As RAs, one of the routines that we conduct every semester is the room verification, during which we will be going to each room to verify the biodata with the resident in that room. This act is to collate the information of all PGPR residents in case of emergency.
One serious infringement of house rule that we often encounter is that of 'illegal residents', i.e. 2 people living in the same room although only one of them is the registered resident in that room. (p.s. most of the rooms in PGPR are single-rooms) Such behavior is strictly prohibited as PGPR wants to promote a more conducive for residents to study and to rest.
One week before we conducted room verification, I received a call from one of my cluster leaders telling me that there were two girls living in the same room on her level. I managed to call the legal resident of that room, she sounded very defensive, insisting on that she had nothing to do with the girl whom she currently lived with. However, after I explained that I was just calling to offer help, she calmed down a bit and told me that her friend had already found another place to stay and would be leaving in 2 days.
One week later, when we conducted the room verification we found out that the illegal resident was still in the room. She spoke Chinese with our Resident Advisor (who was also a lecturer from NUS) loudly in an annoyed tone despite the fact that our Resident Advisor did not understand Chinese well. They had problem communicating and the conversation evolved into a quarrel afterwards.
After 10 minutes, the Resident Advisor came to me (as I was doing checking other rooms when they were quarreling) and passed me the biodata of that illegal resident. She demanded me to take immediate action.
What shall I do with the illegal and the legal resident of that room? o_O
6 comments on "Post 3: Illegal Resident"
Hey Tan Chen
I feel that you should give a warning to the legal resident. You could do random spot-checks on the legal resident and warn her that if she was caught to keep illegal residents again, she will have to face the consequence of being kicked out of the residence. By doing so, you will be giving her another chance and allowing her to change for the better.
Another more “cruel” way is to kick her out immediately. I feel that she is rather rude to the Resident Advisor despite the fact that she is in the wrong. She should not raise her voice at the advisor but to explain nicely to the advisor since she is in the wrong. As for the illegal resident, I feel that the only way would be to ask her to leave the place immediately. If that illegal resident is also staying in another hall, you could ask her hall to give her warnings and punish her accordingly.
Hi Tan Chen,
It was good that you offered to give your help and advice to the legal resident the first time you spoke to her, instead of taking action against her immediately. It would have put her at more ease so as to be able to confide in you. It is important to hear out the person first, so as to hear his side of the story. The tone and pitch of one’s voice is important in a conversation, and it was not right of the resident to speak loudly and in an annoyed tone to the advisor, as it will aggravate the advisor who was only trying to carry out her duties.
Since you already gave the resident a chance to ask her friend to leave, and she did not choose to take your advice, giving her a warning letter or some penalty may be more effective in solving the problem. As for the illegal resident, an advisor who knows Chinese better may be asked to speak to her so that communication problems will not be a hindrance. Her problem can be found out and alternative housing can be arranged for her.
Hey Tan Chen,
The girls sound like they are in the wrong and definitely shouldn't have shouted at the Resident Advisor.
But I guess the illegal resident might really be in a spot with regards to her accomadation and stressed out about it. I think it's nice that you offered to help her and I'd ask them another time, then offer some relevant help if possible. Being overseas without proper accomadation is a scary thing, but I guess there's a job to be done as well. I would try to be understanding when speaking, but be sure to be firm that she needs to leave PGPR.
Hi Tan Chen,
I think the girl is wrong to be rude to the Resident Advisor who gave her a chance. (But maybe she was too nervous) It will be better for you to talk with them again. Perhaps, they are also busy with solving this problem and this illegal resident is leaving soon. If not, you have to warn this legal resident of being punished and make them realize the seriousness of this problem.
Anyway, if the two girls do not accept your suggestion and continue to live together, you have to give this legal resident warnings or some punishments.
(I have to figure out that the colour is dark and it is really hard for me to see your post clearly.)
Hey Tan Chen!
Firstly, I think you've been very nice and understanding by not taking any immediate action on the legal resident for housing another girl illegally. But since the other girl had not moved even a week after your first talk with the legal resident, good that you chose to talk to your Resident Advisor.
From what you have written, looks like the girl is mentally disturbed - she did not get scared but spoke rudely to your RA. So maybe you should try talking the legal resident and find out if the other girl has some serious problem. Accordingly, you can try talking to the authorities so the girl can stay for a few more days. But if that doesn't work, I think you should just urge the legal resident to find her friend another place as soon as possible (like in 2 days or so) and warn her that she could get a black mark for keeping an illegal resident. If the girl still doesn't leave, I suppose she will have to be moved forcefully :|
Krithika
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