Original Question:

My floor leaves a lot of garbage in the hallways. Half-eaten dinners, bags of garbage from their rooms, popcorn bags, pop cans - everything ends up on the floor. I have left messages on their phones telling the residents this is unacceptable. I have talked to people at a meeting about it. I have threatened the residents with floor fines and nothing seems to work. I recently made up posters with pictures of garbage left on the floor that I took with my digital camera. Someone wrote across one of them "clean it up yourself." I document this every time, but I'm not sure what I can do to get through to my residents that leaving garbage in the halls is unacceptable. ~ Kate S.

ResidentAssistant.com Experts Answers:

Hi Kate- Man, that is so incredibly frustrating. Sometimes folks at school seem to forget the basic niceties of community living, and for a variety of reasons. Some are testing boundaries, some are trying to impress others, some are genuinely not considerate....I have some suggestions for you, and I hope they are helpful:

1. Talk with your Hall Director or Residence Director (even if you have already) and see if it is possible to partner up with the housekeeping/maintenance staff in addressing this issue. Maybe (along with other RAs) hold a "Housekeeping Appreciation Day" - in addition to telling the housekeeping staff that you appreciate their hard work, another goal is to get your residents to realize that their actions are making the housekeeping staff's job that much more difficult. Point out the good work the staff does that residents may not think or know about - washing bathrooms, vacuuming, mopping, wiping down railings, trash removal, etc.

2. Invite housekeeping to your meetings - don't discuss the trash issue, but introduce the staff to your residents. Sometimes it can make a big difference when a student sees the actual person who works so hard for them.

3. Talk to your residents one on one to see how they are doing and what they think about life on their floor - are there activities they would like to see, outstanding work orders that need to be finished, etc? Perhaps the trash issue is an outgrowth of dissatisfaction elsewhere.

4. Lastly, keep trying, but I really recommend this bit of advice: don't let your residents see you upset and angry.

From your email, it seems they know you are upset and angry about this situation, and it hasn't made the situation any better. Perhaps some folks are doing this to get a reaction out of you...kind of like when bullies pick on someone - they do it, in part, because they find the person's reaction "funny." Stay calm and follow up.

Hang in there...and know that sometimes you'll need to go to your supervisor to get assistance. I was at a school once where we ultimately moved 10 people from a 25 person floor because of recurring noise issues - a drastic step, but the issue went away. I think there is still more you all can do between now and then.

Good luck.

Jim

**************************
James G. O'Keefe
Assistant Director
Department of Residential Education
DePaul University

Hi! - I think you are on the right track by taking photos and posting them. Do you have housekeepers that are friendly? Sometimes highlighting, or introducing your floor to the staff have to clean it can help to make students feel more responsible. Perhaps a small social during the HK break could help residents to feel more responsibility? Or even a board/bulletin or other that has their names and photos.

A question to think about though, when did this start? Sometimes students behavior is more about getting attention then about the behavior itself. Is this a protest or a symptom of a larger issue? Has housing changed any policies -- converted upperclass dorms to freshmen dorms, changed assignment priority/ lately? or are there maintenance issues not being completed in a "reasonable amount of time"? Does your floor feel you or someone on staff made a judicial call they disagree with?

Any of the above can be a cause for student discontent. Consider holding a town meeting with the building and your HD or AC or RLC about the issues if something may have instigated this. Hope this is helpful--feel free to reply and let me know if you want help investigating this further.

Holly Shikano

Sounds like you have quite the problem on your floor. After reading what you have done, I would say that the next step is to start charging the floor for each case. I am assuming you can do this at Humber College but if you have warned them that you would fine them then you need to follow through and do that. You are at the last resort stages and this seems to be an appropriate course of action at this point.

Let me know if that works.
Ray Gasser

Kate, After reading your question I wonder what is in your code of student conduct/residence hall policies that addresses this. If you are documenting the situation is the judicial process not being followed through on these documents? You mention threatening to fine them. If floor fines are a possibility and practiced there I would get a quote from someone with regard to what is appropriate, post the information on the bulletin board and on a paper to each room notifying them of what the approximate cost will be and when this will be implemented. Then follow through. "Threats" are promises to act. When you promise to do something and then do not you lose credibility. I am a firm believer in giving people full notice, the time and opportunity to act and then acting as you said you would. Emphasize in your written communication to them the reasons that trash cannot be left in the halls: health concerns, bugs, rodents, general appearance, etc.

You may want to consider having your supervisor come in as a 'heavy' at a specially called meeting to address the concerns about this specific hall. Having him/her say to the group that this hall has 'come to his/her attention' or the attention of housekeeping staff is better than saying he/she was asked by you to speak.This will let people know that it is a bigger issue and a concern of the department/school and not just a personal campaign for you.

Finally, be mindful to respond to individuals whenever possible before making the group suffer. When you do not know who the perpetrators are this can be very difficult. When fining the group, expect vocal discontent from the innocent. Ask them to help you in addressing their neighbors. They may have avery good idea who the responsible parties are but do not feel a need to speak up at this time.

Best of luck. I am interested in hearing how it comes out.

Trey Reckling
Ombudsman
Savannah College of Art & Design

Q - During my first four weeks as an RA, I found myself dealing with a sexaul assault situation. While everything went smoothly and the situation is over, I don't know how to deal with the aftermath. I was not the one assaulted, but I was the intervening staff member. The Department does follow-up with the survivor, but not with the staff member who confronts the situation. How do I deal with what I went through as the RA involved in getting the survivor medical treatment, to talk about what happened, etc?

Residence Life Professional Answers:

First of all, I commend you for working through such a tough situation.  This is one of those things that we try our hardest as student affairs professional to prepare our staffs to deal with, while at the same time hoping that they will never have to.  It sounds like you did a great job through the incident...so I'm glad to know that you were there and prepared! 

As for keeping yourself sane through it all...I would suggest making sure that your supervisor knows that you are dealing with issues yourself.  It is hard being the caregiver all of the time.  Perhaps it's a good way for your department to realize that they need to offer more support for those of you who are dealing...and might need to readdress some of these issues through staff development and/o training sessions.  Also...it's not unheard of for people who help others to seek help for themselves.  Don't be afraid to talk to a counselor yourself about the issues that have arisen since.  As I always tell my staff, you can't help other people if you're dealing with issues yourself...and it can sometimes hinder you from helping if a similar situation arises again.  Knowing some of the proper ways to deal with these anxieties should make you feel better.

Also...have you thought about sharing these feelings with other staff?  Is there a venue where you can discuss these issues with other RAs and/or professional staff?  Perhaps even taking time out of a staff meeting or asking your supervisor for time at a staff development or in-service might be a good way for your to "get it out" and talk to other people.  Some staff at my institution that have dealt with sexual assault situations also volunteer their time to do sexual assault awareness programs for the general student population (me being one of them), where we talk a little about the situations we've seen and also do an information session about keeping yourself and your friends safe from such circumstances.

Again...I commend you on your efforts.  Keep up the motivation and energy and always remember that you made a huge impact on someone and helped them through a very tough situation.

Best of luck in the future.

Steve Crudup
Resident Director, O'Connor Hall
Dickinson Community
Binghamton University

I am terribly sorry that you have had to deal with an assault so early on.  I know that it is likely one of the hardest things you have been through.  My advice is to talk to your counseling center  and supervisor/director of Res. Life, see if you can get an appointment to talk to someone.  Remember confidentiality!  Do not use your resident's name when discussing the situation.

>From my personal experience, helping a student through a Rape Kit has been one of the more difficult tasks--and I have been in the field for three years.  If your area/university has a rape crisis center, they can also help you.  Just call and tell them you have been assisting a friend with an assault and that you feel a little overwhelmed, they should be able to see you.

Other avenues for help exist in your resident.  Once  she/he seems to doing better, ask them what you could have done to make things easier.  Find out what you did that made them most comfortable.  Remember that your resident's choice was the primary thing assaulted--her/his choice of what to do with their body, so if they don't want to talk t o you anymore,  or if they begin to shut down when you mention it, remind them that they don't have to talk about it, but you are still there for them. 

Some students/survivors in the past have actually wanted to be involved with rape prevention programs.  Also, you may feel better if you can get some information out to other residents.  Approximately 40% of all sexual assaults/date rapes that occur on college campuses occur in the first six weeks.  I encourage you to talk to your supervisor or a professional counselor. Remember that supporting a victim of rape can be stressful!  It is normal to need to get support, just don't breach confidentiality.

Thanks for your question
Holly Habicht, Residence Life Coordinator, Ga Tech

Residentassistant.com forwarded me your message about the sexual assault situation that you dealt with recently.  What a difficult  and unfortunate circumstance to have to deal with so early on in the semester.  And - as a first year RA!  The first thing I want you to know is, you have been down one of the longest and hardest roads in the business my friend.  Chances are the situations you will deal with from here on out are going to be chicken feed compared to this one.  The RA job is RARELY that hard ALL the time or even VERY OFTEN.

Sometimes administrators get so wrapped up in helping the survivor they forget the secondary survivors in the situation which include the survivors friends, family, significant other, AND the responding RA(s).  If you feel that you have been forgotten my friend, please let your supervisor know - in an appropriate and respectful manner.  It is always important for people to review and critique their responses and plan once a sexual assault has occurred to identify what worked and what still NEEDS work.  It sounds like remembering the secondary survivors and their pain in something that needs to be incorporated into the protocol for handling this situation in the future on your campus.  

In the meantime - PLEASE make an appointment at you campus Counseling Center to talk about this situation and the feelings and reactions that are residual inside you.  This is a VERY emotional issue and feeling affected by it even though you were not the one assaulted, is COMPLETELY normal and expected.  Do deal with this now, while it is fresh.  Failure to do so will only mean having to deal with more of a mess of emotions later.  

You should consider yourself a seasoned RA at this point my friend.  Having taken such good care of your resident, please turn some of the caring inside and take care of finishing this situation for yourself by finding a confidential source to talk with you about it....GOOD LUCK!

Adrienne Otto Frame
Residence Coordinator
Mahoney Residential College
University of Miami

I am sorry to hear that you have already had to deal with such a big
situation.  I am very glad to hear that the student is getting the support and care they need.  You are right that you as the staff member you have been affected and need to work through the things this situation has brought up for you.

I have two suggestions for you:

1.  I encourage you to speak with your supervisor about your need for support.  He/She may not realize you are having a difficult time working through the issues this situation may have brought up for you. 
2.  I also strongly suggest you utilize the University's Personal Counseling Center.  I am sure they have experience with supporting the staff who deal with traumatic situations.  They are well trained and although I do not know them I am sure they will be a wonderful outlet
for you well beyond this situation.

I wish you luck and I hope you enjoy being an RA.

********************************************
Lina Balcom
Assistant Director, Residential Life /
Coordinator of Substance Abuse and Wellness Programs
Rollins College
Winter Park, FL                                     

 

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Q - How do I get my floor to obey the quiet hours rule?  On weeknights, our quiet hours are from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., and weekends (Friday and Saturday nights) are from midnight to 8 a.m.  My floor doesn't ever get quiet.  My room adjoins my floor's lobby, and my residents are in my lobby every night being loud, loud, loud!  I sound like a broken record by now, asking them to be quiet.  I've had the HR (Head Resident) come up multiple times to tell them to take it to their rooms, but that hasn't worked, either.  Any ideas on how to get them to obey quiet hours without sounding like a broken record every night?

Residence Life Professional Answers:

Well, the unfortunate fact might be that you might have to start documenting the quiet hours violations so that your residents will understand that it's a violation of your housing policy.  I know this might not make it any easier, but your residents need to know that this is something they are supposed to be adhering to.

Also, remember that it's them that's doing it...so confront the behavior and make sure they understand that you're doing your job and they are the ones violating the policy.  It's their behavior that causing you to have to respond. 

You might also want to make sure that your quiet hours are posted well throughout the affected area.  Also, one approach we have in my hall is making sure that other residents know that they should feel comfortable confronting such violations, as well...because when people are loud it doesn't just bother the RA.

I wish you the best of luck with this!

Steve Crudup
Resident Director, O'Connor Hall
Dickinson Community
Binghamton University

Hi!

It sounds to me like you may be ready to write some people up!

I had a really loud floor my second year as a hall director.  My RA was also going crazy, getting up and asking people repeatedly to be quiet.  She was very nice and did not want to actually write up an incident report form--to start a discipline action.

I had her post large signs in the bathroom saying that there would be no
more warnings...Then she wrote up four people, I fined them $5.00 and all was quiet...

Definitely run this by the head resident, or by those that are in charge of
the discipline process.

Do you have a discipline process?  If not, this advice will likely not help
at all.

Good Luck!

Holly Habicht, RLC
Graduate and Family Housing Georgia Tech

Thanks for contacting residentassistant.com.  I am a Residence Coordinator at the University of Miami and have been in this crazy field for the last 8 years.

I saw your question and wanted to know...Have you documented these folks for their continued disruptive behavior?  If so, has someone taken formal judicial action against those people for their continued violation of
policy?

In our building, we give students a verbal warning and then they are written up.  Once I receive the report, I take the student through discipline and counsel them on the ins and outs of the policy so they clearly understand it.  If I see them in my office for the same violation again, I immediately charge them through the discipline system and assign an appropriate sanction.  Generally, this action "gets around" to other members of the floor/building community and there is a decrease in noise related problems and issues.  Sounds like someone needs to send a clear message that continued violation of the quiet hours policy will NOT be tolerated.

Hope this is helpful in some way.  

Adrienne Otto Frame
Residence Coordinator
Mahoney Residential College
University of Miami

You are in a situation in which many RAs find themselves.  My suggestion is to document the behavior through your judicial process - in other words "write them up."  By giving continued "warnings" you are sending them a very specific message that there are no serious consequences for their actions.

I know that this behavior is not as glaring as underage drinking however it can be much more disruptive for your community.  Perhaps a formal conversation with an administrator is what they need to recognize the impact their behavior is having on others.

Good Luck

Lina Balcom
Assistant Director, Residential Life
Rollins College
Winter Park, FL

I would suggest that you begin writing incident reports on the noise
violators.  Let the peer judicial system, or administrative system handle it.
You might research your handbook to be completely informed about the policy.  Just remember incident reports need to be factual, so if it has been driving you crazy, which I am sure it has keep that out of the report. Just write that on numerous occasions or every night you have to handle the noise.   Another thing you can do is empower your floor to handle the noise.  If it is bothering more residents than just you urge them to ask the noise makers to stop.

Gregg Stewart
Residence Life Coordinator
at the University of Central Oklahoma

 

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A. Two quick ideas:

1--Do a board that is easy to fix. If the board is vandalized, but no one really notices it because you "recover" quickly, it may stop on its own.  If they get no thrill from annoying you then they will likely stop.

2--Choose a topic that requires their involvement--opinions from floor members tend to make the floor members vandalize it less.

An idea that incorporates both is to do a Current Events board with the age old agree or disagree format--for the background of the board, use newspaper either campus news or national or both. Select a topic that your residents will have an opinion about. Since you are in California, you could pick something about energy or environment since the power shortage is all over the news.--or if you campus is political, select a topic like Clinton's Pardons, Estate Taxes, GW's Tax Cut, Military Spending, Funding the Space Program, etc.

Put the topic in big letters either purchased or cut out in red construction paper, underneath the title separate the board into 2 columns with a strip of construction paper (or border) and label the 2 columns Agree or Disagree or Vote Yes/Vote No, Ethical/Unethical, spend more/spend less...depending on the topic you select.  Pass out note cards, or attach them to the board so residents can write out their opinions and have enough push pins on the board so they can post their opinions.

Residents are less likely to vandalize something that they can/have/could participate in.

Please if you try this, let me know how it works. And remember, repair quickly and show no aggravation...the vandals will likely stop once they see it doesn't matter.

Sincerely, Holly E. Habicht, RLC Georgia Tech 

A. Unfortunately, this happens to often where residents don't respect their community.

I have a couple of ideas for you:

1.  Leave it ripped down but put up a simple sign in the middle of the destroyed bulletin board that talks about community and respect.  This sometimes works.

2.  Leave it ripped down but try to put paper "band-aids" on it to show that your bulletin board has feelings and that you are trying to keep it up.

3.  Take it all down and do not put a bulletin board up until you can talk to your floor in a floor meeting to discuss the problem.

4.  Take it all down but put up a sign that the bulletin board is on hiatus until the community can respect it.

5.  Try a new bulletin board entitled "Tear Me Down" and put up different things that don't get respect.

I hope that gives you some ideas to motivate you to address the issue in a very direct way.  Good luck and let me know if I can be of any other assistance.

Ray Gasser
Assistant Director of Residential Life for Student Development
Indiana State University

A. Unfortunately respect is not something that can be just gained overnight, it is a process.  One of the most effective things I have seen an RA on our campus do was to have those people affected by the vandalism or problem directly discuss at a floor meeting, this becomes more difficult if the perpetrator is a member of a different part of the facility, i.e. another floor or from outside of the building.  (More info might be helpful in that context), but nonetheless, an accountability meeting might be beneficial to the group.  The best example occurred when the students were leaving the
bathroom dirty.  After weeks of frustration the RA decided to invite the housekeeper from the floor to a floor meeting to discuss how this effected the housekeeper.  The floor got to meet the housekeeper out of their element, at a floor meeting and discuss the pride they take in the job they
do.  You may want to parallel this idea by having a discussion with the floor, inviting your RD and share the fact that this is an expectation of the job and how you like to have the board look good for the students.

I am a firm believer in honest discussion and sharing how people are affected by the behaviors of others.  You might be impressed how a civil conversation with others might work.   There are other ways to handle this situation, such as not decorating the boards, etc.  But I think leaving a bb
blank only shows that the resident responsible for ripping them down has "won"...  don't give in.  By active in your job and doing the right thing!

Good luck and keep up the good work!
Tom Ellett - Director of Residence Life
Syracuse university