New Position of Freshman Residential Life Coordinator Created
By. Ashley Brauning

New to the campus this year is the position of Freshman Residential Life Coordinator. Whenever hearing about this new position you will surely hear the name Roberta Payne accompanying it. Roberta was offered this position as a way to help coordinate all aspects of campus living in the traditional freshman residence halls at Lake Superior State University. This position oversees all of the residents in both Brady and Osborn Halls as well as the fourteen Resident Advisors that are on duty in the halls. This full time position was created in hopes that it would help maximize the retention of first year students living on campus in the residence halls. Robertas position entails many different responsibilities. She is looked to in order to provide leadership, encouragement as well as positive role modeling not only for her residents and her resident advisors but also for everybody in both Osborn and Brady Halls. When a discipline concern may arise form either of the freshman residence halls, Roberta serves as first tier judicial hearing officer. Roberta has two offices, one in each of the houses, which she is required to spend a minimum of two hours in each so that she has the opportunity to be close to the residents that she oversees. She also provides rotating weekend on-call duty with the other Campus Life staff members. Roberta lives on campus in a dorm in the Osborn Lobby. This was another measure that was taken to help to provide for professional support as well as on-call assistance for any after hour emergencies that may occur. When asked what Robertas favorite part of her new job was she responded that it was having the opportunity to work with students and being able to live where the students and resident advisors live.  She also recommends to all freshmen to always take academics seriously because they are your first priority, get involved in student activities, and build relationships with as many different people as you can. One last word of advice from Roberta is to make the most of time, because it will fly by before you know it. This new position looks hopeful that it will greatly help freshmen to feel more comfortable when starting the new and exciting journey through college.
