Originally published May 4, 2000
by Adam Zurn

Millersville University and Resident Life rely on the hard work and effort of Resident Assistants to keep the dorms safe and running smoothly. This last year, more than any other, RAs became an unappreciated and over-worked resource.

When the University overbooked last semester, it was the RAs who picked up the slack by taking on a roommate. One of the few perks for an RA is not having a roommate. Don't forget, the University promised to remove the roommates as soon as possible. For most, this never happened. While some complained, most RAs seemed to deal with it for one of two reasons. One, because they are good-natured people or two, they were afraid if they made too much fuss they would lose their jobs.

Resident Life has again taken advantage of the RAs for most of this semester. RAs in Gaige, Burrowes, and Landes often have to pull double shifts when security guards don't show up. These dorms seem to have a problem keeping security guards, and RAs are forced to fill in when the guards don't show.

First and foremost, RAs are students. However, this is not the opinion of the Resident Life office. They enjoy getting their every dollar's worth and then some out of the RAs. Just because they took on the job of an RA doesn't mean that they signed their souls to the devil.

Why should they have to pick up all the leftover work that needs to be done in the dorms? Resident Life maintains that RAs working as security guards is not a problem since there is someone always guarding the dorm.

Why aren't people willing to be a security guard? The answer is simple-the University doesn't pay nearly enough for such a lousy job. Security guards only make a few pennies above minimum wage while most third shift workers in the "real world" make more than the first or second shifts.

Shouldn't someone who has the responsibility of guarding an entire dorm from the evils of the night make a little bit more than the average worker flipping burgers? We are talking about the safety of several hundred students here, aren't we?

In addition to not being paid enough, it's the end of the semester and many people have found themselves burned out. Few want to do much of anything, especially stay up all night for a couple of measly bucks watching the drunks stagger in.

The solution to the current security guard crisis is simply to raise the pay. Anyone who took ECON 101 learned about the law of supply and demand. Another possible solution is to install card swipes at all the dorms (it seems to be working where it's already installed) thus removing the need for security guards all together. Let's respect our precious campus resource-the Resident Assistants-by allowing them to have a life or at least get some sleep, especially with finals coming up. So Resident Life, dig around in the bottom of your pocket and pay those security guards their due. Because if you abuse the RAs once too often, you might find another housing problem on your hands next semester. It won't be overcrowding.