A group of 20 sophomores and juniors gathered in the Jewett Lounge on Monday, Oct. 5, to learn about becoming Resident Advisors.   A panel of current RAs answered questions and talked about the application process, as well as the benefits and struggles that come with the job.

“Sometimes you feel like it’s a thankless job,” said junior and Jewett 3-West RA Caitlin Moore. “But just knowing that you might make a difference in someone’s life . . . it’s cute.”

Applications for prospective RAs are available until Friday, Oct. 16.

“It’s always an exciting time of year for us,” said Sean Gehrke, the assistant director of the Residence Life and Housing Office.

Gehrke said a lot of interested students have already stopped by the office to pick up an application or sign up to receive more information about the application process.

“The recession is kind of the wild card factor this year,” he said.

According to Jewett Resident Director (RD) Justin Daigneault, many other small colleges are seeing a rising number of applicants for RA positions, since RAs receive free room and board. Gehrke said it’s too early to tell if this year’s applicant pool will be larger than last year’s.

The applicants are excited about the possibility of becoming an RA, regardless of financial considerations.

“I had two really awesome RAs when I was a freshman,” said sophomore applicant Paul Kruss. “I want to be able to give everyone else that sort of experience and be part of it again.”

As a first-year, Kruss lived in E section of Lyman, affectionately known, along with D section of Lyman, as the Tower. Kruss notes that his RAs did a wonderful job of connecting with the residents.

“Pretty much everyone [who lived last year in] the Tower is applying to be an RA,” he said.

Sophomore Chrissy Delicata, also a former Tower resident, agrees that being an RA would be a good opportunity to connect with first-years.

“You get to be a liaison into a new environment for them,” she said. “I think that would be really rewarding.”

Current RAs and RDs are involved in the selection process and conduct preliminary interviews with applicants.

“We’re looking for leadership skills,” said senior Justin Daigneault. He also stressed the importance of being able to relate to students from a variety of backgrounds.

“[RAs should be] open to diversity, appreciating, recognizing and celebrating the different places people are coming from,” he said.

Senior Daichi Hirata, now serving his second year as an RA, remembers his own application process.

“I was really scared,” he said. “I wasn’t really sure if I would be a great RA, but I had a feeling that I really wanted to be one, even if I didn’t have a clear conception of what that would be like for me.”

He stresses that the applicant’s ability to offer residents their skills is not the only consideration for potential RAs. What the potential RA would learn is also important.

“I really look for people [where] it’s equally valuable for them,” he said. “Through that process, residents can grow as well, seeing the RA grow with them.”

Veteran RAs agree that the experience has been an integral part of their time at Whitman.

“They always say, ‘Once an RA, always an RA,'” said Daigneault. “It was a great experience. It made me who I am today.”