The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 37, No. 2 - 73

A version of this paper was presented at the 2009 Southern Sociological Society 72nd Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. We thank anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on the manuscript. Correspondence about this article should be addressed to Diane Everett, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Stetson University, DeLand, Florida 32723. E-mail: ddeveret@stetson.edu

Role conflict  .  .  . refers to a situation whereby the social role (i .e ., set of expected behaviors) attached to one status, or social position, clashes with the social role associated with another status occupied simultaneously by that same person .

USIng DATA fROm BOTH qualitative interviews and quantitative questionnaires from 32 undergraduate resident assistants (RAs) at a private, residential university, this study explored RAs’ role conflict derived from their simultaneous positions as rule enforcers and friends, vis-à-vis their residents. most RAs reported that they were friends with some residents on their own floors, at least occasionally experienced role conflict when handling residents’ policy violations, and had difficulty taking disciplinary action against residents with whom they were more familiar. These findings have implications for RAs’ training and roles that involve changes to the residential life office’s organizational structure and processes.

At residential colleges and universities, undergraduate resident assistants (RAs) play an increasingly complex, diverse, and expanded role in campus life (Jaeger & Caison, 2006; Paladino, Murray, Newgent, & Gohn, 2005). They occupy diverse statuses, assume various responsibilities, and perform multiple roles in relation to their residents, both within and outside their residence halls (Blimling, 2003). For instance, RAs act as role models and mentors who offer counsel regarding personal and academic matters; design and implement programs to foster a positive living environment; respond to emergencies; and implement university policies and procedures, enforce rules, and perform disciplinary duties (Berkowitz & Perkins, 1986; Hardy & Dodd, 1998; O’Hare & Sherrer, 1999; Paladino et al.; Rubington, 1990, 1993; Schaller & Wagner, 2007; Williams & Nelson, 1986). Within the organizational hierarchy of some housing and residential life offices, with respect to policy

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The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 37, No. 2

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 37, No. 2

The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 37, No. 2
Contents
Letter from the Editor
Training Resident Assistants to Make Effective Referrals to Counseling
Professional Development Needs for New Residential Life Professionals
Structural Analysis of the Resident Assistant Cultural Diversity Questionnaire
Recent Alumni Perceptions of Hall Government Leadership Learning
Resident Assistants as Rule Enforcers Versus Friends: An Exploratory Study of Role Conflict
College Housing Dissertations: A Bounded Qualitative Meta-Study
The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 37, No. 2 - Intro
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The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 37, No. 2 - Letter from the Editor
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The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 37, No. 2 - Structural Analysis of the Resident Assistant Cultural Diversity Questionnaire
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The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 37, No. 2 - Recent Alumni Perceptions of Hall Government Leadership Learning
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The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 37, No. 2 - Resident Assistants as Rule Enforcers Versus Friends: An Exploratory Study of Role Conflict
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The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 37, No. 2 - College Housing Dissertations: A Bounded Qualitative Meta-Study
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