RHA nixes residence hall resolution

The resolution proposed halls would stay open all academic year.

By Luke Udstuen

Published Nov. 3, 2009

The Residence Halls Association struck down a proposed resolution that would urge MU administration to keep all residence halls open during the entirety of the academic year.

"A similar resolution was passed last year, and there's a few more halls that are open this year as compared to last year," RHA Parliamentarian Jared Grafman said. "But we're trying to get all of the halls open equally."

RHA is looking into keeping residence halls open all year because of its intrinsic commitment of working for the students. There is specific language within the resolution talking about the inconvenience to students living in halls that close during breaks and how the opportunity for residents not living in certain halls is unequal.

"The only alternative for students seeking to stay in Columbia over Thanksgiving and spring breaks are hotels or off campus housing," the resolution stated.

Students who do not live in a residence hall remaining open during a break are required either to find off campus accommodations, or physically move into a residence hall that is open during breaks, Residential Life Adviser James Heim said.

The resolution addressed the difficulties of trying to move into a different residence hall only for the course of an academic break.

"The 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 athletics department and International Center," the resolution stated.

This year there are five residence halls open during breaks, whereas last year there were only three, Grafman said. Tiger Diggs and Mizzou Quads are also open throughout the academic year because they are provided through agreements with third party companies.

"I reworded the resolution that was passed last year, and did a little bit more research," Grafman said. "Some of the biggest concerns were logistics, and the request to see information on similar policies from other schools."

Last year the similar resolution passed in the internal committee and congress unanimously. This year, the resolution failed to make it out of the internal committee.

RHA President Rachael Feuerborn offered her insight as to why the resolution failed.

"It just depends on the representatives," Feuerborn said. "Different representatives have different opinions. I don't think it had anything to do with how it was presented, the content remained the same."

Grafman said most costs between dorms that remain open during the academic year and those that do not remain the same. The only difference with halls open during academic breaks is a $200 fee.

Feuerborn said this additional $200 fee might have contributed to the wariness in passing the resolution.

"It's just two different opinions of two different groups," Feuerborn said. "I guess sociologists can explain that better than me."

Grafman said he will look into issues brought up at the meeting, and will try to bring back the resolution this year.