The University received 175 applications for the residential colleges' new Residential College Adviser (RCA) position this year, down from last year's all-time high of 205 applicants for 98 available positions.
Despite the slight drop, the incorporation of the Residential Adviser (RA) and Minority Affairs Adviser (MAA) roles into the single RCA position has been largely welcomed, according to Hilary Herbold, associate dean of undergraduate students.
"I'm actually quite pleased at the number of applicants, given that students are unfamiliar to this model," Herbold said. "It's always much easier to apply for a familiar position, so the fact that we've had a figure that is solidly in the middle of past years is really encouraging."
The University received 185 applications in 2002 and 158 applications in 2001 for a similar number of positions. The number of returning applicants is also comparable to past years, Herbold said.
The decision to combine the RA and MAA roles was initially recommended by a USG subcommittee last semester and endorsed by the Council of Masters. For the last five years, the combined RCA role has been tested in a pilot program in Wilson College.
"I think there always has been and increasingly is an overlap between the RA and MAA positions and although the MAA was specifically charged with diversity, I don't think it can really be extricated from the support role that RAs offer," Herbold said.
The new job description was developed by a committee comprised of University academic officials, directors of studies and current RAs and MAAs, and is intended to keep diversity issues under the jurisdiction of the RCA, she said.
"We're consciously broadening our definition of diversity beyond race and ethnicity at the urging of the students," Herbold said. "Basically all the advisers will be both RAs and MAAs."
The change has also been welcomed by current officers.
"I've applied for the RCA position and so has Freddie [LaFemina], the other RA for Buyers, and Kim [Nakamaru] the MAA," said Tiffani White '06, an RA in Rockefeller College.
"At the moment in Buyers, I work with the other RA and the MAA to look after all the advisees, so we already have the team system in operation that the RCA position is meant to implement," White said.
Erica James '06, an MAA in Witherspoon Hall, has also applied for an RCA position next year.
"I expect my duties to be pretty much the same, but they'll be a lot easier to fulfill as an RCA just because I'll have so many less advisees," she said. "At the moment I'm responsible for all the freshmen and sophomores in Witherspoon Hall, so I have about 130 advisees — as an RCA I'll probably have 20 to 30 total."
Though James supports the change, she said diversity issues may not get as much attention under the new system.
"I'm worried that some RAs might not be as effective as people who've served in the MAA role because they'll have a wider set of priorities," she said. "But I sit on the committee that is working out the training for the new RCAs and we are really committed to making the new position work."
The applications will now be passed on to the residential colleges for interviews and new RCAs will be appointed in January.
Read More
Joseph ’25 next Young Alumni Trustee in 21 percent turnout election
Vitus LarrieuGil Joseph ’25 won the Young Alumni Trustee election, which saw 21 percent turnout. Joseph, Stephen Padlo ’25 and Ben Wachspress ’25 competed in the final round of elections after advancing from a notably large primary in April.
Gil Joseph ’25 won the Young Alumni Trustee election, which saw 21 percent turnout. Joseph, Stephen Padlo ’25 and Ben Wachspress ’25 competed in the final round of elections after advancing from a notably large primary in April.
‘A brilliant young contemporary writer and a beautiful human being’: Remembering Lauren Blackburn ’26
Victoria Davies and Caitlyn TabladaBlackburn was found deceased by authorities on April 25, several days after he was reported missing. He was 23 years old at the time of his death and is remembered by friends and mentors as a brilliant writer, voracious learner, and loving friend. A family obituary said he passed away after a “courageous battle with bipolar disorder.”
Blackburn was found deceased by authorities on April 25, several days after he was reported missing. He was 23 years old at the time of his death and is remembered by friends and mentors as a brilliant writer, voracious learner, and loving friend. A family obituary said he passed away after a “courageous battle with bipolar disorder.”
GSG approves audit, delays budget approval after ‘insufferable’ meeting
Nikki HanThe final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.
The final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.