The University finally announced last week that it is finally getting rid of the position of Minority Affairs Adviser. The old responsibilities of MAAs will be taken over by the current position of Residential Adviser. The Residential Advising Review and Recommendation Committee, a student-led group, recommended the change.
The new residential advising system promises to do a better job of fulfilling students' needs. Under the new system, smaller RA groups allow advisors to give their advisees more personal attention. In addition, MAAs are currently an underutilized resource. Many students go through an entire year without even knowing which MAA is assigned to them. The MAA system also unfairly targets minority students who may feel insulted by a school that thinks they are unable to communicate with non-minority students. Other minority students are just as uncomfortable talking to an MAA of a different ethnic group as they are talking to a non-minority student.
The removal of a specific MAA position should also be a boon to advisers. In the past, many potential applicants have felt torn between applying for the two positions. Other advisors have resented the fact that, in their eyes, they were chosen as an MAA solely on account of their minority status.
Despite the problems that exist with the current residential advising system, it is important that minority students feel that they have some place to go should a problem arises. But this should not be an issue as long as the advising system makes students aware of the full extent of the resources that exist. For example, minority students who feel uncomfortable talking with their RA should know that they may approach another RA who they do feel comfortable around. Further, the colleges must work to pick advisers who are capable of dealing with the issues of all students.
The new residential advising system offers the University a chance both to better serve its students and to reaffirm its commitment to minorities.
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