Michelle Singer
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The concept of a program assistant on residence hall floors is
an excellent one. But as with many other good ideas, incoming
freshmen should know it does not live up to its expectations.
The hypothetical PA creates bulletin boards (both decorative and
informative), puts together floor activities, and either conducts
or participates in floor meetings. The PA is viewed as second in
command to the resident assistant and is, therefore, an authority
figure.
The reality of the situation is somewhat different though. Life
under a PA is not all fun and games. At the beginning of the year,
when new students want to feel a connection with other people,
large group activities do little to further any sort of meaningful
communication.
Although big groups can be great to begin interaction, the
one-on-one conversations that help students form lasting
friendships are inhibited by the constant flow of programs one is
pressured into attending.
Personal bonding, therefore, comes at a later date than it would
without the PA’s meddlesome programs. Furthermore, people
find an outlet in these programs and feel connected and included,
so they may not pursue individual relationships to their full
extent because of the fake sense of fulfillment they are getting
from floor programs. This is not to say the programs are not fun,
but they may hinder the formation of important friendships for
longer than necessary.
The bulletin boards the PA puts up are designed to create a
colorful, fun environment as well as to spark conversation.
Overall, the concept of a PA is encouraging ““ who
wouldn’t want a friendly student to plan social events and
make the dorm atmosphere more positive?
Another downside to PAs is the self-righteous attitudes stemming
from their higher place in the housing hierarchy than the regular
resident. The dorm caste system causes some students to feel forced
to attend programs that are not mandatory and may conflict with
other more important activities. However, because the resident must
live in the halls and deal with the PA on a daily basis, he feels
coerced into attending. This not only leads to an unhappy resident
but also drags down the program because many participants would
rather not be present.
As the year goes on, the PA is needed less. Yes, the bulletin
boards continue to decorate the atmosphere, but the real reason the
hall has begun to feel like a home is the friendships that have
been formed. People become capable of creating their own fun and
are in much less need of a PA to bring together the floor and
provide entertainment. To some the programs are still a source of
fun and good times, but for others, both the programs and the PA
have simultaneously lost their value. This is not entirely the
fault of the PA ““ housing deserves some of the fault for
requiring a certain number of programs to be held in all quarters
and does not lessen this requirement as the year progresses. This
could be rectified by a change in the rules, allowing for more
flexibility and calling for the judgment of the individual PA as to
whether or not holding another program is appropriate.
As with all positions, people who become PAs will be disliked by
some and loved by others, and with this comes a desire to make as
many people as possible happy. But this should clue PAs into the
fact that they should not hassle those who do not want to
participate, or make them feel obligated to attend programs which
they would rather not attend.