RHA: Have a Say in Where You Stay

By: Melanie Sapienza
Posted In: News

Do you want more activities that involve several residence halls? Are you interested in making some changes to campus living? If the answers to these questions are yes, then you need to get involved in RHA. This acronym stands for Residence Hall Association, the organization on campus that could make a difference in your residence hall. This group is a nation wide organization run by students for the students. Members are there to listen to complaints and suggestions on how to make living on campus more fun and exciting for everyone.

This past October, RHA sponsored trick or treating events in two of the areas on campus for the children of the faculty and staff along with kids from the YMCA. According to Teresa Brown, the event went very well. The group also worked with RAs in Miley and New Residence for the Fall Mingle that happened on November 19, 2003 with a great turn out. Everyone was given a passport with the mission to stop at each of the nine different stations in order to receive a final prize.

Recently the RHA board, along with a couple of other students, went to an RHA conference held at Northeastern University. Here the members participated in two and a half days of workshops, motivational lectures and share sessions where the groups traded ideas with one another. The schools that were at the conference were excited and brimming with school spirit noticed Michele Packham, one of the Salve area coordinators and chaperone on the trip, they were really into their school and RHA as a whole. From the conference the Salve board was able to bring back ideas to consider for next semester, but they are still open to suggestions from anyone who wants to offer their opinions or help in the group.

RHA is a group you want to get involved with if you like to make a difference in your school. Instead of just giving your gripes and complaints – ask what you can do to help change or add to the place that you are living.

The RHA board for Salve includes Co-presidents Samantha Nelson and Lauren O’Brien, Secretary Merrick Voinier, Treasurer Brandon Gavin, Public Relations Coordinator Emeline Walker and Faculty Advisor Teresa Brown. There are also area representatives who attend meeting and voice students concerns living in their residence area. These student representatives are Shane Falcone for Amanda Tomlin’s area, J.R. King and Robert Pesapane for Van Pham’s area, Laura Marini and Jessica DiMola for Joe Lomastro’s area and Christine Markopoulos for Michele Packham’s area. To lend a hand and a voice contact one of the members of the RHA board or the office of Residential Life.