The first BUTI Dining Services breakfast was great and had plenty of options. Immediately following this meal, the staff gathered to discuss the BUTI Summer 2011 Lifebook, a guide packet explaining all of the procedures, rules, terms, and information regarding every aspect of the BUTI community. All of the new RAs read through it silently in the library and then the SRAs took care of any questions or clarification that needed to be addressed. Even though it could be boring reading through so much information and so many regulations, all of the RAs learned a great deal of important information to be effective and efficient in their jobs. After the morning of paperwork, we grabbed lunch outside at the Welcome BBQ for BUTI staff.
Business continued after lunch in the cafeteria. We first covered contact lists, students' hometowns, and institute funding with Lisa Naas, the Director of Operations & Student Life. Unfortunately no one from my home state of Alaska is attending. It was great to learn that during this summer, BUTI will have the most funding it has ever received from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Fortunately, this increase in funding equates to more scholarships for admitted BUTI students. The recent economy, harsh weather incidents, and personal issues have caused financial issues for many admitted BUTI students.
Despite these hardships, BUTI wants all of its admitted students to reap the benefits of networking and developing in such a great summer music festival. After our discussion with Lisa Naas, Alexis Benson, the Assistant Director of Student Life, conversed with us about job responsibilities and expectations between him and the 10 new RAs. Some important points we discussed regarding this matter were:
Mentor
Role-Model
Guide
Cheerleader
Friendly, but not a friend
Communication
Provider of options, opportunities, expression, expectations, and clarity for students
Inclusiveness
Punctuality
Availability
Peacemaker
Accountable
Refraining from using foul language
During the summer the RAs will have to fill out weekly reports and meet with Alexis Benson 1-on-1 once a week to discuss the general and specific aspects of how the RA job is developing. My main concern is handling disciplinary issues with returning students who were my friends last summer at BUTI when I was a student as well. RA Housing decisions were made later that afternoon with each floor in each house being assigned two co-RAs. Even though I was not chosen for Groton Place, my previous BUTI summer floor, I was selected to Lenox floor #1 and look forward to being exposed to a new living environment.
Dinner tonight was Taco Night!
After a solid flute practice session, I met with the other new RAs around 8pm to play Taboo! We played two very intense, hard-fought games. Afterwards, everyone decided it was bedtime.
Until tomorrow, good night & good music!
June 10, 2011
Today I woke up early to workout and go on a bike ride around the Berkshires before breakfast. As much as it hurt to wake up around 6:30am, the trip was well-worth the sacrifice of sleep. I saw many amazing and interesting scenes during my ride. The only annoyance, besides a back tire that was a little flat, was riding through construction on the road. Even though I left the city of Boston just last week, I could not escape summer construction.
After a roughly 40min bike ride, I enjoyed a large breakfast in the dining hall. During the staff business of the day, we discussed the internal policies of personal cell phone usage, BUTI cell phone usage, staff vehicles, and parking. After business, we discussed preparations for a scavenger hunt to happen tomorrow! Later in the day most of the BUTI staff went to an awesome ropes course in the area. There we first participated in fun activities focusing on teamwork, coordination, respect, and communication. Then we moved on to the ropes course after a short snack break. Whether individuals participated in the course or not, everybody encouraged each other through this physical activity, which required balance and strength. Dinner was next on the agenda after a very exhausting day of outdoors activity. Rather than eat back at the BUTI dining facility on campus, we decided to eat out at Arizona Pizza Company, a local grill and bar. Lisa Naas, the Director of Operations & Student Life stopped by at the end of our meal to take care of the bill and give us some unfortunate news.
While the contractor crew was working on campus to remove trees damaged by the stormy weather, one of the members cut through a power line underground, providing the campus with land line phone service and internet. It is hoped that this issue can be resolved over the weekend.
Until tomorrow, good night & good music!
June 11, 2011
Today I slept in until 11am and enjoyed ever minute. After brunch, I practiced flute for a little bit. A little after noon, a few of the RAs and I went into town to use the internet at the Lenox Coffee cafe. It was awesome to actually have access to a fast internet connection for the first time since I was in Boston. We spent about an hour there before returning back to pick up our keys for assigned rooms around campus. Due to rainy conditions, the scavenger hunt was called off and a group of us decided to go to the Premium Outlets Mall in Lee, MA. Alexis Benson, the Assistant Director of Student Life, drove us over in his car. In addition, there was a Lindt European chocolates store that I could not resist. By the time we returned to campus, it was time for dinner.
Afterwards, I had time for a solid flute session before everyone piled into the vans to go to a late showing of the movie "Bridesmaids" at the mall in Pittsfield, MA. We returned around midnight and everyone was ready for bed! Hopefully moving into my BUTI room for the summer goes well in the morning.
Until tomorrow, good night & good music!
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