Ignacio Torres (right) instructs third-year student Jennifer Tan of San Francisco and fifth-year student Dre Matthews of Richmond on the finer points of planning for residence hall events. (Tony Novelozo/Axiom)
Moving into the residence halls can be a nerve-wracking experience for some students. Who can they call when a party gets out of hand, the elevator breaks, or they can’t stand their roommate? Survey says … their resident adviser, or RA.
Ignacio Torres, a returning RA and a third-year student from Union City, had such a positive experience with his RA he was inspired to pursue the same path.
“I wanted to be part of that support network for other students,” said Torres, who is studying Spanish and communications. “I also wanted to learn how to juggle multiple responsibilities within one job.”
Duties and training
So he signed on for a role that can get pretty intense, especially with about 50 students to each RA. Torres helps students connect with campus resources, organizes at least two educational programs a week, mediates conflicts, and helps students form positive networks with their peers in the residence halls.
RAs must complete a two-week training program in the fall before the quarter begins. Training covers topics such as safety, alcohol awareness, sexual harassment education, conflict mediation, and community development training to help students from all backgrounds feel welcome.
Training culminates in a “behind-closed-doors” session which takes the RAs through practical scenarios where they role-play confronting situations like loud parties, broken elevators, and students in academic crisis.
“The RAs aren’t expected to know all the answers, but they need to know who to refer students to when they need help,” said Catrina Wagner, academic coordinator for Student Housing.
Qualifications
Approximately 125 RAs go through the program each year. They need to have lived in the residence halls for at least two quarters and maintain a minimum 2.2 grade point average. First-time RAs receive room and board; returning RAs also receive a small stipend.
Daniel Coronado, a two-time RA who graduated this spring in psychology with a minor in contemporary leadership, said the position is a lot more than what is listed in the job description. Being an RA is better described as being a life guide, and he still gets calls from residents of a few years ago.
“It’s nice to know I’m still a resource for them,” Coronado said. “When students come to Davis, they won’t be alone.”
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