RHA members submit legislation
The Residence Halls Association passed several pieces of legislation in internal and external meetings this week and last.
- RHA is considering Resolution FS2008-12: Reform of Over-Break Residency in order to make it easier for students to stay on campus over break. Resolution author Jared Grafman wrote “Residence Halls that are open over breaks are difficult to move into once the academic year has begun because of gender restrictions, community sponsorships, and demand for room from the Athletic Department and International Center.” Students can currently move their belongings to Laws, Lathrop or South residence halls for breaks. The resolution proposes that MU residence halls stay open over breaks for an additional nightly fee. Click here to see amenities in each hall.
- Resolution FS2008-21: Purchasing of Cell Phones for On-Call Duties, written by peer advisor Libby Gordon, was passed during the RHA internal meeting. The resolution states that each residence hall should replace their emergency on-call pager with a cell phone.
- Resolution FS2008-19: Improving Recycling Capacity for Extended Campus was passed during the RHA internal meeting. Representatives Mike Madden and Jon Cleair co-authored the resolution, which asks to have more recycling containers and opportunities for extended campus housing.
- RHA Resolution FS2008-22: Assertion of Residents Rights to use Tobacco Products, which was passed during the internal meeting, asserts smokers’ rights in MU housing. Speaker of Congress Blake Lawrence representative Jon Cleair co-authored the resolution after extended campus residents were given discipline referrals for smoking on their balconies. Department of Residential Life Policy states “smoking will be permitted on open-air balconies unless the residents on that floor or in that hall choose to restrict it through community standards discussion…benches and ash urns will be provided outside the halls where feasible, so people can smoke away from the exteriors of the hall." The no-smoking on balconies rule is not one of the apartment complexes, nor is it stated in MU policy. Residents living in on-campus housing are allowed to smoke on their balconies. The resolution requests that Residential Life staff members stop misrepresenting MU policy. Also, if staff members wish for students to smoke away from the building, accommodate them with benches and ash urns.