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March 2, 2007 > News > Will Rice RAs to depart in May

Will Rice RAs to depart in May

By Matthew McKee | Thresher Editorial Staff

Political science professor Randy Stevenson and partner Ricky Gritz will leave Will Rice College in May, three years after becoming Resident Associates.

Stevenson said he is leaving for work-related reasons.

“We felt like Will Rice needed a couple who could put all their time into being RAs,” he said.

Stevenson became an RA at Will Rice after eight years as a faculty member. He said he and Gritz took the positions in order to form stronger bonds with students.

“There’s often a misperception that RAs are motivated by the free rent,” Stevenson said. “But just about all the RAs are motivated by getting close to the students.”

During Stevenson and Gritz’s time as RAs, the college re-instituted Will Rice Day — a large, informal gathering that Stevenson said is his favorite memory of the college. He said he enjoyed the relaxed, alcohol-free atmosphere where students socialized and connected with each other.

Stevenson said he thinks the RA position fits young faculty members very well and disagrees with those who think junior faculty members should not be RAs.

“Even in a strict sense of having time for your research, every day that you’re an RA, you gain time that you’re on campus that would usually be spent on transportation,” he said. “Sure, you have to put time into being an RA and doing events and things … but it about evens out.”

Stevenson also said he thinks graduate students do not have enough experience to help students and feels that RAs should be part of a generation that falls between the students and masters in order to provide a broad range of perspectives to students.

“I would like to see the RA position being enhanced and supported by the university and made more attractive to younger faculty,” Stevenson said.

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