Undergraduate to supervise Stafford

By John Henry

Published Feb. 22, 2008

For the third time in its history, the Department of Residential Life will appoint an undergraduate student as a residence hall coordinator in the fall.

Junior Danica Pape was selected to be the Stafford residence hall coordinator to address a short-term need within the department.

Residential Life Director Frankie Minor said the Stafford hall coordinator position was given to an undergraduate student because the hall will likely operate as a residence hall for only one more year. The department felt a long-term appointment to the position was not needed, he said.

“Stafford is a pretty small hall compared to what we generally ask our residence hall coordinators to run,” Minor said. “Most of our full-time hall coordinators will come here for anywhere from two to four years, whereas our planned usage for Stafford may be limited to the next academic year.”

Minor also said Pape would be able to understand the students she supervises a little bit more then a normal full-time residence hall coordinator would.

“I think that by having an undergraduate hall coordinator, they are a little more in touch or in tune with what the MU undergraduate experience is like,” Minor said.

Pape, whose major is social work, said she is looking forward to working in her new role.

“I am very excited about this opportunity,” Pape said. “I also think it is a great stepping stone to other opportunities, and I feel very fortunate to be in this position.”

Pape is currently a community adviser and desk supervisor in Jones Hall. She said she feels her work in those positions has given her the experience she needs to deal with residence hall issues.

“It has definitely helped me know what incoming freshmen and sophomores really need,” Pape said. “I think that will definitely help me relate to my staff, since I can honestly say I have been there and done what they do.”

Jackie Schneller, the coordinator for North and Center residence halls, said residence hall coordinators have a number of different daily responsibilities. They are expected to work closely with students as well as deal with administrative tasks.

“Our job is usually a different adventure everyday,” Schneller said.

She said Pape would likely gain a lot of experience from her new job, which she will be able to take into the workforce after college.

“After she finishes undergrad, she will probably have a job where she will be supervising her peers,” Schneller said. “So this will give her really good experience in supervising people of her own age.”

Pape said she interviewed for the job after people within the department recommended her for it. She will be Stafford’s coordinator for only a year because she expects to graduate in May 2009.

MU will not continue to appoint undergraduate students as residence hall coordinators on an annual basis, Minor said. He said in the future, undergraduate students will only be appointed when the right situations arise.

“It is not a permanent plan for us, but as the circumstances continue to present that opportunity and we continue to have good experiences, I think we will continue to look at it,” Minor said.