Written by: Questen Inghram Follow our live updates here. In the early morning hours of Friday, May 19, resident advisers received an email from Leonard Jones, director of University Residences, stating that he and other administrators will no longer be meeting with RAs about their demands. According to the Help WWU RAs Facebook page, the email was sent at 1:06 a.m., approximately six hours before their weekly meeting, scheduled for 7:30 a.m. This came after an announcement on the Help WWU RAs Facebook page that some RAs would be holding a sit-in Monday, May 22, to demand that administrators make more commitments to address their concerns and to stop what the RAs perceive as the university stalling on implementing changes. The sit-in will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the University Residence offices in Edens Hall 101. Eighty-five people said they will be attending as of Sunday, May 21, according to the Facebook event page.
Meetings
RA representatives from each residential community, two at-large RA representatives and AS board members have been meeting with Jones and Eileen Coughlin, vice president for enrollment and student services. The meetings were held Friday mornings, and so far have discussed issues regarding compensation and training. They planned to discuss RA duties at the May 19 meeting. “I feel that the collaborative work of our RA Working Group has concluded. Thus, I respectfully inform you that Vice President Coughlin and I will not be attending any further RA Group meetings. I look forward to continuing to work with you to provide high quality campus residential experience for our students,” Jones’ email said. The email also detailed commitments and changes made by University Residences:- RA and Community Adviser (who are responsible for Birnam Wood) stipends will increase from $731 to $2,760, including compensation for training
- Pre-fall quarter training will be reduced from 10-hour days to Eight-hour days
- The Director of University Residences hopes to enhance open communication and with RAs and CAs
- Inclusion of RAs in the interview process of relevant administrative positions
- Expansion RAs’ training on Title IX victimization and handling incident reports
