Chappelear for Half the YearBy: Alexis Groves

Alarm goes off. It’s 9:30a.m. Katie Anderson has a long day ahead of her. Her schedule consists of three classes, two meals with friends, papers to write, and a night shift to work from 8p.m. to 12a.m.

Anderson is a sophomore Resident Adviser (R.A.) in James Madison University’s Village residence hall, Chappelear. However, her story isn’t a typical R.A.’s story. Last semester, Anderson lived in Converse Hall with a roommate, new friends, and had an R.A. of her own. Over winter break, she received a call asking if she was still interested in being an R.A. and before she knew it, she was moving into a completely new surrounding as if it were the first day of school all over again.

The Office of Residence Life receives an abundant number of R.A. applications each semester. Whether it is because the position includes free room and board, a room to oneself, or the ability to live on campus, the Office of Residence Life continuously has a wide selection of applicants to choose from. Applications are always kept on file just in case there are situations like this one, in which the previous R.A. in Chappelear chose to leave halfway through the academic year.

“There is an alternate pool of R.A. applicants who were either not hired the first time around because there wasn’t enough room or because they applied late,” said Jenny Mantz, Administrative Assistant of the Office of Residence Life.

Anderson was one of the applicants who chose to apply late because she was originally unsure whether or not the job was right for her.

“I had thought about it before but I never did anything. So one day in November, I just went down to the Office of Residence Life and told them I was interested in becoming an R.A. for next semester, if any spaces were available,” said Anderson.

However, once she accepted the offer, she knew she made the right decision. Although she may have been a little nervous at first, Anderson began to feel right at home with Chappelear’s open and welcoming arms. This was a big change for Anderson because she not only had to adjust from a hall-style dorm to a suite-style one, but she also had to start building relationships with her fellow residents for a second time.

“I absolutely adore her. She’s a sweetheart, really nice, peppy, outgoing, and always happy,” said suitemate sophomore Jordan Tignor. “If she is there, her door is always open,” added suitemate sophomore Lauren Bunch.

A resident adviser is a job that keeps students on their toes. Anderson has had faces and names to memorize, bulletin boards to make, community programs to plan, and

a variety of shifts to work. An R.A. can only take four day off per month and must remain at school the rest of the time. Furthermore, R.A.s must check and inspect their residents’ rooms before they are able to leave for Thanksgiving, winter, and spring break.

Since Anderson became an R.A. mid-year, she did not experience any of the summer training that other R.A.s had. The Chappelear Hall Director, Josh Vargas, took the liberty of introducing Anderson to the other Chappelear R.A.s, hosted meetings, and gave her the basic 411 of what the job entails.

“Katie has been great to work with. She is a great addition to our program and she definitely has a love for her job,” added sophomore R.A. Alicia Hesse.

Although it is a job that consists of responsibilities and a time commitment, R.A.s often participate in other leisure activities as well. Anderson enjoys playing the bassoon and is an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI), which is a professional women’s music fraternity. In addition, she is part of the Double Reeds club, which is a club for JMU students who play either the bassoon or oboe.

Most residents fear their R.A.s until they simply take the time to get to know them. The Office of Residence Life provides R.A.s at JMU valuable resources and information to give to their residents. For instance, they have contact information for the First Year Involvement (FYI) writing center and other places for homework help.

“I want to be able to be there for my residents if they ever need anything at all,” said Anderson.

Unfortunately, Anderson will be living off campus next year since she signed her lease in October, before she became an R.A. However, she is almost positive that she will reapply for the job her senior year.