Proctors at Williston are selected to be leaders and role models around campus. After an application and interview processes, junior and senior proctors are chosen by deans, teachers, and dorm heads.

A proctor’s individual duties vary depending on if he or she is a boarding student or a day student, the dorm they are placed in, and their grade level. Sideya Dill ’16, a proctor in Memorial Hall West, says, “As a boarder I have official duty once a week where I help the teacher on duty run study hall.” She adds, “But the job never really stops in the dorm. You are the eyes for the dorm parent because they cannot be everywhere at once.”

When asked about a boarding proctor’s duties, Dill says, “We are required to go around to all the rooms twice, once at the beginning of study hall and once in the middle.” She continues, “We have to make sure that phones are outside the door, that everyone is doing what they are supposed to, and that it is nice and quiet.”

The age group that a boarding student proctor is assigned to can influence a proctor’s individual duties. J.J. Celantano ’16, a proctor in Ford Hall, reflecting on his experiences proctoring 194 and Ford Hall, says, “Last year in 194 it was a lot of work making sure students were in the dorm and during study hall. I had to keep freshman boys on task.”

Celantano says, “In Ford it is a lot different because most of these guys have been at Williston before and know what they need to do in order to complete their work.” Celantano adds, “[In 194] I gave points for many reasons: messy rooms, late to check-ins, not doing homework or swearing in the dorm.” He notes, “This year I have not given a single point.”

The dorms at Williston use a “point system” to ensure that everyone follows the rules of the dorm. If a student breaks a dorm rule, such as forgetting to check in, brushing teeth past curfew, or keeping a messy room, he or she is given a “point,” which is administered by dorm parents or proctors. If a student receives three points, he or she has to serve a room confinement on a weekend night.

Most, if not all proctors in Mem. West have yet to give out points to girls. “I am not a strict proctor,” says Julie Lord ’16, another proctor in Mem. West. “If students miss their phones or did not clean up, I give them a warning and say that they should just make sure that they have their phones out and room cleaned before the dorm parent shows up and gives out a point,” she adds.

A large part of a boarding student’s proctor duties involve rule enforcement. Danielle Grant ’16, a proctor in Mem. West, says, “I’ve realized the best way to deal with misbehavior is to not be too aggressive or act like too much of an authority but to just instead ask nicely.” She adds, “That works for me almost all the time.”

However, a day student’s proctor duties are geared more towards helping new students and acting as a role model around campus. Vivien Shao ’16 says, “[Day student proctors] help orient new students and how to help make the Williston community closer.”

Shao notes that the majority of a day student proctor’s responsibilities take place at the start of school. She says, “Other than orientation in the first week of school, we don’t get assigned much work.” However, Vivien indicates that the most important role of a day student proctor is his or her “involvement in the community, especially as juniors and seniors.”

Nate Gordon ’16, a day student proctor says, “As someone who has been at Williston for five years, I enjoy being someone who others look to when they need help or guidance. I’m a student who others can come to if they need help with anything on campus.”

Day student proctors have fewer requirements mid-year. Gordon says, “My biggest responsibilities occurred at the beginning of the school year when I helped welcome new students to Williston and create a welcoming environment.”

However, Gordon says, “The deans also call on us proctors to lead projects that should be taken on by students.”

Other than benefiting their resumes and college applications, many proctors applied for the position for the experience. “I get to know everyone in the dorm on a personal level which I really enjoy,” says Grant. Being a proctor at Williston is an honor and a privilege that comes with a wide range of duties.