As much fun as we students have here at our dear Langston university, sometimes we also experience “uh ohs.” Some are controllable; others maybe not, but when those “uh ohs” occur, the residential assistants are the first on call; they really are the Robins to our Batmans. Now some issues are silly: maybe you got locked out of your room or are arguing with a roommate, but the silliest issues of all are MAINTENANCE ISSUES.
*LOUD DRAMATIC GASP*
So what do you do? FOCUS UP! Let’s get serious and pay attention! I call this; “How to get the good Ish.” If you want to solve your maintenance issue and still be “manner-able,” listen closely.
- Place your maintenance order and list all your current and potential concerns when it comes to your unit on the Belfor Maintenance QR code usually placed on the back of the units entrance door. This form is then automatically sent and seen by the residential graduate assistant or GA for short.
- Once the GA sees the order, he/she then manually transfers the form request to the Belfor Maintenance order log. “Move along with me, hope I’m not confusing you”. The order must be accepted by Belfor for the request to be started. After the order is accepted, a BELFOR worker therefore signs into the residential clubhouse to be aided to the residents’ unit by an available RA in office. If the resident is home, the RA is to notify the resident of the team and or individual who is working inside the area. Of course, if the resident is in fact not home then the unit is left dead-bolted open the Maintenance work is completed.
Following the completion of the work order, maintenance is supposed to do 3 KEY THINGS.
Lock – Take the deadbolt of the door and allow it to fully shut behind exiting the unit.
Notify -Via completion sheet left inside for the residents unit in order to see what repairs were made
Sign Out – of the clubhouse log sheet, this is to check what worker was in what room just to keep up organization and tracking which orders have been fully completed.
Listen, we all know things can get janky and it may feel like things weren’t done in a satisfactory way, so if it’s bothering you PLEASE SPARE YOUR RA, THEY’RE JUST A GIRL/BOY. They are concerned just as much as you are and their here to truly help.
DO: Handle every person with grace. “Calm communication is the Best Communication,”
DO: Ask questions! You are valued and any concern will be answered accordingly.
DO: Keep track. We’re entering into a scary world where we gots to do everything with receipts. They do come in handy, whether it’s a photo of a long-awaited issue or just a simple log of the issue you see not being fixed. Want a fast and proper fix? Have the receipts!
DO: BE PATIENT! The workers have lives and are human too, yes, it’s their job but they get tired and overwhelmed too. GIVE GRACE, but yes, still checkup. All in all, effective and efficient communication goes a LONG WAY!
Well, y’all, I’m going to get out y’all’s hair! I hope everything works out with your silly issue and I hope you can have fun again. IF NOT? Remember what I taught you!
Jordan Sinkfield
Jordan Sinkfield is a junior broadcast journalism major
