Had I known that while accepting the position of Resident advisor for Western Washington University, I would also be accepting all of the systematic disregard and disrespect for their student employee’s safety and well-being, I would have declined their offer. I want to believe that Western Washington University has their students’ interests at heart, however I cannot whole heartedly agree with that statement due to their actions regarding incidents which I personally experienced. To start; I would like it to be made clear that I did not choose to be placed in Highland Hall. I asked for a hallway style residence hall, similar to the rest of the buildings in SHADO as I felt like I would be most comfortable in spaces like those.
​
Fall Quarter, the night of November 11th-12th, my room was broken into. The perpetrator was apprehending within my room, wearing multiple pieces of my clothing. This event was both traumatic and unnerving, but I was hopeful that the University would assist me in rebuilding my community as well as heal personally from the incident. I organized a meeting with my staff members to discuss the event and what took place, what information I was comfortable with being released, and how I wanted to move forward with the issue in regards with residents (for an example; a required meeting for my community in which I explained the incidents in the level of detail I was comfortable with). The SHADO Resident Director was out of town by mere chance, and I was told that if I felt as though I needed to take that action, I should proceed with the meeting minus my RD and have my ARD present. My staff (Including the ARD and RD) were incredible, being sensitive and empathetic as well as full of support. I wish I could say I felt the same about anyone in a position higher than Resident Director. Following the meeting (which took place on that Sunday night, November 13th), we had our regularly scheduled staff meeting on Monday. At this meeting, [Area Director] attended our meeting. I was expecting her to express her condolences and assure us that the University would do everything in their power to correct the massive wrong I have experienced. Instead, she stood above us as we sat and listened to her call me out negatively for hosting the meeting. [Area Director] told me in front of my entire staff that she believed it was a poor reaction to have, and that we needed to take things slow and not be rash. I was forced to postpone a stack meeting I desperately wanted to host, and was told I was not allowed to release details about the break in. All I was allowed to say about the incident was that someone entered my room. That is all. While I can understand why the University would not want to incite panic, I believe that my students as well as myself were put in unnecessary danger by not being aware of the severity of the situation, especially because the man was released on bail later that same week. If a resident had experienced this trauma, all control would be given to them as to how they want to move forward. It became very clear that because I am an employee for ResLife that I would not be given that same amount of dignity residents could expect.
​
Concerned that a complete stranger had direct access to my home, I decided to discuss the security concerns at Dessert with the Directors. My comments about wanting more variety in dining hall food were met with more action and concern than my personal safety. I was quickly told that they could move any resident who had security concerns, but and were just as quick to dismiss me when I pointed out that I could not be moved. I told them I wanted a main entrance system similar to the one already in place at Higginson Hall. I explicitly stated that I did not feel safe in my own home, and I found the responses to be apathetic at best. They were more concerned with the feelings of safety within the residents, not their own student employee who was forced to live in the area due to their placements. In addition to being dismissed about Highland safety, I was also denied an extension to complete one on one’s. Being displaced out of my living space made it virtually impossible logistically to complete these conversations, as well as my mental state was nowhere near healthy enough to give my residents the attention they deserve. None of this mattered to the ResLife Leadership, and even after [Resident Director] advocated on my behalf to extend the deadline, I was forced to host conversations I did not feel comfortable participating in. This often forced me to be in my room (a space I did not feel safe in) for extended periods of time. I barely made the 80% requirement, and had I not done that I firmly believe they would have had no issue taking negative action against me.
​
Flash forward to February 19th, when I was again placed in an unnerving and truly traumatic situation due to the lack of security in Highland Hall. I was exiting my room to leave for dinner around 5:00pm, and I noticed someone had scrawled a sexually threatening message on a whiteboard affixed to my door. Because of the lack of security, there is no way of telling if it was a resident or a stranger. I am outraged that the investigation cannot move forward due to this fact. I am now fearful for my safety at all hours of the day, as my personal schedule was posted at my door to allow for residents to sign up for their one on ones. The University is playing a waiting game with my personal safety and mental health and I am infuriated that I am forced to live in these conditions riddled with sexual harassment and constant fear, due to the fact I could lose my job if I do not return to this space that has been proven twice now to be unsafe for me. Had my suggestions been taken seriously, I firmly believe that I would not be in the state I am in now.
​
I have seen no justice for the way I have been treated, and have contemplated quitting due to the strain that has been placed upon my mental health. My grades, happiness, and general well-being have all suffered due to the negligence of ResLife leadership. Unfortunately for myself, the financial burden I would face if I were to quit would be too much to continue studying at this University. It has become apparent that ResLife is aware of the power they hold over me, and use that to their advantage when it comes to avoiding complaints against them. I decided not to return as a Resident Advisor, as it has been made very clear to me that the department does not value nor view me as a human being. I have been subjected to terrible experiences, and was left dissatisfied and heartbroken by the University’s responses. I once believe that ResLife only had minor issues, but I can now see that there is a systemic disregard for the people they employ. I no longer recommend the job as one of value due to my experiences. I actively discourage those from applying simply because I cannot trust the system to treat them any better than I have been treated.
​
It is a shame that I even have to write this testimonial. The University should be expected to treat its student employee’s with dignity, respect, and general kindness. If it were not for my amazing staff-mates, ARD, and RD, I would see absolutely no benefit in me keeping this job. I encourage change in system, as I do not want others to be failed in the same way I have.