Spring Break
University suspends policy
Committee will recommend System-wide RA rules by Jan. 9
DJ Slater
Issue date: 12/1/05 Section: Campus News
UW-Eau Claire has suspended its unwritten policy that places restrictions on resident assistants until it and the UW System complete their reviews.
The suspension, which Interim Chancellor Vicki Lord Larson announced Wednesday during her Roundtable discussion, took effect immediately because of inconsistencies found by the internal review in regard to the communication of the policy to RAs during training.
"The suspension indicates that we recognize that our lack of written guidelines has caused confusion and controversy for some people," Larson said.
During the review, System President Kevin Reilly requested the university enforce the policy only if complaints are received about specific conduct by specific RAs, Larson said.
Reilly also announced the formation of a student-life experts committee that will help develop System-wide policies for all RAs on UW campuses. Chancellors of each university will name individuals to the committee by Dec. 9. The committee will then forward all recommendations for future policies by Jan. 9.
"We have been getting increasing criticism from legislators and others that we don't respond fast enough," Larson said, adding the time between those two dates indicates the System's desire to respond to this issue quickly.
The policy forbids RAs from organizing or leading religious, political, or sales-related activities in their room or residence halls.
Senior RA Lance Steiger first received a letter on July 26 asking him to refrain from holding Bible studies in his residence hall.
Steiger attempted to speak with housing officials, but said they denied him, which prompted him to contact the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. FIRE sent a letter to Larson Oct. 10 and the issue later received national attention.
"I was happy to hear that they suspended the policy. It's good to hear that the university is listening to its students," Steiger said. "I still disagree with any policy that limits RAs from leading religious, political, ideological or anything of the sort in their free time."
The suspension, which Interim Chancellor Vicki Lord Larson announced Wednesday during her Roundtable discussion, took effect immediately because of inconsistencies found by the internal review in regard to the communication of the policy to RAs during training.
"The suspension indicates that we recognize that our lack of written guidelines has caused confusion and controversy for some people," Larson said.
During the review, System President Kevin Reilly requested the university enforce the policy only if complaints are received about specific conduct by specific RAs, Larson said.
Reilly also announced the formation of a student-life experts committee that will help develop System-wide policies for all RAs on UW campuses. Chancellors of each university will name individuals to the committee by Dec. 9. The committee will then forward all recommendations for future policies by Jan. 9.
"We have been getting increasing criticism from legislators and others that we don't respond fast enough," Larson said, adding the time between those two dates indicates the System's desire to respond to this issue quickly.
The policy forbids RAs from organizing or leading religious, political, or sales-related activities in their room or residence halls.
Senior RA Lance Steiger first received a letter on July 26 asking him to refrain from holding Bible studies in his residence hall.
Steiger attempted to speak with housing officials, but said they denied him, which prompted him to contact the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. FIRE sent a letter to Larson Oct. 10 and the issue later received national attention.
"I was happy to hear that they suspended the policy. It's good to hear that the university is listening to its students," Steiger said. "I still disagree with any policy that limits RAs from leading religious, political, ideological or anything of the sort in their free time."
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