Lagniappe

Lagniappe?  I know a lot of my post have been French-inspired.  But that's what I'm around down here, so get used to it.  Anyway, lagniappe.  Pronounced LAN-yap.  It means "something extra".  There is a station in the LBC (student union) called Lagniappe.  It's the hot food station.  They'll serve you meatloaf and mashed potatoes, fried fish, fried chicken and the like.  Southern food...soul food.  Anyway.  They are known to throw in a little extra food from time to time.  You know, lagniappe.  This is commonplace here. You don't have to ask for it, though you can.  And in the end you win, because you get more food!  You know I love it!  Pause. So you pay 4.99 (or whatever) for two pieces of fish and a side, but you walk away we three pieces of fish and a mammoth side.  I feel like I hit the jackpot!  But, no...I lagniappe'd. Unpause.

So turning this idea on its ear.  In ResLife we ask out student staff members to give 110%.  Sometimes we ask them to do the best they can with the resources they have in the time given.  But in the end we are expect major results.  We're asking for lagniappe.  In addition to the stellar job they do, we want them to be the best.  My summer internship here at Tulane is all about RA training and selection and recruitment.  I LOVE TRAINING.  There's nothing more exciting than a room full of excited returning RAs and excitedly nervous new RAs.  This is where lagniappe begins.  The students aren't going to ask for it, but you darn sure better give it to them.

Our training processes are so long.  We take anywhere from a week to two weeks training our RAs on policy and procedures. Pause. Not saying the time isn't necessary.  What other job will you have that gives you a week to learn from professionals, other co-workers, outside consultants? Unpause.  We invite in guest speakers, show movies, go on retreats all so our student staff members know how to do their job, efficiently and effectively.

Here's where mistakes are made.  Some schools pick impressive and ostentatious themes.  They make sure everything is themed, from bedknob to broomstick.  While the actual training aspect is lackluster, they think it's great but it never is.  Other schools focus intensely on the training aspect, and themes are minimal.  Sessions last two hours because they want to make sure every question is answered.  All the while, RAs are droopy-eyed and tired. Neither of these are ideal.  Once you begin the school year with these types of trainings you will see gaps in job performance.  You can't ask for lagniappe if you haven't given the students 100% in training and orientation.

Training at 100% means you not only touched every aspect of the RA job, but you also realized your audience.  You asked RAs/HMs/DAs about their past, present, and future experiences.  You took heed of their advice and made contingency plans for most situations.  You're will to scrap an idea during training if it means your student staffers will benefit.  Students need themes to get excited about training, and sessions need to be engaging, energetic, empathetic, and timely.  You can use the theme to make the policy and procedure talk more bearable for returning staff members, and more memorable for new staff members. If planning training is easy...maybe you're doing it wrong.  It takes time.  Like with any good diet, all things in moderation...and occasionally...Lagniappe.

Paix,

PTJ