From cleaning checks to aiding students in distress, BYU–Hawaii Resident Advisors (RAs) said they agree their primary duty is to balance the concerns of students with the standards of Housing while managing the shifting landscape of supervising students.
Hale 2 RA Hinemoa Langi, a sophomore from Tonga studying accounting, said, “Being an RA helps me learn about my potential and what I can do. It's an opportunity to know other people.”
Langi said the example of her Hale 9 RAs she had her freshman year inspired her to become an RA. She said her RAs went out of their comfort zones to learn and help others in all areas of their lives.
Joan Rey, a junior from the Philippines studying communications and a Hale 8 RA, said being a RA is unlike any other on-campus job because you cover many areas.
“We’re trained to aid residents in all areas of life, including spiritually, temporally, socially and medically. When it comes to on-campus students, we’re the first line of defense.”
Jordan Carranza, a junior from Washington studying biology and a Hale 5 RA, added RAs take the role as a mediator between Housing and residents.
“I have a responsibility to uphold Housing standards and their policies, but I’m just as responsible for communicating resident concerns and distresses of living in these Hales.”
Viliami Fifita, a junior from Tonga studying TESOL and lead Hale 3 RA, said he hopes to encourage other Polynesians to seek leadership areas around campus.
“When I applied to the position, I doubted myself because I was Polynesian, and I didn’t see many Polys on the RA team. I wanted to change that.”
He said having a diverse team brings a new perspective to the table, which leads to better understanding and solutions.
“This is not just me opening doors to Polys, but to encourage anyone to apply to be an RA regardless of background.”
Fifita also emphasized he wants people to know the RAs are not the police. He said the RAs are there to make sure the Hales are a home and a community of confidence and communication for residents.
According to Fifita, qualities that make a good RA are patience, consideration, respect, caring and promoting unity.
However, Carranza warned that being a good RA takes a lot of time. “You want to make sure that you’re not lacking or ignoring any responsibilities. It keeps you busy, and a lot of us could easily go over that 19-hour limit every week.”
Along with opportunities for personal development, the RAs said they receive a housing stipend of 50 percent in addition to flexible hours and a supportive community.
According to the RAs, personal development is an aspect of the job because they are trained in interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, CPR, First Aid, and recognizing the signs of distress in students. RAs also take on personal projects to improve their Hales and sit on planning committees for Housing-sponsored events.
Students interested in working as an RA can contact the Housing Office for applications.