The Secret Crisis Affecting College RAs

Lately, some RAs across the country have reached their boiling point, because they feel they aren’t given the resources to prioritize school, the RA role, or other paid work—which is a necessity for many RAs, as the job itself is often only compensated by way of housing and a meal plan. At NYU, Darrion explained, what the handbook outlines—that outside work be discussed with a supervisor who can assist in offering support—is something raised in conversations with the residence hall assistant directors. But there isn’t any defined criteria for support, Darrion said (though flexibility on deadlines was one example they noted). Working multiple jobs, they said, detracts from the time an RA actually has to give to their community or focus on school. “Many of us seek second or third jobs on or off campus to meet our needs,” wrote members of SWAN in the April 2024 public petition requesting voluntary recognition of their union.