Raymond Student Fellow resigns post

Ariel Schwartz Assistant News Editor

Recently, a Student Fellow in Raymond was forced to resign after being caught drinking with a fellowee. While this was the only case of a Student Fellow resigning this year, the incident has raised lager questions about expectations of the Student Fellow program. Because of confidentiality with Residential Life, the name of the student fellow was not released.

Fellows are asked to sign a contract upon taking their position, which states that they must abide by all college policies and regulations. They are asked specifically not to consume alcohol or use drugs with their freshmen.

While fellows are normally reprimanded similarly to other students if they are caught participating in these activities, the charges become more serious if they are caught with fellowees. Underage drinking is not permitted under the College’s alcohol policies. However, drinking with fellowees is considered an added offense to drinking underage, if the fellow is under 21.

“That behavior coupled with the fact that you’ve done it with your freshmen; there is an inability to be a role model,” said Director of Residential Life Luis Inoa. “You compromise that position as far as being a Student Fellow is concerned. You may have compromised your relationship with your fellowees that do not engage in that type of behavior.”
In the specific situation of the Raymond Student Fellow, the position will not be filled by a new student.

Inoa commented, “I think the timing is very critical. The first six weeks of the freshman experience are very important, and the reality is that the relationship is formed instantaneously.”

Inoa noted that the bond between the Student Fellow and the freshmen probably still exists, even after removal from the position. “They probably still look at their former student fellow as their fellow,” he said. “It doesn’t change.”

All Student Fellows discovered to be in violation of the code of conduct are asked to move out of their room, though not necessarily the dorm.

The only case where a fellow group would get a new fellow, other than violating the contract about abiding by College policies, is if the fellowees and fellow had formed a negative relationship.

Inoa said that problems with Student Fellows this year will be taken into account when Residential Life looks for student fellows for the 2006-2007 school year. In the past, the process for becoming a Student Fellow has involved paper applications, personal references, and interviews.

Inoa recognized that Student Fellows may have difficulty at times in making decisions about how to behave with fellowees, who are also their classmates.

“I think Student Fellows are under a lot of pressure from their own freshmen, particularly ones that are very social,” said Inoa. “It’s cool to try and get your Student Fellow to participate with you. Now that we’re trying to recruit for next year, we’re trying to be very clear about the expectations for fellows and the reality of the pressure they’ll be under.”