Resident Assistants have one of the most difficult jobs on campus and are highly compensated as a result. While all current RA’s have their room and board paid, as well as a $175 stipend, new RA’s will receive a room waiver and a $500 stipend, but will no longer have their meal plans covered.

“Everyone is doing their part to help the University financially,” Director of Residence Life Cat Geletka said. “This was a way to help without having to take something away from someone.”

The move was not announced until after interviews were conducted with potential RA’s, but the change did not discourage candidates from accepting the position, according to Geletka. 

The candidates found out about the change while being offered the position. 

“They told us ‘this is what’s going on’ and then tell us if you accept or decline,” freshman Kouri Weber said. 

For her, the change in compensation was not a big deal.

“I think, for most RA’s, we don’t go into it for the compensation,” she said, “We go into it because we want to make an impact. We want to make a difference, help people, change people.”

Senior RA Victorialyn Keay had a similar story of why she applied to be an RA. However, the compensation was still a secondary factor for her.

“I pay my tuition almost purely from loans that I will pay back later,” she said, “so I try to make it a focus to do as many things at the University to be able to continue going to a school like Ashland.”

Geletka said this was a difficult decision, but a necessary one to help the entire University. The move is not uncommon among schools comparable to Ashland.

“We compared AU’s offered compensation to the compensations of 28 institutions we consider benchmarks,” she said. “What we found was that room and a stipend are standard, but board is a dying trend.”

Keay is optimistic the move will not affect the quality of the Residence Life staff.

“Someone who is going into the position for purely financial reasons is going into it for the wrong reasons,” she said, “I think by limiting that compensation, even though its not intentional, will make people who want to apply purely for financial reasons think twice about applying.”

Geletka’s biggest concern is a morale hit across the staff. 

“My greatest fear when a cut like this occurs is that people will question their value,” she said. “I want to make sure that there are no doubts about how we feel about our team. RAs have people coming to them at their most afraid, most embarrassing, most vulnerable moments…Bottom-line – they don’t let people drown. For RAs reading this article: I love your style. Thank you for how you are. More awesome.”

Keay echoed the sentiment.

“I think its unfortunate that it has to happen because of the University’s current budget situation,” she said, “but I think with the amazing staff we have in the Res Life office the quality of the RA’s will not be affected.”