September 2015

Fall 2015: This board gives a more in-depth definition of “consent” and provides information on Virginia Techs Title 9 policy

Most people only think of females athletes when they hear the words “Title IX,” but the amendment actually encompasses situations of sexual equality. All Virginia Tech RA’s are required to attend a Title IX and Violence Against Women workshop in order to better support our residents, but I learned so many things about the concept of consent that I felt were important for my residents to understand. The board talks about consent in an unthreatening manner, and draws people in with a popular pop song reference. It also provides readers with information on various resources around campus that are available to people who have experienced sexual assault.

October 2015

Fall 2015: This bulletin board was made in order to prompt residents to learn more about cultural appropriation–especially in the context of their Halloween costume choices

People are exposed to a number of different ideas upon arriving at their university, and one such idea that I wanted to communicate to my residents was the idea of cultural appropriation, or the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of another culture. I found a number of inappropriately and offensively named costumes being sold on the internet (Sexy Pow Wow Indian, Get Leid Hula Girl) and used the shock stemming from the recreated paper dolls to direct them to a number of questions and facts about what cultural appropriation encompasses. I was inspired to make it after seeing a campaign concerning the same topic by students at Ohio University.

November 2015

Fall 2015: This board was made to encourage residents to question the people they’ve become in the last semester

After dealing with such heavy topics in the first two months of the semester, I decided to incorporate some moments of reflection into the month of November. I used a popular song reference again to catch my residents’ eyes, and encouraged them to think through a number of questions and quotes around the hall. My goal was to have them look at the person they may have become over the course of the semester, and question whether they were changing for good or bad.

December 2015

Winter 2015: This bulletin board is equipped with tips on how to de-stress properly during finals week

I live in a Freshman hall, and this semester of finals was the first for many of my residents. I decided to incorporate a number of stress relievers, including strips of bubble wrap, up and down my hall to remind them to take a break and focus on their mental health and self care. Each of the sloths have a tip for effective stress release, and the big sloth in the middle serves as encouragement for smiles.

Crowded stalls slant back and forth.

Crooked teeth leer

hiding cavities inside.

Feet tap absently on either end,

feet in between stand still.

Freckled forearms rest on freckled thighs.

Restless fingers chip

halos

into painted nails.

Mouth mumbles

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy wo—

NO WOMBS.

Eyes wander pointedly

and scrutinize cheap walls.

Craters of rust match nails made holy

through no fault of their own.

Eyes follow freckles

avoiding their true target

and the 60 seconds ticking by.

Mama cries through memory’s window

clutching at a golden cross

balling soaked tissue against shaking thighs.

Lips form Blessed again as stomach clenches

no.

Not blessed.

Timing determines what is and isn’t blessed.

Now is not the time.

NO WOMBS screams mind

as lips continue

promising to virgin queens.

NO WOMBS screams mind as

tick

tick

tick

turns prayer and thought to one.

tick

tick

tick

as heartbeat does or does not multiply

and fingers do or do not shake

and mind does or does not concentrate

on butterflies that might have substance.

Over the course of a school year, I am charged with the task of introducing a set curriculum to my residents. They are expected to leave their Freshman year with a better grasp of five challenges:

1. Committing to unwavering CURIOSITY

Virginia Tech students will be inspired to lead lives of curiosity, embracing a life-long commitment to intellectual development.

Virginia Tech believes that all environments of the college experience provide students with opportunities for learning. From Student Organizations to cultural and recreational events, these planned and spontaneous encounters represent a place where students can constantly learn. Encouraging that curiosity with my residents ensures that they will continue to make the most of their college experience.

2. Pursuing SELF-UNDERSTANDING and INTEGRITY

Virginia Tech students will form a set of affirmative values and develop the self-understanding to integrate these values into their decision-making.

As students better understand themselves and align their values with the decisions that they make, they will be able to adopt a set of principles from which to live by  for the rest of their lives. Allowing them to develop their own standards and principles helps my residents understand themselves as individuals and professionals.

3. Practicing CIVILITY

Virginia Tech students will understand and commit to civility as a way of life in their interactions with others.

The idea of Hokie Respect is something that every Virginia Tech student is exposed to during their time at this university, and we believe that pursuing and embracing the value of civility is something what can be carried through life. Interacting with those who are different is a given when it comes to living in a residence hall community, and practicing civility when it comes to situations where residents are presented with those who are different is a necessary factor.

4. Preparing for a life of COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP

Virginia Tech students will be courageous leaders who serve as change agents and make the world more humane and just.

Being willing to challenge the status quo in pursuit of a more humane and just world is what will ultimately make the difference in our society’s future. My job is to communicate the idea that courageous leadership is something that’s possible whether or not someone is in a position of responsibility.

5. Embracing an UT PROSIM way of life

Virginia Tech students will enrich their lives through service to others.

Ut Prosim is our University’s motto, and unlike most college institutions, our students leave at the end of their time here with a cognizant understanding of what it implies. Creating and serving communities allows my residents to develop a value system that guides their decisions and enables them to continue on in life as responsible citizens of the world.

As our residents aren’t Kindergarteners, and have a basic understanding of how to be a good person, a barrier RA’s face often is being able to present these ideas in a manner that isn’t patronizing or preachy. We choose to do so through programming that subliminally introduces the aspirations in a way that resonates with our residents instead of lecturing them until they can recite each outcome by heart.