Equality and Justice for All Resident Assistants

To Bob Jose, the Director of Residential Life
To VP Ed Klotzbier, Vice President of Student Affairs
To Exec. VP Philomena Mantella, Executive Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
To President Richard Freeland

This letter is written on behalf of the RAs at Northeastern University by the undersigned. On February 22, 2005 an electronic copy of the RA Contract for 2005-2006 was sent via email to all currently employed RAs. The RAs who have signed this petition strongly urge the administration to shift priorities, and consider the quality of life of those who serve this department, and community with pride. The following are our grievances:

1. RA Staff meetings on Tuesday nights. This prohibits students from joining Model United Nations for class credit, or club status. This also prohibits students from being involved in other clubs and activities on Tuesday nights. We believe it is important for each staff to set their own meeting time and location to accommodate the variety of interests on staff and cultivate a stronger sense of staff appreciation.

2. The term Probation as it is applied to all first year/first semester RAs is inappropriate. Probation has a negative "job action" connotation. Rather than use such terminology, RAs should enter an "evaluation period beginning at the start of their employment and ending one semester following the start of their employment." This slight change will break down any hierarchical imbalances that may occur from beginning new RAs on "probation."

3. The new policy regarding Proctor shifts is damaging to our quality of life for the following reasons. First, it is unreasonable to ask a student, who is responsible for upholding the entire RA contract, to dedicate an eight-hour block of time, twice per month, to proctoring. Although it seems like more work, four hours once per week is more feasible for balancing our time. Second, it is unreasonable for RAs to be required to hold one of those shifts from 11 pm until 7 am, or 11 am to 3 pm. RAs on coop will have a very difficult time meeting this requirement. Additionally, RAs who need to post shifts will have a much more difficult time having them replaced. The RAs who have signed this petition also believe that by requiring RAs to complete a shift, such as the overnight, which is ordinarily compensated at a higher rate than the day shifts, the divide of inequity is deepened. The RAs who work during the day are working Proctor shifts which would pay just over $7 per hour, where the RAs who work at night are working shifts that originally pay over $10 per hour. Although this saves the University $80/per overnight shift, it places a strain on the RAs, which gives them less time building community, and tending to their floors.

4. Our final issue, is regarding compensation inequity. Although all Resident Assistants receive compensated housing and meals, the value of these packages is unequal. An RA in Stetson East's room is of a different value than that of an RA in West Village H. Also, RAs should have an option to opt for a 15 meals/week or even 10 meals/week staff meal plan which includes a greater balance of dining dollars. This would cost the department the same amount. A similar meal plan change was implemented last summer for the Orientation Leaders, and that office may have more information on how this could be possible.

These issues all reflect, what is perceived by many of us, as a shift in priorities for the University. The individual resident assistant still feels as disposable and unappreciated as ever - and we do not fault our departments leadership alone for this. We believe that pressure has been brought forth from the Office of Student Affairs, as well as the Office of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs without adequate consideration to the RAs morale as a staff or individual quality of life.

We, the undersigned, ask that all administrative officials responsible for this contract rethink some of its requirements before it is implemented in the coming days. The Northeastern University RA staff has many talented individuals, who feel overtaxed, overburdened, and disposable. In order for Northeastern to be good neighbors, our Resident Assistants must be able to spend the appropriate time and energy on building community in our halls. This objective should not be hindered by overambitious proctor shifts, strict meeting requirements, compensation inequality, or the derogatory status of new RAs. We urge change, and will be submitting a proposal contract that acknowledges many of these concerns within a short time.