Blood Drive!

This isn't really related to being an RA...

I donated blood on Monday.  This isn't anything particularly new for me because I'm a fairly frequent donor, but I got a Facebook message today saying that they received 250 pints of blood from donors in the last two days!

Were you one of the people who gave blood this week?  Have you ever given blood?  If you haven't, do you think you would ever consider donating?

Juggling is on!!!

Come out to the Stewart Quad on Saturday at 1pm to learn how to juggle!!!

Jugglers Society will come teach us how to juggle.

Juggling more than just a busy schedule

I've had an idea for a program that I was waiting until springtime for.  Now that it's April, I thought it might be time to start planning for it (even though a recent snowstorm has made it seem more like the start of winter than the start of spring).

My friend Megan is on the Jugglers' Society, and I have emailed her asking if the Jugglers' Society would like to come teach residents how to juggle.  Personally, I've wanted to learn how to juggle for a long time, so it sounds like a lot of fun.  Ideally, the program will happen on a Saturday afternoon so that we can be outside on the Stewart quad.  Right now, I'd like to set it for April 16th if it works out well for our guest jugglers.

On top of this, I'm trying to think of a good program for this Friday night.  We'll see what I can come up with in the next two days...

Did you say "tobacco-free campus?"

UMaine has recently converted to a tobacco-free campus.  Right now, the initiative is not compulsory, but students are being encouraged to quit smoking now before the initiative starts to be strictly enforced.  Before this tobacco in the residence halls was already not allowed, so that hasn't really changed much.  However, it appears that some of the residents in Cumberland don't seem to get the message.  

Last Tuesday I came across a group of guys playing poker in the lounge.  Figuring they weren't really doing anything wrong, I didn't bother to check in on them.  

My mistake.

It was later brought to my attention that these particular residents were not only playing poker, but chewing tobacco as well.  How did I find this out?  One of my residents came to inform me that they left their spit bottles in the lounge with tobacco juice in there.  Now, UMaine isn't simply "smoke-free;" it's tobacco-free, which includes dipping.  

The issue I have with it is not related to the tobacco-free initiative.  I am having trouble understanding why these particular residents left their spit bottles lying around, especially in a study lounge that they don't usually utilize.

So what does an RA do in this situation?  I'm thinking I'll start by making up posters to hang in the study lounges, explaining why chewing tobacco in public areas is not allowed.  If the problem persists, I think we'll have to crack down harder on these dippers.

Next semester, you'll find me in...

BCEP!  I found out today that I will be in the Balentine, Colvin, Estabrooke, Penobscot complex as an RA.  If I had the option to choose, this would have been my first choice.  As much as I have grown to love and appreciate Cumberland Hall and the GC^2 complex as a whole, I lived in BCEP for my first two years at UMaine and it just feels like home there.  I will not know which building in particular I will be placed in until around the beginning of summer break, but I'm still really excited.
Finding out my next assignment makes me realize that the school year is almost over.  It's bittersweet, since there are so many things I love about being in Orono and having such terrific residents.  Yet at the same time it's quite exciting to know that warm weather and a break from classes are coming up!  Well, kind of... I personally am taking a summer course online, so it won't exactly be fun and games for me all summer long.
Another thing that hit me was that I'm going to be a SENIOR next year.  Holy. Cow.  For those of you who are currently in your first year of college, bear in mind that your time here will fly before your very eyes!  Enjoy every minute, and try to get the most out of your college experience as you can!

Welcome back!

Everyone's back from Spring Break!  Time to get back to work!  Though coming back to schoolwork, bulletin-board-making and door-dec-making doesn't sound like much fun, I'm very glad to be back.  The last week of Spring Break included a whole lot of sitting around and doing nothing, so it's nice to actually be a bit more busy.
Upon returning, I discovered that I was a receiver of a bulletin board made by Mike Maberry, one of the GC^2 ACCs.  Therefore, my wing now has a new bulletin board entitled "How To Make The Perfect Mix Tape."  Though many people generally make mix CDs today, the board is interesting to read and helpful when you're trying to figure out which songs would make the perfect mix for a friend, or even for yourself!  So thank you Mike for helping to make my wing look awesome!
Additionally, let's not forget that St. Patrick's Day is coming up!  My floor should expect a board about the history of Saint Patrick and why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  I've also started making new door decs with a St. Patrick's Day theme!  Pictures to come!!!

Putting Out Fires

This is probably the craziest thing that has ever happened to me while on RA duty.  When it comes to residents who are unable to get along with their roommates or other members of the floor, RAs are required to help extinguish these fires.  But would you ever expect an RA to have to put out a real flame?  

As many of you know, RAs walk up and down the hallways in the dorms a few times every night making sure there's nothing dangerous going down.  One thing that is fairly popular, particularly among first year students, is setting fire to bulletin boards.  For some reason, people think it's okay to light fires in buildings.

While on rounds in my building, I was coming down one of the hallways when I caught sight of and smelled smoke.  When I came around the corner, a piece of paper on a bulletin board was burning.  I'm not talking about a full-fledged inferno; the paper was just smoldering.  Regardless, it was very scary.  I quickly removed the paper, and brought it to the bathroom where I ran the paper under cold water.

My question is, why do people show so much disrespect for others' work?

Drama at Financial Aid

Now, I'm sure many people have had to tango with the Financial Aid department at one point or another in college.  Many come out completely stressed and upset because, well, tuition payments are a big deal and Financial Aid can get pretty nasty.  However, this particular story is most tragic.  It occurred yesterday, when I went to Wingate Hall to figure out why my late fee was still on my account.  Supposedly, it had been waived because it was a matter of UMaine waiting on one of my scholarships.  Luckily, my story had a happy ending.  I can't say the same for the guy ahead of me.

As I'm walking to Wingate, I see the aforementioned guy walk through the door.  My initial thought was that I'd have to wait my turn like I usually do.  Wingate's generally a pretty busy place.  But no... I walked through the door and the guy I saw earlier was already being waited on by the girl at the counter.  I came in just in time to hear him thanking the girl for already helping him with his financial aid.
"Oh, that's so nice of you!  What's your name?" she asked.
The two shook hands.  Then Financial-Aid-girl says, "I'm really sorry, but I have a boyfriend."
What?!  Talk about an uncomfortable situation!  I didn't hear this poor guy ask Financial-Aid-girl out, but the look of heartbreak was on his face as he left Wingate Hall.  Meanwhile, Financial-Aid-girl has a huge grin on her face, giggling about how "awkward" that was.

So if you ever have to deal with Financial Aid, here's the moral of the story: Don't fall for the Financial Aid workers.  They're specifically trained to break hearts, regardless of whether they're taking your money or turning you down for a date.

A weekend of RA craziness!

Well, it's officially February!  Which means it's almost Valentine's Day!  Or Singles Awareness Month, depending on how you look at it.  The past weekend was super busy for this RA!  Duty Friday and Saturday nights, two bulletin boards made and put up, and a Making Valentines/Watching "Dirty Dancing" program with fellow RA Christine and a bunch of really awesome residents!  Saturday night was filled with decoupage, red and pink construction paper, and a whole lot of Patrick Swayze.  I guess it was a good thing the group consisted mostly of ladies!

I'm also particularly proud of one of my bulletin boards entitled "Booze News," which is about the myths you've often heard regarding drinking in college.  If you're ever hanging around the fourth floor of Cumberland Hall, check it out!

An All RA Floor?

What would happen if ResLife put all the RAs on the same floor?
Check out the link below.

College Humor - All RA Floor

Campus living

If you've ever lived on campus, what did you like about it?  How has it impacted your college experience? What is something that you wish your RA did with you?

Why I love UMaine!

As many potential college students do in high school, I had to apply to UMaine as my safety school.  It was by no means my first choice.  In fact, it was pretty close to my last choice.  However it was lucky I applied at all because it was one of the three out of eight schools that accepted me.  And thus, here I am!

I became very involved on campus throughout my time at UMaine.  I'm now an RA, a lifeguard at the Rec Center, an editor for Doulos Magazine, and a member of the Honors College.  I realized that even though I thought I wanted a small campus when I was in high school, this big campus feels like a perfect fit.  Now I can't picture myself anywhere else.

This blog is primarily going to be about the excitement that comes with being an RA.  I'll post different activities and interesting things about my experience in this job.  If you're an RA yourself, or if you have some suggestions for fun activities that residents living on campus would enjoy, feel free to share!  I'd love to hear what you have to say!