Life of a night host

By Jonathan McFadden
mcfaddenj@thejohnsonian.com

Osman Ali has a very serious job.

During the late hours of the night, he watches over several hundred residents while they’re most vulnerable.

From the hours of 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., Ali watches security monitors, loans out lock out keys and makes sure that everyone in the building is using the correct entrances and exits.

He is a night host in the Courtyard and, despite the peculiar hours, he enjoys his job.

He said he meets all kinds of interesting people at all hours of the night.

When Ali first started the job, he said he fell asleep in several of his classes.

“Falling asleep during your classes and having your professor look at you the whole time, that’s not a good feeling…,” Ali said.

But he soon found his balance and began to take three-to-five hour naps before his shifts.

A cup of coffee and a little Red Bull now and again also help, Ali said.

Miranda Knight, resident learning coordinator for Thomson Hall, said that night hosts have some different responsibilities than office hosts.

Knight said that night hosts are taught how to respond in certain emergency situations, such as a fire.
    
With emergency situations, Knight made it known that the safety of the night hosts is just as important.

 “I’m not going to say that you [night hosts] need to run out on the street and tell people there’s a tornado,” Knight said. “I need you [night hosts] to be safe too.”

Night hosts are expected to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, act professionally and stay late and return early during breaks.

Marlene Ellis, a junior general communication disorders major, works as a night host in Lee Wicker and also as a day host. She said the job is not as easy as some may think it looks.

Night hosts are responsible for making sure that everyone in the residence halls is safe and comfortable. They also monitor the cameras, report any suspicious persons entering the building and handle noise complaints.
 
Ellis said the toughest part of the job is staying awake.
“I bring my homework,” Ellis said. “I’ve discovered some networks on the Internet where I can watch TV, or I’ll bring a movie or listen to music.”

Still, Ellis said homework and TV are second priority. When it comes to her job, customer service is first and foremost.

Ellis said the Department of Residence Life has made some changes to make sure that all employees are on top of their game, including a department wide training.

For this semester, she made sure she had a gap in between work and class so she can get a nap in before work.

Though she may be occasionally sleep deprived, Ellis said the money more than makes up for it.

Ellis, who also works at Harris Teeter, said the check she receives from her night host job is much better when compared to the check she receives from Harris Teeter because less taxes are taken out.

Night hosts are paid $8.25 an hour and are paid $1 extra if they work during the breaks. The night host’s hours are 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.     

Students who wish to become night hosts should log onto the Department of Residence Life Web page and download the online application.