First-year counselors transform Res-life

Author: Anthony Adragna

Just one week into the new academic year, the newly created First-Year Counselor (FYC) program has already led to strong connections between residents and their counselors, according to several FYCs. Jimmy Wong '09, a FYC in Stewart, now affectionately answers to the name "mom" for some of his residents who look to him for advice with problems and information on how Middlebury College runs.

The College created the position of FYC in place of the Junior Counselor (JC) position, which used to exist to guide first-years. Now, residents have two FYCs on their hall who will serve as advisors when problems arise and will keep the dorm safe. FYCs receive a salary for their efforts, replacing the previous system of JCs receiving housing perks, but also encounter additional duties having to do with maintaining order.

As part of the new duties, FYCs must hold office hours and take on some of the previous roles held by Commons Resident Advisors (CRAs). In the restructuring of the residential-life system, the number of CRAs in each commons was cut from two to one. The ultimate goal of the program is to have the FYC base consist mainly of seniors.

CRAs must support and monitor all members of the residential life staff, a duty they did not have to perform in the past.

"Learning how to effectively support these two different positions [Residential Advisors and FYCs] at the same time is something that previous CRAs have not had to do," Ross Commons CRA Rebecca Guillet said. "We are also charged with getting to know and supporting a much larger student population, which is both challenging and rewarding. Additionally, with the new role that faculty heads play in the supervision of the FYCs, CRAs will probably work with the heads in a slightly different way than in the past."

Many incoming first-years see their FYC as a knowledge base they can go to when looking for advice on what do on campus.

"A FYC is a role model for the incoming freshman on their residence hall," Hadley resident Tyler Flynn '11 said. "They also are purveyors of knowledge to incoming freshman about anything Midd. From laundry to Japanese - my FYCs seem to know it all."

Wong sees the role of an FYC as much greater given the new structure to the system this year.

"My role as a First-Year Counselor involves more than just being a support system for [first-year] academic and social concerns," he said. "I feel a responsibility to create an inclusive and bonded hall for everyone living here. I get this impression from many of the other FYCs in the program this year."

Although some of the new duties outlined for FYCs involve discipline, many first-years do not think their counselors want to impact their fun.

"I see them less as authority figures and more as someone you can go to for advice or help," Hadley Hall resident Colin Taylor '11 said.

Wong said he thinks FYCs will stay more connected and visible to their residents than JCs.

"I can't speak for myself, but after talking to other students in my class I get the general impression that JCs were far more removed from their halls than current FYCs are," he said. "I think the vibe towards FYCs will gradually shift to freshmen viewing them not as strictly counselors, but trustworthy friends with sometimes better judgment."

Not all students are completely satisfied with the new system. Some believe reducing the number of CRAs was not a good decision.

"I'm not very pleased with the administration's decision to reduce the number of CRAs," Wong said. "If I'm not mistaken, part of the reason that the FYC position is paid is a direct result of removing CRA positions and I think that is a poor decision."

Several CRAs see the workload this year as relatively unchanged but acknowledge that their place in the residential life system has changed.

"While I wouldn't call the workload overwhelming, it has certainly been challenging trying to figure out my place in the new system," Guillet said. "I think that the essential duties of a CRA have remained the same. We mentor the FYCs and RAs, and we provide support of all kinds to our residents. We may have more to do than in past years, but we are also being fully supported."

The decision to offer FYCs a salary led Wong to consider not applying for the position.

"I was honestly surprised and shocked at the amount of money that was being paid to FYCs for the position," he said. "While JCs were offered housing points in the past, I actually was a bit hesitant to apply for the position knowing that it was now paid."

While the over-admittance of first-years caused problems with finding res-life staff to monitor everyone, Wong thinks the number of first-years will ultimately be positive.

"If there is one benefit of having a new more personal and integrated system of res-lifers with freshmen, it's that we might actually see more pride and affiliation with each Commons from this year's class," he said.

Beyond the changes to the positions themselves, some first-years see the position as fundamentally positive but not absolutely necessary.

"I'm not sure they're completely necessary, but I certainly think they can be very helpful," Taylor said.

Still other first-years see the position of FYC as essential for students adjusting to college life.

"I fully believe they are necessary," Flynn said. "I know I would have been completely lost without the aid of my FYCs."