News Brief

Res Life changes CRO Program's name to improve image

In an effort to streamline dorm staff programs, the Residential Life department approved a minor change aimed at redefining the work of Community Resident Organizers (CRO's). Program Assistants (PA's) will replace CRO's next year.

The name change will reflect a slight shift in focus for the position, which will require more integration with the dorm governance council.

According to Area Coordinator Jill Medina, the change comes partly in response to the long range planning goal of developing a residential college as a co-curricular learning environment.

Residential Life first heard the proposal to change the position over Spring Break and it was approved Thursday. In addition to the goal changes, the term Program Assistant is widely used outside of Oberlin to refer to the work done by Oberlin CRO's.

"Outside of Oberlin, CRO's don't exist," Medina said. "Program Assistant is something that exists in the outside world."

The positions are open to current residents of dorms and program houses. According to the job description, applicants should "have demonstrated involvement in, support of, and respect toward the community in which they live."

"As a CRO in 1985, we didn't have anything to do. The position has so much potential and this is my attempt at having it go to the potential it can," Medina said.

by Abby Person