2008 Woodie Awards
Red Shirts and RAs respond to freshmen concerns with embarrassing denial and self-justification
Christina Moran '07 and David Spain '08
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Opinion
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On the day freshmen moved in, everyone was sweating together-RAs, Red Shirts, and the rest of SJU-Haul. We, as upperclassmen, were not there for ourselves. The day was not about our clubs or about our pride. It was about the freshmen and our hopes that they would succeed and thrive at Saint Joseph's.
Somewhere over the course of the last month, that concern appears to have been lost, or at least obscured. In the face of facts demonstrating that some RAs and Red Shirts led their freshmen into dangerous situations, many responded with what we can only call callous selfishness. Rather than asking what they could do to repair the damaged relationships with these freshmen, many Red Shirts and RAs focused on repairing their damaged egos and reputations. As a Red Shirt and an RA, we find this response to be embarrassing.
Together, RAs and Red Shirts represent the face of the University to freshmen throughout their first year. The two organizations share the goal of helping first year students to find their place in the University and their passion for it. While each role comes with added benefits, membership goes beyond that of social clubs and involves a real responsibility to those freshmen that we are appointed to serve.
Red Shirts have the unique privilege of being the first to represent the most exciting parts of the University to incoming students. As Orientation Leaders, it is our job to be loud, to be fun, and to be some of the first friends these students have on campus.
While the position is immensely exciting, it is also incredibly serious. We are the first face of the University, and, like it or not, we continue to be that face even after we take our red shirts off. Freshmen do not cease to recognize us once Orientation ends, and our examples still matter. Furthermore, we do not cease to be their role models, nor should we want to.
RAs pick up right where the official obligations of Red Shirts leave off. From move-in to move-out, freshmen RAs are lucky enough to get to grow with their residents by actually living with them through some of their first college experiences. Yes, we have serious responsibilities, but we also have a lot of fun.
Somewhere over the course of the last month, that concern appears to have been lost, or at least obscured. In the face of facts demonstrating that some RAs and Red Shirts led their freshmen into dangerous situations, many responded with what we can only call callous selfishness. Rather than asking what they could do to repair the damaged relationships with these freshmen, many Red Shirts and RAs focused on repairing their damaged egos and reputations. As a Red Shirt and an RA, we find this response to be embarrassing.
Together, RAs and Red Shirts represent the face of the University to freshmen throughout their first year. The two organizations share the goal of helping first year students to find their place in the University and their passion for it. While each role comes with added benefits, membership goes beyond that of social clubs and involves a real responsibility to those freshmen that we are appointed to serve.
Red Shirts have the unique privilege of being the first to represent the most exciting parts of the University to incoming students. As Orientation Leaders, it is our job to be loud, to be fun, and to be some of the first friends these students have on campus.
While the position is immensely exciting, it is also incredibly serious. We are the first face of the University, and, like it or not, we continue to be that face even after we take our red shirts off. Freshmen do not cease to recognize us once Orientation ends, and our examples still matter. Furthermore, we do not cease to be their role models, nor should we want to.
RAs pick up right where the official obligations of Red Shirts leave off. From move-in to move-out, freshmen RAs are lucky enough to get to grow with their residents by actually living with them through some of their first college experiences. Yes, we have serious responsibilities, but we also have a lot of fun.
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