Student Publications
University of Houston
151C Communications Bldg
Houston, TX 77204-4015
713.743.5350

©1991-2007
Student Publications,
All rights reserved.

Last modified:

Contact:
ktruitt@uh.edu

Opinion
 

Letters to the Editor

Residents should voice their concerns to RHA

To the editor:

One of the Residence Halls Association°Øs main responsibilities is addressing the concerns of students living on campus by acting as the channel of communication between residents and Residential Life and Housing. 

RHA represents the interests of all students living on campus. Residents who have any concerns about their halls can contact RHA by coming by the office in Room 100A, Oberholtzer Hall, calling (713) 743-6069 or by coming to General Assemblies.

RHA will be addressing food service and facilities at our first General Assembly of the spring semester, as well as all topics brought forth by residents. 

If students have any issues that they would like to express, please come and let us know at 8:30 p.m., Feb. 6 in Oberholtzer East cafeteria.

Micah Kenfield
Residence Halls Association president
linguistics/ philosophy junior

RHA is not the best answer to residents°Ø problems

To the editor:

As a UH alumnus and former resident of Taub Hall and Cougar Place, I°Ød like to offer a few comments regarding Jim McCormick°Øs Wednesday column (°°Residence halls aren°Øt what they used to be°±) on the current condition of the Residence Halls and food service on campus.

Those of us who lived on campus a few years ago saw this coming from miles away.

Aramark°Øs behavior as a food service provider is nothing new. 

In 1997, Aramark jacked up food rates so much that students who had purchased the most expensive meal plan available at the time saw the money run out in mid-October.

Then, as now, complaints weren°Øt limited to just the exorbitant costs on food, but also to the lack of variety and some generally unpalatable menu items that were continually scheduled. 

In 1998, Chartwells came to campus, and just like during Aramark°Øs ill-considered return to campus, Chartwells made grand promises °™ upgrades to dining facilities, changes to menus, healthier alternatives, you name it °™ until Tropical Storm Allison caused numerous problems.

I wasn°Øt surprised when Chartwells washed its hands of UH, but I was surprised at how little memory and common sense UH showed by inviting Aramark back to abuse the student body yet again.

However, hope does not lie in the Residence Halls Association. RHA will likely not be taken seriously by UH°Øs administration. 

My advice to students is to hammer these issues publicly. Hold public meetings with the officials responsible. 

Keep the student body informed of any and all progress, or lack thereof.

The more light you shine on the issues, the better your chance for some real change.

Michael Ahlf
UH alumnus, Cullen College of Engineering

Letters to the editor are welcome from all members of the UH community and should focus on issues, not personalities. Letters must be typed and must include the author's name, telephone number and affiliation with the University. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, language and space. Letters may be delivered in person to Room 151C, Communication; e-mailed to dclettrs@mail.uh.edu ; or faxed to (713) 743-5384.