTM7 We had multiple applicants so far this year respond to our question of “why do you want to be an RA? by just listing the monetary benefits. Not “I want to help people and the free room and paycheck would be nice, too” response.

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

@CICastonguay I appareciate your thought. It’s certainly not disqualifyingn applicant from our process. We had multiple applicants only say they were doing it for the benefits without sharing any other reason

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

Dear RA applicants, we know that money is a motivating factor that gets students to apply. Therefore, you need not lead with that when asked why you want to be an RA in your interview

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

Dear RA applicants,
Just because you held the door for me does not mean that we will hire you.

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

On Doodle polls, faculty be like, “I’m free MWF all day, and from 1-5pm TR. Me in Res Life is like, “I’m free MWF from 9:00-9:15, 2:30-2:45, Tuesday’s from 10:00-11:15 and Thursday’s from 2:30-2:32pm

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

Tonight at 11:38pm, I was reminded why I do this work...

Coincidentally, 11:38pm on the 30th is when our direct deposits come through each month

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

If one more student asks me if I had a good break, I’m going to snap. I’ve been working for the past three weeks!!!

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

My Higher Ed goal is to one day be able to afford the types of cars my students drive...

[only_in_reslife @onlyinreslife]

Me: you can’t have a cat until you are approved for an ESA
Student: Okay. Will me getting in trouble for the cat affect my chances for study abroad?
Me: what will you do with the cat while you’re abroad?
Student: I haven’t thought of that yet