Some Residence Life programs get axed
By: Sarah Bleau
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: Other Stories
Eight years ago, a Residence Adviser at The University of Memphis held a program where a representative spoke from Each One, Teach One, a youth educational mentorship program.
Only one resident attended.
The RA was concerned with her program being unsuccessful.
Eight years later, that one student became the director of Each One, Teach One, recalled Associate Dean of Students Danny Armitage.
But many programs that could inspire a student's ambitions, like the one mentioned, have been cut due to funding.
Money RAs at The University of Memphis use to fund community and academic building programs in the dormitories, a total of $16,000, was cut "due to recent cut backs, due to the state economic status," Armitage said.
The budget cut starts immediately and will continue through the academic year. Programs requiring money that have already been approved for this week will still continue, though.
Previous programs have ranged from movie nights for community building to time management for academic support programs.
This does not mean the end of all programs in the residence halls, but Armitage said RAs will have to think outside of the box.
"There may be the opportunities to do other programs without funding that may work in the residence halls, and we will try to focus on being creative in finding opportunities to do those educational community programs," Armitage said.
He said he does not want RAs to use their own money.
Residents' reviews on the program budget cut are mixed.
"That makes no sense," Rawls Hall resident freshman Laquisha Walters said. "I don't understand what the purpose of cutting [the program budget] is. Why that of all things? I'm sure there's something else that can be cut."
Freshman Rawls Hall resident Amanda Nickelberry isn't so concerned with the budget cut.
"I understand why they're doing it... it's really not a big deal," she said.
Armitage said some universities have Residence Hall Associates work with the Student Activity Council to create programs for residents. He suggested RAs take their residents as a community to a campus activity, such as those SAC puts on or even presidential debate watch parties.
"We're going to have to shift our thinking a little to try to achieve the goals of community development and academic support without this funding," Armitage said.
Money in the Residence Life account might have to be reallocated to help with this budget cut, he said.
Armitage understands that those who work in the dorms will have more of a challenge doing their job without the funding, but said Residence Life will be there to assist them as much as they can.
"Budget cuts are difficult. I do know that it is difficult anytime that a budget has to be cut," Armitage said. "All we have to do is help them work through these processes, and we'll make that happen."
Only one resident attended.
The RA was concerned with her program being unsuccessful.
Eight years later, that one student became the director of Each One, Teach One, recalled Associate Dean of Students Danny Armitage.
But many programs that could inspire a student's ambitions, like the one mentioned, have been cut due to funding.
Money RAs at The University of Memphis use to fund community and academic building programs in the dormitories, a total of $16,000, was cut "due to recent cut backs, due to the state economic status," Armitage said.
The budget cut starts immediately and will continue through the academic year. Programs requiring money that have already been approved for this week will still continue, though.
Previous programs have ranged from movie nights for community building to time management for academic support programs.
This does not mean the end of all programs in the residence halls, but Armitage said RAs will have to think outside of the box.
"There may be the opportunities to do other programs without funding that may work in the residence halls, and we will try to focus on being creative in finding opportunities to do those educational community programs," Armitage said.
He said he does not want RAs to use their own money.
Residents' reviews on the program budget cut are mixed.
"That makes no sense," Rawls Hall resident freshman Laquisha Walters said. "I don't understand what the purpose of cutting [the program budget] is. Why that of all things? I'm sure there's something else that can be cut."
Freshman Rawls Hall resident Amanda Nickelberry isn't so concerned with the budget cut.
"I understand why they're doing it... it's really not a big deal," she said.
Armitage said some universities have Residence Hall Associates work with the Student Activity Council to create programs for residents. He suggested RAs take their residents as a community to a campus activity, such as those SAC puts on or even presidential debate watch parties.
"We're going to have to shift our thinking a little to try to achieve the goals of community development and academic support without this funding," Armitage said.
Money in the Residence Life account might have to be reallocated to help with this budget cut, he said.
Armitage understands that those who work in the dorms will have more of a challenge doing their job without the funding, but said Residence Life will be there to assist them as much as they can.
"Budget cuts are difficult. I do know that it is difficult anytime that a budget has to be cut," Armitage said. "All we have to do is help them work through these processes, and we'll make that happen."