RA and Resident Relationships
Casey is a Resident Advisor (RA) in a first year hall at James Madison University. Casey is a sophomore and before becoming an RA she was involved in James Madison’s drinking culture and therefore knew what the incoming freshman were going to be exposed to. Casey has created relationships throughout the hall with her residents but is very close to two residents, Amanda and Liz. Amanda and Liz are roommates and are very involved on campus including both being a part of the club volleyball team. Casey goes to lunch or dinner with one or both of them frequently, they attend all her programs, and speak highly about Casey whenever asked.
One Friday night Casey is on duty...
(Duty hours are from 8 pm to 2 am on weekends and include being available in the office and duty tours. Duty tours occur every two hours and are designed to monitor the safety of the residents by checking every floor, bathroom, study lounge, and TV lounge in the building)
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While on her 12:00 am tour, as Casey reached her hall she heard loud music. As she further investigated it was coming from further down the hall near Amanda and Liz’s room.
As Casey approaches, Liz comes out of her room. Liz is clearly intoxicated, she looks disheveled, smells of alcohol and is not walking in a straight line. Liz approaches Casey and says, “I need your help, but I can't get in trouble.” Casey simply asks, “What is going on?” Liz starts to describe their night. Although the two of them have a history of drinking, this night seemed unlike any other. Liz discloses, that Amanda had been vomiting for over an hour now. Concerned, Casey asks to enter the room.
When Casey enters the room, she finds Amanda lying on her side. Casey approaches Amanda and asks Amanda if she is alright. Amanda neither responds nor opens her eyes. Casey then calls Amanda’s name repeatedly with no response. Casey asks Liz what happened that night. Liz explains that her and Amanda had gone to a party and Amanda had drank the “jungle juice”. Liz said she brought Amanda home shortly after that drink because Amanda started acting strange. Once back in the dorm Liz said Amanda could not walk and as soon as they got back to the room Amanda began to vomit. It had been about an hour since Liz and Amanda returned to the dorm. Casey tells Liz that the ambulance may be called to come get Amanda because of her condition. Liz pleads with Casey, "Please don't call the police, my mom would kill me and Amanda already has a strike. She's fine she's just sleeping now."
Casey then turns her attention back to Amanda. This time she was responsive. Casey begins asking her a series of questions. Casey first asks, “Do you know where you are?” Amanda responds with slurred speech but direct eye contact, “Yes, I’m in my room.” Casey asks Amanda to describe the night and as she does so she can’t seem to keep her head up and during pauses in the story her eyes roll back in her head slightly. Casey then asks what day is it. Amanda hesitates and Liz jumps in, “It’s Saturday now, she knows that right Amanda?” “Please let Amanda answer the questions,” Casey responds. Casey asks Amanda how she’s feeling and Amanda says that she feels better now that she has finished vomiting. Casey then asks if Amanda feels she needs medical attention. Amanda responds no. Casey knows that if the ambulance is called this minor alcohol violation would turn into a major alcohol violation resulting in more or harsher consequences from the university if she is transported. Casey asks Amanda again if she wants or feels she needs medical attention. Amanda responds no, that she feels much better now and just thinks she needs to sleep it off. Liz buts in and says that she can take care of Amanda that night instead of her going to the hospital but, Casey feels uneasy about that because Liz is still showing signs of intoxication.
Casey is now faced with a decision:
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To call the ambulance or to simply leave the room and document the incident?