RAs on probation: freedom of speech in MC Residence Life

Following the events of the death of Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing figure, two Resident Assistants (RAs) were placed on probation after sharing posts on social media with their own celebratory reactions to his death. One such post was a meme with the news source declaring his death, paired with a jumping animation. 

Austin McKee (‘26), one of the RAs on probation, saw a sense of irony in Kirk’s death, saying that he was a white supremacist who constantly downplayed the effects of school shootings. He mentioned how Kirk believed that some gun deaths were worth it to keep Second Amendment rights, and it was ironic that he died due to gun violence. 

According to Kendra Young (‘27), the other RA on probation, some students allegedly presented these posts to Residence Life via email, claiming that they were uncomfortable with these views among RAs, despite none of the students being residents in buildings in which McKee and Young are RAs. The posts were also shared on YikYak, showing the post and both RAs names.

RAs have expected responsibilities that go along with their positions. A warning may be given to an RA for a minor infraction, such as missing staff meetings or turning in door decorations late. 

In the event of multiple warnings or a more severe infraction, an RA may be placed on short-term or long-term probation, in which another infraction can lead to their termination. 

Alex McCullough, director of community standards & associate director of residence life, explained this process, listing the levels of the accountability process as: verbal warning in August as RAs get their footing, written warning, professional development, short-term probation of three months, long-term probation of one year, and lastly, termination of position.

“Depending on the incident in question, the Residence Life Office reserves the right to initiate any level of the accountability process, as there is no specific order of the outcomes,” McCullough said.

“Probation can be given to students who have repeated warnings for procedural violations or to students whose actions negatively impacted their relationship with their residents, their team dynamics, or the overall living environment,” McCullough said. “Probation is typically reserved for behavior that impacts trust, professionalism or the well-being of others.”

In this situation, both RAs were placed immediately into long-term probation, despite neither McKee nor Young having any prior infractions or receiving any warnings.

An anonymous student associated with Residence Life believed that warning and short term probation were skipped because Residence Life considered this situation to be an immediately fireable offense. The student also said that “the RA agreement is purposefully vague in order to leave open space for pro-staff to decide what we can and cannot do, in this case, what we can and cannot post. We were also not given explicit rules and dictations surrounding our social media.”

The student discussed the double standard that has been set, with certain students allowed to exercise freedom of speech, while others are censored for what they talk about and post on their social media accounts.

“I am expected to be okay with people being outward about their negative feelings towards women, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, trans people, etc.,” the student said. “But they [aren’t] okay with something that I might post that attacks their worth.”

“Freedom of speech is a two-way street, and right now it feels like one side is under [attack]. I think that it is a tricky situation to dictate whose feelings are valid or not, [and] to do so without rightful backlash.”

Both McKee and Young feel that the action taken against them was unfair and has affected their freedom of speech on the MC campus. 

“While the reason I was given for being on probation involved me celebrating the death of a public figure, which I will not deny I did, I have seen other RAs post in celebration of the bombing of innocent civilians in the Middle East,” McKee said. “Arguably, these other posts are far worse as they celebrate the death of thousands of individuals, including children.”

Young said she does not regret her posts. She is upset that other RAs get to post on their social media accounts freely, and there’s no clear line on what is acceptable to post and what is not.

“Residence Life professional staff do not monitor the social media of our Resident Assistants in any way. We also do not have specific policies that limit what RAs can post on social media,” McCullough said. “However, RAs are viewed as role models and beacons of student support.”

“I feel like I cannot post anything at all,” Young said. “I have turned my account completely private, restricting most of the viewers from my story, and constantly feel like I am looking over my shoulder. It feels terrible to know as a minority on this campus, I have to be quiet while so many, especially white, straight students and RAs get to speak freely without consequence.”

McKee discussed the hypocrisy he has seen on campus following these events. While Kirk was a self-proclaimed champion of free speech, using his platform to share his belief that everyone should proudly exercise their right to free speech, his supporters immediately tried to get McKee fired from his position for exercising his own First Amendment right. 

His Instagram account was private and not associated with MC, and McKee said he had seen other RA’s post similar or even more offensive things on their accounts. He discussed the financial importance of having an RA position. Due to the discounted housing it provides, it makes attendance possible for many students. McKee, as well as many other RA’s, feel conflicted in how to share their opinions without fear of termination. 

“At the end of the day, freedom of speech exists, and as adults, we should be allowed to post what we believe in on our social media pages without fear of being silenced or punished,” the anonymous student said.

Austin McKee (‘26) holding up a copy of The Highland Echo, with his article in the spotlight. (Photo Courtesy of Jacey Goetzinger.)