RA's as Authoritative Figures

As an RA I have a lot of authority when it comes to resident and living in the residence halls. Surprisingly I know more than you’d think. Many of the upcoming ideas that the school is thinking of proposing is offered to the RA’s and they take our opinion into consideration. The higher authorities of CSU-Pueblo take our opinion into consideration because they know as RA’s that we represent the student’s and what they want. Most students if they have a problem with something around campus they go and tell their RA and then the RA relay’s that info back to professional staff. I like being in part of some of the decisions that are being made on campus because I’ve seen firsthand that our input is being used and thought of and being put into action. One thing that I know the RA’s had a big say on was regarding the dining services and the meal plans available. Everyone, RA’s and resident’s alike complain about Chartwells and the food they offer; not to mention the meal plans. The RA’s had suggested that there was a way to get a swipe for a ‘meal plan’ from the cafeteria and make it equal to food available in the La Cantina. The managers of Chartwells had talked to us near the beginning of the semester but then the meal plan transferability was used and enforced way sooner than we all thought. Too me, that was impressive on Chartwells part for being flexible and for taking our opinion into consideration. Some people may argue that just because we are RA’s we are still in fact students, and that our authority isn’t that high or it shouldn’t be taken into that high of consideration. But if higher authority, or an ‘adult’ who doesn’t live in the dorms really cannot relate to our jobs. Some people in higher authority might try to pull that line “well, back when I lived in the dorms…” let me tell you, I’m sure living in the dorms from now to five years ago was extremely different, let alone living in the dorms now compared to twenty years ago. So that line doesn’t really work for me. Sure RA’s are students too, but when it comes to talking about what student’s and resident’s want to see, you should still take into consideration the RA’s opinion’s because we are student’s and are opinion’s are just as important.