From quiet hours and candles to the more extreme drinking, drugs, and even suicide, Resident Assistants at Penn State are trained to be prepared for anything.

For many students, this month marks the beginning of the long process of becoming a RA for Fall Semester 2001. Students who wish to apply for the position must have at least 12 credits at the time of application and maintain a minimum 2.25 cumulative GPA.

Paul Giangrasso (sophomore-business administration) attended one of several meetings for interested students last week in South Halls in hopes of joining the ranks. He said his own RA inspired him.

"My RA was very dedicated to the job and really made everyone feel welcome," he said.

In order to become a RA Giangrasso will have to fill out a lengthy application, be interviewed and complete Counselor Education 302 (The Role of the Resident Assistant). The course includes lectures, journal entries and small group instruction. It aims to teach students assertiveness, communication skills and respect of differences while also teaching them day-to-day RA duties. Students must obtain at least a B in the course and receive an instructor recommendation.

"Part of the class is actual instruction on how to be an RA, like how to write up incident reports, what to do if there's a situation in your building," said Adam Kapp (junior-English and psychology), RA for the third floor of Atherton Hall. "The other half is sharing your personal experience with the class. I think everyone in the class really learned the most from that."

Kapp said by listening and talking with other students in the class, he has a better appreciation of diversity issues and has been prepared to interact with residents of many different backgrounds. Debi Swarner, Residence Life Coordinator for Atherton Hall, says the most important quality a RA should have is a willingness to work with others.

"The interactions that you have can help you learn things that work for your whole life," she said.

Swarner explains a RA wears many hats, including helper, adviser, limit setter and policy enforcer.

A panel of four students who are currently RAs attended the meeting to answer students' questions.

They discussed some of the issues they have helped their residents deal with, such as roommate conflicts and death, but also mentioned fun times like organizing birthday parties for their residents.

They also admitted it was hard to enforce the rules while still having friendships with their residents. Kapp agreed. "I'm sure that I'm not anyone's first pick for who to hang out with on a Friday night," he said, "but I don't take any offense to that," he said. All four members of the panel said their grades have gone up since they became RAs.

Compensation for the job includes a waived room, usually single, waived meal plan No. 4, and $500 tuition credit each semester, but Kapp warns students not to apply just for the benefits.

"Only apply to become a RA because you want to help people, not because you want a single room or you want money," he said.

"It's not fair to your residents if you take the job just because you want the privileges that come along with it."

Typical responsibilities for a RA include interacting with the residents, reporting to Residence Life daily, and spending a few nights a month "on duty," going on rounds throughout the halls and staying by the phone in case of an emergency.

"All the things you learn in the RA class," Kapp said, "you kind of hope you don't have to help someone who is depressed or something like that. We're here just in case."

Cecelia Eastman, administrative specialist for residence life, says about 230 students applied for the position last semester. Of those, a little more than half were accepted.

"Unfortunately, we don't have enough space in the classes. It is very highly competitive," she said.

Despite the long and competitive application process, and a demanding job that may result, Giangrasso still plans on applying.

"To me it seems like it's a lot of work, and you have to put forth a lot of dedication, but in the end from what I've seen from my friends that have the positions it's pretty rewarding."