Is there really a difference between RAs and SLAs? Well…maybe. There certainly is a difference in how each is paid. But maybe the right question to ask is should there be a difference?
SLA for those of you acronym-challenged people means spiritual life advisor. They are “special” resident advisors with a spiritual reputation and have an element of confidentiality.
The stereotypes in the residence halls: RAs get you in trouble while SLAs counsel your soul. A wise former SLA put it this way “RAs are supposed to be spiritual leaders of course just like any Christian should be… but an SLA is supposed to actively encourage and watch over/shepherd those put under their care.”
The RA and SLA job descriptions have attempted to address the growing rift between the two positions and there are still some glaring differences.
The major difference is that an SLA receives only $700 a semester and an RA receives $1400 plus housing per semester. Ouch. As a former SLA myself I heard a couple theories on this huge financial disparity.
One reason is that an SLA’s job description calls for only 8 to 10 hours weekly while the RA’s description calls for 20 hours weekly. Another excuse for the low salary is to discourage people from taking the position for the wrong reasons (why that same principle would not apply to the RA position I do not know).
In one respect the latter reason works: People usually apply to be an SLA from a ministry standpoint and not for the monetary gain. In another respect it completely fails:
Each year HRL struggles to fill the slots. I know of a few friends who were approached mid-year and asked to fill an SLA spot and the rumor has it that only six SLAs reapplied for next year.
What is the problem here? How come SLAs have such a bad return rate? Is it the money? That is definitely a possibility. Or is it the pressure that comes with the spiritual label? Or perhaps current SLAs are too exasperated to continue next year?
It is probably a combination of all three.
The idea that an SLA only “works” 10 hours a week is laughable and unrealistic. Like an RA SLAs have to work to build individual relationships with residents. A sucessful SLA has to spend more time developing relationships than RAs since SLAs deal with such deep sensitive and personal issues.
This is because aside from a few exceptions people do not open up or ask for help from people they barely know or trust. An SLA is much more effective when they have established healthy friendships and obviously that takes time.
Given the average 40 students per hall and only one SLA these relationships require an exorbitant amount of time not to mention morale as all RAs/SLAs eventually realize that it is impossible to create and maintain that many. This leads to my next point—burnout.
SLAs who view their position as a ministry (many do and all should) go beyond the job description and hours taking residents to the hospital at 2 a.m. or offering stability to those going through a parent’s divorce.They guide and seek help for students wrestling with issues ranging from homesickness to severe depression eating disorders and alcohol abuse. They plan and run a weekly small group or Bible study.
Do not forget that SLAs actually do attend Pepperdine and have the pressure of school and their own private lives on top of their responsibility. It is easy to feel like a failure since the job is larger than any human can handle. Trust me I know that feeling.
The sad part is when SLAs get tired and discouraged there are not enough people pouring into them and supporting them. While resident directors are available to council SLAs can encourage one another and chaplain Dave Lemley is available there is little recognition from Pepperdine and the student body for their work. From a world reflection the salary says what words do not: Pepperdine values SLAs less than half as much as they value the RAs.
Former SLA Phoenix Eyre echoes this feeling “They’ve [Pepperdine] compartmentalized the spiritual shepherd role… it’s as if they don’t value spiritual protection as much as judicial responsibility.”
Yet SLAs are doing the Lord’s work humbly serving and treating broken hearts and broken lives. Look at Christ’s life.
He rebuked the Pharisees and treated the broken with compassion because He came not for the healthy but for the sick. While the “law” is important it is not more important than someone’s spiritual health.
We are placing man’s want for order over the eternal value of a person’s heart. It would serve us and Pepperdine well to remember that. I am not trying to negate the role of the RA or argue what role has more spiritual significance as both should be spiritual. What I am trying to do though is shed light on a position that has gone unrecognized.
I am also raising a question and challenge for Pepperdine. Why has the spiritual role been compartmentalized? All leaders in the residence halls should be concerned with the spiritual health of those under their care. If this was actually carried out it would mean RAs really are not much different from SLAs except perhaps in confidentiality and even that confidence answers to the law a little known fact.
It is time to firmly define roles within the residence halls that can support each other. Both Pepperdine and the student body need to give proper recognition to the SLA position— the position applies the Christian principles this university is founded upon.
Hinging on all this Pepperdine needs to figure out the money issue. The inequality has deep implications that are hurting the ministry and building resentment.To the current and past SLAs (and RAs) I want to issue this encouragement. Reflect and remember that while we are weak God is strong.
He is the mover within the hall and He is the Prince of Peace. Only He can get you through the year and keep you sane.
I came to a realization within my own hall last year that when I tried to work on my own I failed miserably.
When I waited on the Holy Spirit’s moving and listened to His direction God changed lives. God works beyond the limits of humans and does not let job titles or descriptions hinder Him.
Let the Creator work and see how He transforms you and your residents.