While the dorms were flocked with heart-shaped cookies and flowers on Monday, a different kind of love was shown for Resident Advisors.

The RAs’ mailboxes were stuffed with pencils and candy not from their secret admirer but from the Office of Resident Life as part of RA Recognition Week.

Continuing through Friday, the third annual Recognition Week tries to encourage on-campus residents to show their RAs how much they appreciate their hard work, said Pam Peter, chair of the RA training and Development Committee. In all, 146 RAs live in student housing.

‘It’s a job you get used to doing. It’s great to have this week when the people you work for, the people you work with and the people on your floor do nice little things out of the ordinary,’ said Bridget Matty, a senior communication and rhetorical studies major and RA in Lawrinson Hall.

Throughout the week, hall councils and resident directors will hang banners around the residence halls asking students to show their gratitude. Slide shows running in Schine Student Center will show some of what RA’s do at training, on the job or just having fun. Letters will also be sent home to let parents know how hard their son or daughter is working as an RA, Peter said.

Matty said a big part of the RA job is doing things that people don’t necessarily see – preparatory work for programs, bulletin boards or administrative work.

‘It sounds stupid but these things take a lot of time,’ she said.

Residents don’t always realize how much the RAs do trying to make everyone feel at home where they live, said Amy Wiggins, resident director for Shaw Hall.

‘It’s a good idea, but it shouldn’t just be focused in only one week, the RAs should get recognized every day,’ Wiggins said.

Wiggins said she hopes all residents take the time during the year to thank their RA and if they haven’t yet, that they take the initiative this week.

Between planning programs, trying to cater to residents’ needs, talking and listening to residents, connecting them to campus and just being a general role model, RAs have a demanding job.

‘I hope they enjoy this week and see that people care about them,’ she said. ‘A lot of times residents think it’s some one else’s job to appreciate RAs – I hope they take this time to thank them.’