U Maryland hires live-in "snoops"

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by CarolinaCutie
A housemother is an adult, not a student, and is employed by your organization. To me, it's totally different.

So are you saying that an upper classperson or grad student isn't an adult?

Actually, I understand you point and agree with it.

However, I think that this is an underlying and not often discussed mindset that is a susbstantial piece of the puzzle of not only Risk Management, but of Greek Life/University relations on the whole.

When I was in college, I was in transition. I wanted to be treated as an adult, but still party every night until dawn. To make matters worse, I thought I had a whole lot more experience in life than I actually did.

I only wanted to take responsibility when it worked in my favor.

As I've advised chapters and taught courses at the college level, it is remarkable how much "older" seniors are than freshmen. Obviously, I mean mentally as oppossed to chronologically. There is a lot of maturing going on over those four or five years.

It sounds like, to some extent, these folks are little more than RA's -- and my experience, and that of my two children who went to or are attending college -- is that an RA is a fellow student who probably wants to fit in and isn't likely to cause any grief unless it really is absolutely necessary. It's a form of peer pressure. The one semester I lived in a dorm, I saw the RA at the beginning of the year -- and literally never again.

In the end, it comes down to this. If the chapter is being a good citizen, having one of the folks in the house shouldn't be a problem. If the chapter isn't and has something to hide, that's different.

[33girl]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
The one semester I lived in a dorm, I saw the RA at the beginning of the year -- and literally never again.

LOL, you sure had different RAs than I did. We had one we referred to as "Rambo" for her propensity to think the dorm was an Army barracks and should be run the same way.

The article doesn't say, but do the groups have any approval over who is placed with them? If not, what's to stop someone with an anti-Greek agenda from getting one of these assistantships and really making things miserable for the GLO?

[PsychTau2]

according to this they won't be "random" students...they will be selected and trained by the Greek Life Office (and be staff members of that office).

TITLE: GRADUATE ASSISTANT, 12 MONTHS
POSITION: STUDENT AFFAIRS RESIDENTIAL FELLOW
RESPONSIBILITIES: The Greek Life Student Affairs Residential Fellow will work as a live-in advisor in a fraternity or sorority chapter
house on Fraternity Row or the Graham Cracker, as well as perform other duties as assigned within the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life by
the Director of Greek Facilities. Student Affairs Residential Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in a monthly roundtable discussion
with senior level Student Affairs staff members. S/he will live in a chapter house on Fraternity Row or the Graham Cracker and will assist in
providing house management and advising services to a resident population of approximately 33 students. The Student Affairs Residential
Fellow is a graduate staff member for the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. This Graduate Assistant receives direct supervision and training
from the Director of Greek Facilities. This position requires strong administrative, organizational, communication and leadership skills. In
addition, the successful GA will demonstrate flexibility, adaptability and will be able to function within a collaborative team environment. The
GA must maintain a positive attitude and represent the University and the Department appropriately. Specific areas of involvement include:
• Assist in providing a positive developmental living experience for house residents and chapter members
• Develop and implement programs which respond to the specific needs of the chapter
• Develop and maintain good interpersonal relationships with residents
• Serve as a referral agent for University and community services
• Complete written reports, attend scheduled meetings, and perform other duties as assigned by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and
the chapter House Corporation
• Assist in the organization and implementation of Fall and Spring check-in and check-out processes and closings at Thanksgiving, Semester
Recess, and Spring Recess
• Assist in student damage assessment and billing
• Complete administrative tasks such as coordination of room rosters and unit inspections
• Maintain effective working relationships with House Corporation and Chapter Officers
• Assist in coordinating house management, including kitchen operation, security and safety procedures, and reporting maintenance problems
• Promote compliance with the policies, rules and regulations, as stated and implied by the University, the general fraternity, the House
Corporation and undergraduate chapter
• Issue keys and maintain key records
• Manage allocated operation budget, if assigned
• Supervise all house personnel (cooks, caterers, cleaning service, etc.) and contract service (housekeeping, grounds, etc.) and ensure that all
contracted services are performed as agreed
• Additional responsibilities may also be provided by the House Corporation
• Assist the Director of Greek Facilities with facilities projects
• Help students understand their responsibilities, as adults, to know and obey laws
• Serve as a liaison between the House Corporation and the chapter members
• Assist the housing corporation and chapter in developing long term goals regarding facilities, operations and membership
• Meet with executive board members and the house manager routinely to assist in setting goals and objectives
• Other duties as assigned
This position requires a commitment of approximately 20 hours per week, including some evening and weekend hours. Additional hours may
occasionally be required to perform all job responsibilities. This is a 12-month, live-in position.
QUALIFICATIONS: Must be enrolled as a full-time (10 or more credit hours / semester) graduate student at the University of Maryland.
SALARY: 10 hours of tuition credit per semester with additional stipend dependent upon graduate student status. Housing
includes unfurnished two-room suite with full bath. Gas, electric, water, and telephone are included. Meals are
negotiable.
APPOINTMENT: August 2004 to July 2005

PsychTau

[Little E]

It seems like it is a lot like an RA or a Hall director...in this world I think it could help groupsn by having that person there (granted they have to be some sort of civil)

[Lady Pi Phi]

I agree with CC.

I wouldn't want a non-member trying to implement a program for my chapter who knows nothing about my organization.

My organization and I'm sure all others, already have specific programs that chapters are required to participate in. Also, any function, activity, etc. for my chapter has to at least be approved by our AAC.

I personally don't think any of the other duties that the SARF would be required to perform are unreasonable, it's just the one about programming that bothers me.

[33girl]

Originally posted by PsychTau2

• Develop and implement programs which respond to the specific needs of the chapter
• Promote compliance with the policies, rules and regulations, as stated and implied by the University, the general fraternity, the House Corporation and undergraduate chapter
• Serve as a liaison between the House Corporation and the chapter members
• Assist the housing corporation and chapter in developing long term goals regarding facilities, operations and membership
• Meet with executive board members and the house manager routinely to assist in setting goals and objectives

There is NO WAY these activities (for some of them, I'm specifically referring to the ones that are underlined) should be performed by a nonmember. Why in the hell do collegiate sisters and alumnae sisters (which is who the House Corp is made up of) need a non-member as a liason??

I know that there are chapters that have nonmembers as advisors - but that was by the choice of the chapter. Those people have been thoroughly vetted and approved by the national organization and are given training as to how that specific org works.

If they want to have SARFs there as a house mom or RA type of person, fine, but I'll be damned if someone who is not a member of my org is going to tell me what my long term membership goals are.

[Lady Pi Phi]

I didn't even see that part about membership, but I agree with you 33girl 100%.

[AGDee]

Apparently the University does own the houses, according to their web site, so I guess having an RA type person to do all the management of the house is ok. I'm not familiar with any chapters who have this type of arrangement, so it's not clear to me how they work. If the sorority/fraternity are paying directly for a service though, then our own people need to look at and review contracts before we sign them. We have systems in place for a lot of these things, like room rosters (I assume they mean room assignments?). Are the groups already paying Resident Supervisors to do most of this stuff and they will be out of jobs? I have a lot of questions about a lot of their job duties and would need answers to them before coming to a final opinion on this whole thing, BUT, I can definitely say that I agree that they should have no part in the things that 33girl highlighted.

[CarolinaCutie]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
In the end, it comes down to this. If the chapter is being a good citizen, having one of the folks in the house shouldn't be a problem. If the chapter isn't and has something to hide, that's different.

I do agree with this, but...

But after reading the extensive list of the duties this SARF would be responsible for, I am still left wondering why a member could not serve all of these functions? At my school, both the fraternities and sororities live in on-campus dorms. Each hall has a Housing Manager, who is both an elected officer in the chapter and a paid employee of UNCG. They serve in the same capacity as an RA, but are members of our respective organizations. I really feel like having a member serve in this capacity increases our autonomy and recognizes the special needs of Greek housing.

I understand that houses, instead of dorms, may require more management. But what purposes are the House Directors not fulfilling that these SARFs will? I'm guessing it's the "policing" aspect of the job- and that just doesn't seem appropriate.

[PhoenixAzul]

My concern would be these people seeing/hearing ritual or secret information. What if these people want to have friends over on a night when you're having an important ritual? That's letting nonmembers into the house and potentially exposing ritual information. That's not to say that these SARFS would go spreading it around, but that information is priviledged to membership only.

[mikeleven23]

I went to Maryland and trust me they have been trying hard to get rid of the Greek system for quite some time. SARFS or no SARFs they wont take us down!

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by PhoenixAzul
My concern would be these people seeing/hearing ritual or secret information.

You have to deal with it the same way groups do that have a house mother. Somewhere secure in the building.

[dznat187]

I actually think the SARF things is a great idea.
I was an RA in an all freshman dorm and i was definately not a peer trying to fit in but was also not a 'rambo. its about keeping the residents safe.
as far as programming goes-just because someone doesn't know my group doesn't mean they don't ahve any valid ideas. nothing ever said the GLO had to do whatever programming idea teh SARF suggested. Its just that, a suggestion. and honestly from what I've seen, most GLOs need help with programming. Having someone help them with suggestions will 1) make them more productive, 2) help give alternatives to hazing through positive programming suggestions and 3) keep chapters from doing the same stuff all the time and becomign monotnous for the members.
as far as ritual goes, the SARF doesn't ahve to be int eh room while its going on. They can be notified as to when it will be and they are asked to not be int eh house or stay int ehir room. If they is hazing going on with people int eh basement or something they should take care of that, but they will understand the sacredness of ritual.
for what i see, the people who take these types of positions are 1) in a higher ed grad program or 2) where in a GLO in undergrad. they understand the importance of secrets and aren't going to take the group down. that is overreacting. i see these people who are so adamently against this as being so for a reason-ie they don't want to get caught doing something they shouldnt or they don't want to feel like they are being babysat. but honestly, while we still have hazing deaths, alcohol deaths and fires and stuff caused by stupidity, i think we need people regulating and watching out for greeks. i don't want any greeks to die or whatever and if the SARFs can prevent even 1 person from dying or chapter from closing, they are worht it. also, it keeps parents from worrying so much about there kids if their is a university-trained person lookign out for their kids.
also, i feel a member of the housed org would not be the best choice for that house's SARF-type employee. what if the chapter did all sorts of stuff but the SARF didn't want to turn in their chapter or they didn't see it as wrong, they could just go on covering stuff up as greeks have for years.

[luvtoscrap]

just my two cents:

Unless their is excessive drinking, a situation of hazing, or attending university meetings on risk management and filling out reports on the number of events to the university-the grad student RA would most likely be out of the picture. Why? Because depending upon their course load-they will be too busy with their own coursework. Not to mention they do have their own social life and obligations. Alot of assistantships not within their own department are viewed as a part-time job and a means to pay for grad school.

[33girl]

Originally posted by dznat187
as far as programming goes-just because someone doesn't know my group doesn't mean they don't ahve any valid ideas. nothing ever said the GLO had to do whatever programming idea teh SARF suggested. Its just that, a suggestion. and honestly from what I've seen, most GLOs need help with programming. Having someone help them with suggestions will 1) make them more productive, 2) help give alternatives to hazing through positive programming suggestions and 3) keep chapters from doing the same stuff all the time and becomign monotnous for the members.

Do you feel it's a good idea for a nonmember to tell you what your long term membership goals should be?

It has nothing to do with babysitting, it has to do with someone knowing what the needs of that org are. And the description DOES say "develop and implement programs."