Over the past few weeks, Union College’s first year residential buildings have seen a troubling rise in damages, which was not observed in previous years. Some of these wreckages include ripping up bulletin boards and inappropriate language scrawled on the walls of the hallways. These actions do not respect the physical spaces that students call home, creating an unsafe environment for the residents of these dorms.
According to the members of Residential Education (ResEd), these incidents have created uncomfortable and, at times, unsafe environments for students and staff. For instance, bulletin boards are not just decorative items for the floors, but also represent the hard work of the Resident Advisors (RAs) to better inform their residents with important information and foster connection. When they’re destroyed, it undermines the effort that was put into creating them and the shared responsibility that comes from living in a community space.
Luckily though, the Community Directors and RAs have had conversations with the residents of the floors in which these damages have been observed and have noticed a significant improvement in people taking care of their shared spaces. Sam, a Community Director, offers a thoughtful reflection on what it means to live respectfully in shared environments: “Our residential spaces are shared homes, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to help create a culture of care and respect within them. When damage occurs, it doesn’t just impact a building – it affects the people who live there and the sense of community we’re all working to build. I encourage everyone to pause and reflect on how they’re contributing to their environment, and to recognize their actions, big or small, truly matter in shaping the experience for everyone.”
It is imperative that not only first-years but all residents of Union College realize that the residential staff, including RAs and the ResEd team, dedicate countless hours to foster an environment that feels safe, welcoming, and inclusive for every student. Their work extends for beyond just enforcing policy; they plan events, mediate conflicts, and use their free time to do rounds around their dorms. With their efforts, they ensure that the dorms feel like a true home away from home.
Hence, the least we can do as a community is take ownership of these spaces and treat them with care. A simple act of respect through cleaning up after oneself or appreciating your RAs efforts can go a long way in creating the kind of community that we all wish to belong to.
