This is what was presented to us by central staff:
Purpose of the RA council:
-To provide RA's with a venue to express both immediate and continuous concerns relative to their position – examples of this include their role on the Residential Life Staff, Hall Communities, and RA Culture.
-Together ideas and opinions on topics or issues that Central Staff has determined “need” RA’s input.
-To generate a tangible and identifiable collective-voice without making invisible or making expendable individual perspectives.
Intended Outcomes of the RA council:
-RA's will be able to gain a better understanding of their role within Central Staff and Residential Life.
-RA's will be able to identify concrete ways that their role within Central Staff and Residential Life exists.
-RA's will be able to experience being key players in particular decisions that affect their position and/or the greater Residential Life department
This is what we have come up with as of 11/4/10:
Notes from RA Council Brainstorm Session
1) All RAs present were approved the proposed Purpose and Intended Outcomes.
*Amendment made to the Purpose for the first part to ensure that the RA Council is a venue for RAs to discuss issues and pertinent information relative to their position and relevant to the residential experience at Champlain College.
-Review of the history of the Senior Resident Assistant position and how RA’s have been represented at different levels in Central Staff historically.
- Review of the proposed purposes and the outcomes of the RA council, review from handout
-There was a general consensus that the proposed format was solid and that it provides a forum for concern, satisfied.
-Clarification was given concerning what the RA’s would be discussing and how that feedback would get to central staff about what needs to be changed to make the best decisions
-Questions were raised asking if the council would provide feedback for RA’s only or also a voice for residents in general, not previously thought of. It was decided that any issues affecting Residential students should be addressed at this forum.
2) Council Membership - Appointed/Voluntary verses Selection/Elected
*We discussed the creation of the council. There were mixed feelings - from elected to appointed; 1 representative to 2 representatives per area (one "voting" position), or representatives determined by area population; yearly or per semester position (an area decision)
*We briefly discussed the Council Meetings and it was recommended that the council carve out time for residents to participate in RA Council Meetings. One of the reasons for this was to gain the voice of the residents (empower the students) and the other driving reason involves the difficulty of accurately representing "all" opinions.
*We discussed the AD Advisor's role in the meeting. It was decided that the AD would not participate in the meeting unless their presence was requested.
*We discussed the liaison position (a leading RA that is present during Central Staff Meetings and is neutral on issues). It was proposed to have this position be selected by both Central Staff and RA Council through an application process. Central Staff would select three applicants that they approve and submit those to the RA Council, which then selects their liaison.
3) SGA and RA Council - It was asked, "what is the possibility of the RA Council in Senate?" This sparked a brief conversation about the RA Council having a role in the senate; representative in SGA. It was determined that this is a future goal.
Suggested that there be some sort of bridge between SGA and the RA council and the greater Champlain community, possibly a liaison position between the two
- There was a fair bit of suggestions that there should be 2 representatives from each area, with follow up that even if you weren’t on the council, involvement is encouraged
- Elected officers were asked for, within area
- Some sort of checks/balances were asked for
-Liaison position by the year and officers by the semester was proposed, no term limit
-Liaison member would be selected through a hybrid of CS and RA council. Some sort of nomination and confirmation process.
-Concerns were voiced that there was demand for a higher level position and compensation. Dedication to the position is thought to be directly tied to these things.
