For a Resident Director (RD) at Waynesburg University, the job goes beyond just living in the dorms.

Bailey Thorn, RD of South, West, East and Pollock Halls, acts as the overseer for four dorms along with on-campus houses. Additionally, Thorn works in Student Services and is a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes on campus.

For most RDs, the job stops there, but a year ago Thorn added ‘mother’ to her job description.

“I knew that an RD life would give me a unique opportunity to live and work at the same place,” said Thorn. “I always loved that idea.”

Ryley, Bailey’s son, was born late February a year ago, and following his birth, went home – to Waynesburg University.

Despite the unique circumstance of raising a newborn in a dormitory setting, Thorn said it is not completely unheard of. Furthermore, Thorn said Waynesburg University was more than willing to accept the new member of her family.

“[The university] responded really well to it,” said Thorn. “Chris Hardie [assistant dean of Student Services] said ‘alright!’ Hardie is really good with rolling with whatever you throw at him and being really flexible and adaptable – he never seemed worried about it at all.”

Thorn has served the past four years as an RD at Waynesburg University. However, she is originally from Tennessee. Thorn said she made her way to western Pennsylvania in pursuit of a Master’s Degree in higher education, but it wasn’t until she started working as an assistant coach for Geneva College that Waynesburg University caught her eye.

“When I was doing my grad work at [Geneva College] I was an assistant coach for the cross country and track teams there,” said Thorn. “So [through athletics] I got to know [Waynesburg University] a little bit and got to know the athletes and coaches. Waynesburg was on my radar.”

At the time, though, no residence life positon was open in the area so she spent a year working for Panera Bread in Morgantown, West Virginia. Finally, in the spring of 2013, a position opened and Thorn was accepted at Waynesburg University.

All along, Thorn said she knew she wanted to experience what it would be like to raise a family in an on-campus setting.

“I always sort of knew I wanted to at least see what it was like to have a family and be a residence director at the same time,” said Thorn. “It’s been really fun, especially because the RAs know [Ryley] really well. Now that he is walking everywhere, it is really fun to walk down the hallway to do laundry and pass by students, pass by staff working, people coming in and out and they all say ‘hi’ to him and they are all friendly and warm and he loves it.”

Despite the many benefits of working and living in the same location as her son, Thorn said she knew there would also be difficulties.

“I knew it would be difficult,” said Thorn. “Especially when I get phone calls in the middle of the night to respond to an emergency with a student in the hospital or something and having to leave [Ryley] – to whisper in my husband’s ear ‘pay attention to the monitor, I have to go to the hospital, I’ll be back before you leave for work.’”

Having to manage multiple dormitories and RAs, along with Ryley, Thorn said her attentiveness is more widely spread.

“It’s hard to focus on only one person when now I’m constantly thinking [about Ryley],” said Thorn. “I wouldn’t say worry, but there is always that concern with what’s going on, how he’s doing.”

No longer having consistent privacy with students, said Thorn, has not been a problem, as most students look forward to seeing Ryley.

“Not to have a separate space from my son while I’m meeting with students sometimes can be a challenge, but it is a challenge I could easily fix if my RAs wanted one-on-one time with just me,” said Thorn. “I’ve told them, ‘just let me know and I’ll get a baby sitter or something and we can get off campus and talk somewhere.’ Most times [students] really have so much joy about seeing Ryley and playing with him that it’s almost like he’s a little puppy that helps destress their lives.”

In May, Thorn’s seasonal job with the university will come to an end, and after four years, Thorn said she will be leaving Waynesburg University.

“One year I hope to come back [to Waynesburg University,] but my husband and I recently just bought property,” said Thorn. “We’re building a home and we are just looking to transition out during this time, knowing how hard it has been for me to focus both on my son and my students, that has been a hard part so we just feel like it is probably time for somebody to step in who can focus on the students really well.”

Following her departure from the university, Thorn said she will divert her attention towards developing her photography hobby into a business, as well as raising her family. After being an RD for the past four years, Thorn said the change will be bittersweet.

“I feel like a senior in a lot of ways,” said Thorn. “I am sad to leave a place that I love and a lot of people that I love, but I am excited for what is next in that transition and a new stage of life for my new family.”