OTM Award

Month and Year: March 2009

Nominee’s School: UNC Wilmington
Region: SAACURH
Category: Community
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Nominee: Schwuites RA Staff Nominator: Chris Pierce
Address: 601 S. College Road Address: 601 S. College Road
Phone: Phone: 910-962-6556
E-Mail: smedala@uncw.edu E-Mail: cap1131@uncw.edu
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On-Campus Population: 3,100
Chapter Size: 31
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Description of Contribution:

The Schwuites Resident Assistant staff consists of the three RAs from Schwartz Hall and
seven RAs from the University Suites. As well, there is a Residence Coordinator and an
Assistant Residence Coordinator that supervises the staff. The term “Schwuites” comes
from combining “Schwartz” with “Suites”.

In the month of March, the Schwuites staff has truly come into its own. From the
beginning of the year up until this point, the Schwuites staff has been strong. However,
in March, they truly demonstrate exceptional abilities and have risen to new heights in
accomplishments. They are easily deserving of community of the month for March
because of their continued dedication to their residents and their ability to work well
together.

The Schwuites staff could easily be used as a model for all Resident Assistant staffs.
They are dedicated to their residents by consistently being around to provide assistance.
As well, the Schwuites staff has put on or planned several quality programs in March for
the residents. For instance, the Schwuites staff is in the process of presenting the annual
“Lazy Day Lawn Party” which gives the residents an opportunity to enjoy the weather
and kick-back during the often stressful end of the year months. Activities at this
program include gigantic inflatables, tye-dye, games, contests, and great music. The
Schwuites staff’s dedication to the residents extends outside of their living area as well.
A prime example is this past Saturday, March 28th, when the Schwuites RAs helped
another residence hall give tours for prospective students. Hundreds of students came to
these tours, and the Schwuites staff’s presence made the crowd manageable.

Often in groups the term of “efficiency” is tossed around as being valuable. The
Schwuites staff embodies this term to the fullest extent. They work well together easily
recognizing when it is better to delegate tasks to individuals or work together in groups.
If someone on the staff is stressed out or can’t make a time commitment, another staff
member will quickly help them out. This was the case at several points during March.
Additionally, they interact with each other outside of the work setting. At least once a
week in March, the Schwuites staff ate dinner together to catch up which demonstrates
how strong their bond really is to each other. Also, the Schwuites staff had a Friday night
gathering this March with the RAs that will work in the area for next year. This
opportunity offered by the Schwuites staff, gave the soon-to-be RAs a nice way to learn
about their responsibilities next year and it will help make their transition easier.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to nominate the Schwuites RA staff for
Community of the Month in March. They are truly a remarkable group of people that
completely represent the concept of synergy the sum of all the parts is greater than each
individual by itself. They are deserving of the Community of the Month Award for the
month of March.

Word count: 494

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