Devereux Hall
photo: St. Bonaventure University
BY ISABEL MARZULLO, NEWS EDITOR
Recently there has been a noticeable shift in Resident Assistants at St. Bonaventure University. Some enter the role with enthusiasm but leave burnt out. Between lack of support, working late shifts and conflicts with housekeeping, several RAs have decided not to return to the job.
Regina Izydorczak, an RA on the first floor of Devereux Hall last year, said she encountered pushback when it came to supporting her residence.
“We had meetings almost every week and I was often questioned and although I asked for assistance, I was met with the same statement over and over: ‘Just keep filling out facility service requests’ and nothing ever seemed to change,” said Izydorczak.
Izydorczak applied for the job after having an exceptional RA who helped her feel seen and inspired during her freshman year.
“To this day she will check in on me,” said Izydorczak. “Having such a positive influence and someone to count on when I first started my college experience made me want to help other people.”
Shifts often run from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m on Fridays and Saturdays, during which RAs must conduct rounds to check bathrooms, hallways and laundry rooms.
“Oftentimes I would spend my shift completing my homework to ensure I was able to stay awake,” said Izydorczak. “I also scheduled events when I knew my schedule wouldn’t be super hectic; I’m a person who is generally ahead of the game and did things right away.”
Keanna Cooper, an RA for the third floor of Robinson Hall this year, balances her work with school by creating schedules throughout the day.
“On Sundays, I schedule out my week ahead of when I need to do certain things,” said Cooper. “Thankfully being an RA isn’t too time-consuming, so it makes it easy to split schoolwork and being an RA.”
Cooper applied for the job after appreciating the work her RA did during her freshman year.
“I remember them making me feel so welcomed in my first few weeks of college and encouraging us to get involved in many different activities,” said Cooper. “They formed many connections with many of us residents and made me feel comfortable being at college.”
Izydorczak said she wished she had the time to build proper relationships with her residence; however, found herself frequently battling housekeeping. Her residence had only two showers and two toilets for nearly 25 people.
“I experienced a year-long battle with housekeeping,” said Izydorczak. “During training we were informed of how often and what was supposed to be cleaned daily and or weekly. I noticed that my little corner of the building was often left untouched, or barely wiped down.”
After a year of working as an RA, Izydorczak decided not to return after the cons outweighed the pros, she said.
“I didn’t feel supported and was extremely burnt out,” said Izydorczak. “St. Bonaventure RAs do not get free room and board like other schools, and even the stipend once added up is still not enough to cover the cost of what we pay, and if you add up the hours spent working between training, shifts, planning, events and any maintenance issues it doesn’t even add up to be considered being paid hourly minimum wage.”
Cooper plans to return as an RA next year, feeling that she has built many valuable connections.
marzulig22@bonaventure.edu
