ResidentAssistant.com home page
Program
of the Month!
-- Check out this month's winner!
Programming
Ideas
-- Programming ideas in different categories!
RA Humor
-- The key to success!
RA
Discussion Group!!
-- Ask and answer questions NEW!
RA
Resources
Other resources, on and off the web
What is one key to success? |
| Q. If you could identify one key
to being a successful RA, what would it be? A. I think it is best to try to encourage the roommates to work it out on their own first. If needed, you can give some advice to a roommate who complains to you. If they are not able to resolve it, see if they are both willing to sit down with you and talk about it. Make sure you hear both sides, and don't be biased toward one person just because they came to you first with their side of the story. Click here to see a roommate discussion paper that I typed up, and if you like it, you can download the file. Dan Oltersdorf - Colorado State University A. Have a mediation with both residents
in a room. Set boundary rules first, only one person talks at a time, no interrupting, and
hear the other person out. A. Do roomate agreement forms
at the beginning of the year. When a conflict arises, you pull that out, and find out what
agreements were broken, and what needs to be changed to aleve the incident. CLICK HERE FOR A ROOMMATE FORM A. It's like counseling, I
suppose...Go in, sit down, and get them to talk about the things that bother them. Gently
bring up uncomfortable issues. Don't fill in awkward silences; let them do it. Mediate -
make sure things stay under control and fair - but don't take over. Be prepared for tears
or angry outbursts. Try not to be phased. The more calm you stay, the more calm they will
stay. Emphasize compromise, and if need be, throw in helpful reminders (without being
condescending) about being adults...(hint, hint). If all else fails, let them duke it out.
(No, that last part probably isn't a good idea.) A. Mediation! It's important
that they communicate so that THEY can A. Triad mediation is
always good. Refer back to roommate agreements completed -hopefully- when they moved
in. Compromise Compromise Compromise! What are your thoughts on helping with roommate conflict? Please click here to answer this and other RA questions, or email me your answer! |
© 1998 Dan Oltersdorf | Contact | Disclaimer
