The recent public debates over difficulties in the Office of Residential Life and Learning (ORLL) have raised concerns for many of members of the Tufts professional and administrative staff. We would like to share a few of our thoughts.
Everyone, at times, has complaints about ORLL. This is not new. The very nature of the office's responsibilities means that individuals might be unhappy with their housing, roommate assignments, waiting lists, or other situations. These difficulties, and many more, are what ORLL encounters when trying to house 4000 students every year.
Furthermore, each of us has had personal grievances with our employers and sometimes with employees. A seminal question is how do leaders and representatives of the University effectively contribute to change and negotiate conflict? Character assassinations of particular individuals, namely Director Yolanda King, seem to be the currency of the recent assessments of ORLL, as opposed to an attempt to effect change.
Additionally, it has become increasingly clear that student leaders (e.g. RAs) have difficulty separating their roles as students from their roles as leaders. Residential Assistants (RAs), as members of the ORLL staff, are not simply students; they are also charged with certain responsibilities to ensure the safety and welfare of all members of our community. To this end, the most recent statements in the Tufts Observer that RAs are not being allowed simply to be "primarily students" seems to neglect the conditions of a campus community where difficulties must be negotiated. For example, we work with students in all areas of student life, and while we promote education and awareness around alcohol issues, for example, we also know that consistent policies across the campus are needed to ensure that under-age students are not drinking and those of age drink responsibly. This is not an arbitrary policy, but rather a measure to make certain that we comply with the law and promote responsible behavior with regards to the use of alcohol. In other words, we as members of the Dean of Students (DOS) staff attempt to provide the best services possible, disseminate information, respect the privacy of students and also follow state and federal guidelines.
In the on-going discussion of ORLL, some RAs have vacillated between the role of employee AND the role of student. They go back and forth between being upset about changes in their job description as employees and the belief that as students they have a right to complain about ORLL. There are channels for RAs to discuss their concerns. The students in question not only chose to bypass these systems, but seem to believe that they have a right to be RAs and not adhere to the responsibilities of being RAs.
It is important to remember that all employees who do not like their jobs have the option of talking with supervisors, friends and colleagues to get advice on how to make things work or of resigning. One can try to resolve conflict with open dialogue. When doing this, one may have to look at one's own behavior or expectations and consult with others rather than trying to get one's way by publicly embarrassing or degrading individuals.
It was stated by some RAs that ORLL used to operate like a "family" ("RAs speak out against Residential Life" April 21). Our response is that ORLL is not a "family"; it is an administrative office with designated responsibilities that directly impact the safety and welfare of students. In the same article, some RAs also compared Director King to the previous person in her position who "was like a mother." This comparison does not discredit Director King; in fact it serves as a testament to the level of professionalism put in place by her. The fact that employees have moved on since Director King came is completely expected. We have all had to restructure particular aspects of our offices, and turnover is a result. We as members of the DOS staff were hired with mandates, and we often follow through with changes that are needed to serve all members of our community. We participate in public forums and on-going debates. We are often willing to meet with students to assess and explain issues, but this does not always mean that we will or are at liberty to amend our mandates to accommodate select individuals.
We applaud Director King for her dignity under duress and for her ability to attempt to effectively bring consistency to a program that has lacked a cohesive structure. Despite unrelenting attacks, she has not lowered herself to the level of some of her employees. She has maintained an ethical and professional demeanor throughout this process and has not "leaked" information to the press or attempted to malign anyone's character.
We are colleagues of Director King and we have not found her (as she was described by an RA in the April 21 article) to be hostile, "militant," or angry; nor have we noticed that she has a "huge temper." We have found that she takes leadership roles, is firm, and is willing to talk through many of the negotiations and difficulties that we, employees of the University, encounter on a daily basis.
Director King had the unfortunate assignment of taking over an office that had interim leadership for almost three years, and she was asked to make many changes in ORLL by the University. Apparently, some of her employees did not like those changes. That is fair, and we encourage open dialogue about these matters rather than character assassination. We hope that other members of the ORLL staff will understand that we write this letter not only in support of our colleague, but to highlight that we as members of the Tufts community seek to educate and to support leadership at all levels that will negotiate difficulties with accountability and professionalism.
Margot Abels, Director, Alcohol and Drug Prevention ProgramsPeggy Barrett, Director, Women's Center
Michelle Bowdler, Director, Health Service
Veronica Carter, Judicial Affairs Officer
Lisa Coleman, Director, Africana Center
Jane Etish-Andrews, Director, International Center
Jodie Nealley, Director, Student Activities Office
Marisel Perez, Associate Dean of Students
Ruben Salinas Stern, Director, Latino Center
Jonathan Slavin, Director, Counseling Center
Todd Sullivan, Director, Fraternity and Sorority Affairs
Dona Yarbrough, Director, LGBT Center
Linell Yugawa, Director, Asian American Center
