On Feb. 8, the new residential assistants received their letters of acceptance. Some start as soon as possible since there has been a shortage of RAs recently, while others are scheduled to start next fall.

Newly hired, RA Gabby Power is excited to get started next year. “After my first semester in the dorms here at SMSU, there was no doubt in my mind I wanted to apply,” Power said. “I think it’s a great opportunity offered to students and a way to meet tons of new people. I’m really looking forward to bringing my ideas and creativity to the table next year in the dorms.”

The experienced RAs are glad to be adding new members. The shortage of RAs meant less people for the same amount of work.

Nicole Walker is a sophomore in charge of Lincoln Center.

“The RA shortage didn’t affect me personally, but it affected us as a whole,” Walker said. “It affected the students who never had an RA. The students who didn’t have an RA before now have someone to go to and they are now forming a community in their houses.”

Chelsea Wiese is a sophomore who started as the RA for Porter at the beginning of this school year.

“I became an RA because I wanted to make my house a huge family and make sure everyone had someone to talk to,” Wiese said.

Wiese said that the shortage of RAs did not affect her personally, but did affect the Residence Life staff as a whole.

“We all had to work harder and made sure those residents without an RA felt welcome,” Wiese said.