Will Seidelmann is stunned that he has no complaints about being a Resident Assistant (RA) this year.

“This year the community on my floor has been great,” Seidelmann said. “The residents are a lot closer and tend to go to (the student recreation center) and dinner together.”

This Seidelmann’s second year as an RA, and said his residents rarely have gotten into trouble.

Last year, however, Seidelmann had plenty of alcohol related issues to deal with, he said.

Violations on campus happen, but consequences are based on how much of an impact a person has made on their community and environment in which they live in.

There have been fewer violations this academic year than last year, Seidelmann said.

In the 2005-2006 academic year, 428 students were disciplined for underage possession of alcohol compared to 356 students in 2004-2005.

“Our rules are based on what (is) best for the environment,” said Mark Hudson, director of university housing and dining services. “Residents Halls are much more open in a way we operate systems.”

Hudson he said it is his job to oversee the effort to serve residents in regards to living on-campus and food services. The university does not act as parental advisors, but as a system to help people succeed, he added.

The most frequent violations seen on campus are noise violations, possession of alcohol and unescorted guests.

Hudson wants students to have a clear understanding the housing staff holds students accountable when there is a violation.

Eastern has set guidelines listed in the Student Code of Conduct, which can be found in the Panther Pack student handbook. Upon enrollment, students are required to read and sign the standards Eastern has asked of them to abide.

“It seems last year I had to document more cases compared to none this year,” Seidelmann said.

Because Seidelmann’s resident floor has such great community bonding, the behavior has been better, especially with less alcohol related issues, he added.

Unescorted guests have been an issue for many residents who live in all resident halls as well.

“Many people don’t realize how strict of a campus we are,” said Chelsie Hahn, an RA in Lawson Hall. “People who visit from a different campus don’t see unescorted guests as a problem.”

If an unescorted guest is caught roaming the halls or leaving by him or herself, the person they came to visit would get in trouble, said Hudson.

In 05-06, 20 unescorted guests were documented and referred to Judicial Affairs.

“We don’t want people wandering around, causing a problem on safety,” said Hudson.

Sanctions for such violations within housing are based on how serious the situation is.

Hudson said he strives for residents to learn consideration for others. All the sanctions are educationally based and what is best for the community.

“When violations occur in residents halls, the RA on duty will approach the resident by knocking on their door and if the RA knows that resident is there and won’t answer, we have to call the hall director,” said Hahn.

Identification and panther cards are requested when documents have to be made. If the person who is involved with a situation does not attend Eastern, Eastern is allowed to contact other school’s Judicial Affairs as well.

When a document is made, it is sent to Judicial Affairs and to the director of the building.

“Students are here to try to figure out boundaries,” said Hudson. “We are serious about being a good citizen, and the judicial process reinforces positive learning.”

Warnings are also given, but only in cases that have little impact on other surroundings. Hahn and other RAs in Lawson Hall have what she calls the buddy system. If they need back up there is always someone on each floor to call, Hahn said.

It is the RA’s decision whether or not to call for back up or to distinguish what should happen, she added.

Once a resident is documented they have an option to meet with a student judicial board. In larger issues, a resident has an option to meet with a hearing officer in Judicial Affairs.

“Accountability is important on floors,” Hahn said. “We are not here to watch over residents, but we’re here to help them adapt to college.”

RAs have gone through training to prepare themselves for possible situations.

Prior to getting hired as a RA, students must attend two workshops to meet people and get to know personalities and go through an interview process.

When students are hired, they then have two weeks in the summer where they go through an intensive program.

Acting out situations and allowing new RAs to confront the situation, is also apart of the training process.

Hudson said, the University Police Department are seldom involved in the event of a violation. When drug issues happen, the police are immediately notified.

“All semester, I had to document one write up, and I feel we are doing a good job of making sure everyone is safe,” Hahn said.

Brittni Garcia can be reached at 581-7942 or at bmgarcia@eiu.edu.

Possession of Alcohol is one of the most frequent violations handled by RA’s. Other major complaints include noise issues and unescorted guests. (Bryce Peake/Daily Eastern News)

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