With a new group of officers for this school year, the Residence Halls Association already has plans to create a fun and interesting year for the University’s residents.
RHA member-at-large Roxanne Werner said the association is working hard to create a small community.
"RHA is excited about this coming year," Werner said. "We have an all new executive board that is extremely excited to get to make a difference in the halls and plan some fun activities."
RHA has already started some welcome and social events so that residents can get to know each other such as the Aug. 20 barbecue, she said.
"I would have to say the barbecue was our most successful event so far. We had over 200 individuals show up," RHA Secretary and Treasurer Nicole Sopko said.
RHA also gave away free T-shirts to attract students to the event.
"Not only did we have free food, we were able to pass out new RHA shirts to the first 40 people in attendance," Sopko said.
RHA also hosted "Easter in August," where students hunted eggs in Lynn Eusan Park. The eggs contained candy and tickets for prizes.
"This event was open to all residents of the three residence halls on campus," Sopko said. "
RHA has a few other events planned for the near future, such as a picnic, RHA President Brandon McFarland said.
Beyond events, RHA is also creating a floor council run by a group of student leaders for each residence hall floor, Werner said.
"We’re excited about the floor councils in the residence halls this year. I’ve heard a lot of good ideas from the different floors – ranging from movie nights, a date auction and a rock-paper-scissors contest," she said.
This year, RHA is looking for students interested in becoming part of the organization.
"RHA has two open positions, vice president of special events and national communications coordinator, and we hope to have elections for those positions soon," McFarland said.
RHA has meetings every other Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. The meetings are open to all UH residents.
If you would like more information on RHA, coming events or officer election information you can visit the RHA office in Oberholtzer Hall or go to their Web site, www.uh.edu/rha.
