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News

RHA under new leadership

Organization focusing on unique programs, 
establishing new traditions at UH

by JARED BARNES
The Daily Cougar

The Residence Halls Association's new leadership is looking to bring innovative programming to every floor, hall and area in UH housing this semester, new RHA President Micah Kenfield said.

"We were created and exist to serve the residents. This semester we're going to live up to that expectation," Kenfield said.

The departure of Fall 2005 and Spring 2006 RHA President Joel Kissell gave former Vice President Kenfield the opportunity to preside over the organization this spring.

Vice President of Special Events Mary Elhardt said the RHA officers will work well together under Kenfield's leadership.

"Micah is really outgoing, and I am seeing his enthusiasm trickle down to the rest of us," she said.

As part of its overhaul, National Communications Coordinator Eva Kaminskayte and Elhardt returned a number of RHA awards that were not on display to office walls. 

RHA has garnered several accolades over the past two decades, including recognition from the National Association of College and University Residence Halls.

The RHA is a student organization within Residential Life and Housing that addresses residents' concerns, arranges programs and serves as an advocate for students residing in on-campus housing.

Some of RHA's programs this semester include a coffeehouse event for incoming prospective honors students, the "Don't Get Burned" barbeque and educational gathering preceding Spring Break, and the educational forum titled "Sex in the Dark." 

Other programs include Beauty Bowl, dodge ball tournaments and movie marathons.

"Program attendance varies, but events that are UH traditions bring the most people," Elhardt said. "The only problem is that UH has few traditions, at least within the residential halls -- we are trying to change that.

"The RHA wants people to talk about RHA's programs weeks after they occur. Not only will this help RHA, but it will improve housing's image overall, spotlighting on-campus living."

Elhardt said she hopes to involve more students with catchy advertising and new ideas. 

"This February, we are going to have a ‘Heartbreaker' dance instead of a regular Valentine's Day dance," she said.

Vice President of Administration Jessica Nweke said she encourages students to get involved in RHA by attending events and participating in floor and hall councils.

The RHA holds biweekly meetings open to students called General Assemblies. The meetings serve not only to inform residents of RHA activities but also provide a forum for concerns or comments, Kenfield said.

RHA contact information is available at www.uh.edu/rha/. 

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