There are some troubling things going on in residence.
Three residence fellows resigned in December 2013 due to what they called unsafe working conditions and a lack of administrative support. Res fellows also led a failed unionization bid, an action actively discouraged by Carleton administration.
After such an eventful year one might think the administration would be taking residence issues more seriously, yet it doesn’t look like things will get better any time soon.
This is completely unacceptable.
Though res fellows are temporary employees, they should be treated with respect. They are crucial to students’ well-being and safety, and have one of the toughest jobs on campus.
This isn’t just a casual part-time job for them. They live in the same place they work.
In addition, res fellows aren’t just employees—they’re students. Their impressions formed working for the university in residence affect how they study and interact with the university in later years.
They are students that are involved at some level with university extra-curriculars, and a negative experience at one of their first, working as a res fellow, may sever any ambition they had of getting involved with more.
The administration needs to remember they exist because of students. Rather than intimidating res fellows, they should be their first line of support.
