Students behind the Residence Halls
By: Natalia Carden
Many may not know this, but aside from the outstanding Resident Assistants in the residence halls, there is another behind the Housing and Res Life Organization.
This organization has been established for over 25 years and is known as the Residence Hall Association or RHA. They are a Senate recognized organization and the second largest student governing body on campus. RHA is made up of hall council members from each of the residence halls, with an executive board of 10 students and 3 advisors.
The executive board positions have the typical President (Amanda Kemmerling), Vice President (Ryan Wingler), Treasurer (Corey Livelsberger), and Secretary (Kaelin Lynott). They also have unique positions such as Public Relations (Kayla Bethea), National Communications Coordinator (Savannah Brosky), National Residence Hall Honorary Chancellor (Joe Devlin), Director of Community Development (Natalia Carden), and 2 Senator Liaisons (Maria Castillo and Chris Windbeck).
On the Residence Hall Association website, which can be found on Ship.edu, it states that they are “a governing and programming board that represents residential students. Members of RHA are those that hold executive positions in their individual hall councils and come together as a collective body.” In an interview, I talked with the executive board members to gain more insight on the organization.
The executive members explained what it meant to be a part of RHA and what they strive to do. They said their basis is that they are a “student advocacy group for on campus living,” with this they try to provide support and build community for the students on campus, while also “giving them a chance to have a voice within the residence halls.” To do this, they hold “Presidents Hour” meetings almost monthly, where officials from different departments and even the President himself, Jody Harpster, meet and talk with the students and listen to their questions and concerns that they may have.
The building community focus is met by programing campus wide events to bring all the halls together to enjoy the fun and to have the hall councils working together as well. Events in the past have been Nightmare in Mowery, Mocktail Mixoff (which will be occurring again this year, March 24th @7pm), and many more.
Curious as to how to become a member of the Residence Hall Association? “Requirements are to live in one of the residence halls and join that hall council to be a member of the governing body.”
Here are upcoming events!
Mocktail Mixoff March 24th at 7pm in the CUB MPR
Arbor Day Tree Planting April 249th @10am till 1pm
Members of the executive board and 2 of the 3 advisors. Starting from the closest person, then to the left, wrap around. Natalia Carden, Maria Castillo, Amanda Kemmerling, Joe Devlin, Jen Milburn, Anette Melendez, Corey Livelsberger, Chris Windbeck, Kayla Bethea, Kaelin Lynott, Ryan Wingler. (Missing Savannah Brosky and Keeyana Talley.)
For more information email them at RHA@ship.edu.