Collegian
May 1, 1986
Resident Assistants are necessary on campuses
I couldn't have said it better
myself!
I am a junior at Behrend, and I
have never written an letter to The
Collegian before, probably
because I just couldn't seem to
find the time. But I felt strongly
compelled to reply to the editorial
that appeared in the April 17 edi
tion of The Collegian.
Apartment residents don't need
RA's supervision. That's right.
RAs are not supervisors! RAs are
information sources, social event
organizers, students, friends to
those with problems, and door
unlockers too, but not
supervisors!
Let us again examine the argu
ment of whether it is economically
advantageous to have RAs in the
apartments. Starting at the top,
we can look at the cost to the
University. In the fall semester of
Library
In response to the letter in your
last issue regarding the library
noise problem, I feel there are
some additional views which
should be presented. I work as a
Student Assistant in our library
and I realize that library noise is a
problem at times. However, in
stead of complaining about this
problem, we should look at what
the causes are and what can be
done to solve it.
First of all, we are all (including
the library staff) looking forward
to seeing a new library built. Our
present library is located in a
Editorial Policy
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nions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily
those of The Behrend Collegian, The Behrend College, or The
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Postal Information: The Behrend Collegian (898-6221) is
published fourteen times annually (seven times during each
academic semester at The Behrend College) by the students of
The Behrend College; The Reed Union Building, Station
Road, Erie, PA 16563.
this year, the apartments had six which the parents of a PSU stu-
RAs at a total cost of 56,600.00 to dent are accusing the University
the university, not the $4,500.00 of being negligent in the enforce
mentioned in the letter. The ment of the Pennsylvania
students should be aware of this, Underage Drinking Laws. The
"The university does not hire
RAs and extensively train
them to hunt down
and bust parties."
but they should also be aware of
other things. For example,
students should know that several
lawsuits are pending against Penn
State University, including the one
for twenty-two million dollars in
ssistant responds to noise complaints
"ballroom" ' which was not
acoustically designed to be a
library. Every little noise—moving
a chair, or even coughing—is
amplified ten times. For now, we
must make the best of what we
have and be conscious of how
much noise we are making.
Which brings me to the crux of
the problem—talking. The library,
contrary to popular belief, is not a
meeting place or social hall.
Perhaps it is because there are few
other places for students to con
gregate except the Reed Building
and students are drawn to the
student had supposedly been
drinking on campus when he was
hurt. I won't even attempt to
figure an increase in each stu
dent's tuition after a law suit,
which could easily be won if the
library. If this is true, it is still not
a valid enough reason. Students
can always go to the Gorge or to
the TV lounge if they need to talk
or meet with other students.
It is up to the students
themselves to act in a mature,
adult way. Is it really necessary
for members of the library staff to
"patrol" the library and ask peo
ple to be quiet? If people refuse to
stop talking should we force them
to leave? I think that by the time
you are in college you should be
responsible enough to act like an
adult. But, if you want to be
treated like children, keep acting
like them. You may soon find
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pinion 6
university did not have RAs in all
on-campus residential areas.
I absolutely agree that the ma
jority of the apartment residents
are responsible, mature adults.
RAs are provided by the universi
ty to protect the rights of those
residents. Those students enjoy
themselves, but without throwing
things through other residents'
windows, without exploding
simulated hand grenades in the
quads, and without doing damage
to other students' cars parked in
the parking lots. These things are
less likely to occur when responsi
ble drinking is taking place (as op
posed to irresponsible drinking.)
The University does not want to
`oppress' students. The University
does not hold the opinion that
drinking is bad. The University
does not hire RAs and extensively
train them to 'hunt down' and
yourself faCing rules that are even
more strict.
"The library
is not
a meeting
place or
social hall."
Now, as for the "Quiet Study"
sign. That sign was posted due to
`bust' parties. The university does
encourage responsible drinking. I
wonder how many students are
referred for leisurely popping a
beer open in the privacy of their
own room or apartment? Not
many.
Many colleges and universities
hire RAs only as disciplinarians
but not Penn State. Many say that
Penn State University has one of
the best residential life staff train
ing programs in the country. This
University is interested not only in
educating students, but also in
making them aware of the many
other aspects of life and helping
them to develop into 'well
rounded', responsible individuals.
This is what an RA's job is all
about. RAs are not 'the enemy';
they're friends.
Craig Altmire
Sixth semester,
COMBA
complaints that not enough
students knew such a place was
available for their use. We posted
that sign in the hopes that more
students would utilize the study
room for their benefit.- The quiet
study room is also available late
nights until 1 a.m. after the
library closes.
Our library is small and with so
much going on in one central
room, there is bound to be some
noise. But if we all make a con
scious effort to be quiet, we can
improve the situation immediate
ly. Large libraries may have more
rooms and more books, but their
size may also give off a cold and
impersonal impression. Behrend's
library is small enough to offer
you a friendly atmosphere and a
staff who is always willing to help.
Take advantage of the benefits
our library offers, but at the same
time, don't abuse it.
Heather Van Slyke
Sixth Semester,
MIS