For Lynn Chan, a 20-year-old nutrition major at Sacramento State University, it’s not her classes that occupy most of her time during the day or homework that keeps her up all night. Instead, as a resident advisor, or RA, in a large apartment-style dorm on campus, she says she sometimes spends more than 40 hours a week organizing events, mediating conflicts and otherwise tending to the needs of 56 fellow students.
“I really love being an RA and getting to help new residents build community, but the workload can be overwhelming,” said Chan, who gets free campus meals and university housing in exchange for her work. “We don’t get enough support.”
