NICOLE ALBERTSON
News Assistant
Senior Christine Rosenblatt has resigned from her elected position as Senior Class President due to conflicts with the Housing and Community Living division (HCL). In spring, Rosenblatt was chosen to be a Residential Advisor (RA) as well as the Senior Class President — two leadership roles the HCL has deemed to have overwhelming time requirements.
“Due to the significant time commitments of key leadership positions, class president is one position that we have identified as incompatible with the RA role,” said Stacy Rothberg, Associated Dean of Housing and Community Living.
According to Rosenblatt, HCL was concerned about her becoming over-committed to responsibilities and retaining a prior set precedent to be fair on behalf of all other students.
Rosenblatt has held numerous leadership positions throughout her career at Pepperdine. This year would marks her third consecutive year as an RA as well as her third year involved with SGA. Rosenblatt has served for the underclassmen as Sophomore Class Representative and the Freshman Initiatives Director. She also lead freshmen in her two prior years as RA.
“I felt my two years in both HCL and SGA validated my ability to serve in both positions,” Rosenblatt said.
The terms of eligibility and requirements are made clear on the HCL Web site through information sessions and when each RD reviews each RA applicant’s time commitments. But exemption requests can be submitted to exclude a student from the eligibility requirements.
RAs may not hold positions as SLA, SGA- E board or Class President, top positions in PVC or Jumpstart, Graphic Editor in Chief, page or photo editor, as well as an intern for the Student Programming Board, Intercultural Affairs, or Campus Ministry among others. The entire list is available on the HCL website, as well as the eligibility and requirements for SLA.
“I filled out the appropriate paperwork through HCL asking for an exemption,” Rosenblatt said. “I was told by my Resident Director there was no problem in running for the position and that the directors of HCL and SGA were going to hold a meeting.”
The day after announcing her candidacy at a school-wide assembly, Rosenblatt’s RD pulled her aside and indicated she would have to choose between the two positions should she be elected president.
“Following the election, I appealed the decision and was turned down despite my qualifications,” she said.
While HCL policy “does not discourage student staff from being involved in other areas,” it does wish to ensure that any student holding the RA position will make it a top priority among their other duties.
“We want students to succeed academically and also be effective in their leadership endeavors,” Rothberg said. “However, we have a responsibility to our residential community to ensure that our RAs are not over-extended. With our intentionality in this area, it provides better care for our residents and better balance for our student leaders.”
Rosenblatt decided to remain an RA for sophomores on Greek Row in Morgan and give up her role as Senior Class President after a financial evaluation.
“The primary reason was financial,” Rosenblatt said. “My family has faced some large medical bills in the past year, and the RA position includes a substantial financial incentive. I was not sure if I could continue at Pepperdine without the RA position. I also know that as an RA, I would still have further opportunities to continue my involvement with SGA.”
Since Rosenblatt’s resignation, the leadership title was offered to runner-up Tiffany Saulnier. Saulnier declined the invitation due to several other time-constraining obligations. She is the Vice President of Administration for her sorority, Delta Delta Delta, the Assistant Director of Dance in Flight and the Finance/ Public Relations Chairman for the Student Programming Board.
“I have encouraged [Rosenblatt] to consider doing something else in SGA,” said SGA President Andy Canales. “She is a very valuable member of SGA.”
The senior class president is in charge of “leading the senate, planning the execution of class events and give-aways,” Canales said. “It takes a lot of time because of the leading and organizing.”
09-06-2007