[nabs-l] Becoming an RA

Tue Feb 28 22:38:22 UTC 2017

Hello,
I'm going to try to answer all the initial questions here:
1) Can he reject the application because you're blind:
That's possible, although I would expect that he would tell you that
there are issues and try to talk them over with you. It would be good
for you to get clear instructions on what you need to do and think out
ways around them. Perhaps you would have issues making dorm inspection
rounds, but those are usually done in a team of two.
2) Problems you can't fix:
RAs are not required nor needed to fix shower issues and things like
that. Your goal is generally to host meetings, help students do what
they need to and be someone to talk to and help solve room issues. You
can do all of this without usable sight. For issues like the shower,
generally you'll want to put in a work order.
3) RA time:
This would be something that you would have to ask yourself if it's
worth becoming an RA for. People on my campus are required to be around
for 2-3 weekends a month, so this would create a lot of issues. Also if
you are planning on leaving the country, I'd recommend pushing the RA
position to a year when you aren't going to be out of country. They
usually last a year because the time to train an RA is extensive.

I would recommend against becoming an RA strictly because you want your
own room. It might be nice, but there is a lot of work involved. If you
are already good at managing your time, then you should be fine with the
RA position. In my school this usually means helping prepare for events,
hanging posters (easy), checking up on people you know are having issues
and in general just connecting with people and doing rounds as you're
required. The bonuses to this are a free single room, which could be
really useful and saves a lot of money.
Hope that helps,
Ty

On 2/28/2017 5:30 PM, Kiana Harlan via NABS-L wrote:
> I don't think it will take attention away from your studies. Lots of
> students serve as RA's. It all depends on the individual. If you feel
> like you can handle the extra work, then go for it. Also, RA's aren't
> on duty all the time. You wouldn't be expected to be on duty during
> your class time. You will also have time off and down time to focus on
> homework.
> 
> On 2/28/17, Linson Productions via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> I would advise against this as becoming an RA will hinder you from doing
>> your studies. That is what's the most important to you at this point in
>> your life.
>>
>>
>> On February 28, 2017 11:21:53 AM Ashley Bramlett via NABS-L
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Sami,
>>>
>>> Go ahead and apply. It depends on your school, but most schools have a RA
>>> during the weekends. You might have to stay some weekends, but not all of
>>> them since RAs probably rotate duties. As for study abroad, you could
>>> just
>>> do that another year. RA positions last a year usually so this frees you
>>> up
>>> to study abroad another time.
>>>
>>> Good luck.
>>> Ashley
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Sami Osborne via NABS-L
>>> Sent: Friday, February 24, 2017 12:01 AM
>>> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> Cc: Sami Osborne
>>> Subject: [nabs-l] Becoming an RA
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I just got an email today telling us when applications are due
>>> for the students to become an RA for next year.  I think it would
>>> be very interesting to become one, because it would allow me to
>>> have an on-campus job as well as giving me the opportunity to
>>> meet/interact more with the other students as well as being able
>>> to manage whatever problems they're having with living in the
>>> dorms.  Plus, the advantage of being an RA at my school is that
>>> you get to have your own room, which is good in my opinion,
>>> because, (I posted about this a couple months ago,) my experience
>>> living with two roommates has been somewhat of a disaster this
>>> past year.  I'd just like to know if you guys have become/are
>>> currently an RA on your college campus.  Is it possible to be one
>>> as blind students? If so, how was/is your experience so far?
>>>
>>> I also had a few concerns I wanted to address with you guys
>>> before I apply for the position.  First of all, the director of
>>> Residence Life knows that I'm totally blind.  In your opinion,
>>> may that cause him to immediately reject my application simply
>>> because he thinks I can't accomplish the job for whatever reason?
>>> If my application is rejected, (either for that or any other
>>> reason,) would I be able to discuss with him why it's been
>>> rejected, since I have no control in his overall decision?
>>> Second, I know that RA's have to address every kind of problem
>>> that the students living in their unit are having.  Some of these
>>> things are difficult or impossible to solve.  For example, when I
>>> was walking back to my dorm from class one day, I talked to one
>>> of my acquaintances, (who lives next door to me,) who was waiting
>>> for our RA to come back because he had some kind of problem with
>>> the shower in his unit.  I honestly have no idea how I, or even
>>> most people, would be able to fix something like that, especially
>>> since I have absolutely no experience with this kind of thing.
>>> My RA actually would like to become a mechanical engineer, so I
>>> guess he would have experience with that.
>>> Third, are RA's allowed to go home/leave campus for an extended
>>> period of time, like on weekends or studying abroad? The reason
>>> I'm asking is because I go home on weekends, (which is an
>>> advantage for me, since I live only fifteen minutes away from
>>> campus).  One of the main reasons I have to go home is because I
>>> have piano lessons every week at a music school that's an hour
>>> away from my county, and I usually depend on my mother to drive
>>> me there (I haven't  got any mobility training in using public
>>> transit such as trains, and taking a cab there would be too
>>> expensive, since it's an hour away).  I'm also planning to study
>>> abroad during my junior year, and therefore, if I was an RA, they
>>> would probably have to look for a replacement, unless RA's are
>>> not allowed to study abroad for some reason.  Also, that being
>>> said, is an RA position a temporary, one-yet-long position, or is
>>> it a permanent one unless I resign/get fired?
>>>
>>> I hope to hear from you guys soon.
>>>
>>> Thanks very much and have a great night,
>>>
>>> Sami
>>>
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>>
>>
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-- 
Take care,
Ty
Twitter: @sorressean
Web: https://tysdomain.com
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