Student org

Abhinaya Iyer
TECHNEWS WRITER

What is the main mission of RHA on
campus?
Hayes: The main goal of RHA is to work
for residents and ensure they have a voice on
campus. We take any feedback and suggestions
given by students to the offices and have a
chance to make a change. Also, we try to foster
a welcoming environment and an inclusive
community for students to stay on campus. We
are the main governing body for residence.

What are some services/resources
available to residents who live in campus
housing that they may not be aware of?
Hayes: Committees form an integral part of
RHA — the different committees are essentially
involved in specific aspects of residence life.
The dining committee attends meetings with
Food Advisory Board and addresses concerns
of the students. The housing committee takes
into direct consideration the requests of
the students from the halls and brings it to
the notice of the Residence and Greek Life
(RGL) office. The programming and publicity
committee plans multiple events for the

campus@technewsiit.com

 

| Tuesday, March 8th, 2016

    

feature: Residence Hall Association

residents to create a better community.

Hayes added that students also have
access to RHA’s DVD library where they can
rent out DVDs for free on a daily basis. The
members of RHA’s executive board have office
hours Monday through Friday from 7 pm. to
8 pm. and from 5 to 6 pm. on the weekends.
During this time, executive board members
are available to provide feedback or answer
questions that students may have.

What do you enjoy most about being
president of RHA?
Hayes: I love being able to interact with so
many people within the residence halls and
identify student leadership potential. I also
enjoy working with such a great exec board
to create experiences for the students that will
improve student life.

Why is it important for students to be
aware of and involved in RHA?
Hayes: Students need to be aware of the

things RHA can do for them and it is important
that they give feedback. It is difficult for us
to work with no feedback and even if we get
feedback it is from a small percentage. With
this we will only be able to affect a smaller
body of students and satisfy their needs. To be
able to affect everyone, we need input and fro

this it is important for people to know us.

Hayes went on to say that RHA is one of
the easier student organizations on campus to
be involved with and grow as a leader. It also
helps if students are interested in becoming
student life leaders because RHA works in
close proximity with RGL.

How can we, the media and student

organization leaders work on improving
communication between student organizations
and the student body?
Hayes: I believe this article is a good initiative
to get word out there and help students to be
aware of the different organizations on campus.
As student life leaders we have the power to
make known to students what resources are
available to them and help them reach their
potential.

What are some of RHA’s upcoming
events?

Hayes: On March 10, we have SwIIT in
collaboration with ISO for international
week. It is a cultural mixer aimed at exposing
students to different delicacies or desserts
from different countries/ cultures. Students
from different organizations will be preparing
treats which is available to students during
ISO’s event. This will take place on Thursday at

7-8:30 pm. in MSV center lounge.
RHA also has an event coming up on March

24 in collaboration with RGL called CRIBS
where students who are interested may display
their room for visits by interested/prospective
students. At the end of the day, the visitors get
to vote and the room with the maximum votes
wins a prize.

When and where does RHA regularly
meet?
Hayes: The RHA meets every Sunday at the
Fishbowl in MSV at 6 pm. Other than that
we have general body meetings once in three
weeks that are held at one of the lounges in
MSV. At the general body meetings, we obtain
feedback from students and also have various
activities that are planned with students.

How can students sign up to receive
updates on what RHA is working on?
Hayes: We have initiated a biweekly newsletter
that goes to all current campus residents giving
them updates on the current happenings of
the organization. Other than that we have an
email address to which students can send their
questions, suggestions or feedback, rha@iit.
edu

 

Photo by Abhinaya Iyer

 

Khaleela Zaman, Student Advisor

Why are you involved in RHA?

Zaman: I want to make sure that students have
a voice on campus and since RHA is closely
working with RGL it is easy to communicate
the ideas and suggestions across.

Krithika Subramani ,Treasurer

Why are you involved in RHA?
Subramani: I love Arlene!

Rafiul Islam Zareef, National Communications
Chair

Why is it important for all residents to care
about RHA?

Zareef: It’s more about inclusion. People come
from diverse cultures and RHA tries its best
to make the residence halls a home for every
resident. Their participation will help us cater
to their needs as part of a bigger picture.

Soren Spicknall, Secretary

Why are you involved in RHA?

Spicknall: I think that RGL truly cares about
student life and I want to be a part of the voice
in the quality of life improved of the students
on campus.

Photos courtesy ofResidence Hall Association