RHA calls for joint session with MSA and LBC

The meeting is scheduled for Monday.

By Krissy Tripp

Published Feb. 17, 2009

Residence Halls Association Speaker of Congress Blake Lawrence called a joint session meeting for the Missouri Students Association and Legion of Black Collegians. The open meeting will take place at 6 p.m. next Monday. The location is unconfirmed.

Lawrence said the meeting is to touch base and keep campus-wide communication within the governments. The groups try to meet at least once a semester.

MSA Senate Speaker Jonathan Mays said he was unsure the meeting would happen because of disorganization and short notice.

During this meeting joint resolutions could be passed and each organization will give a short summary of its progress since the last joint session. Lawrence will have the final agenda Friday.

RHA President Robert Wood said he wants to propose a joint resolution regarding the announced smoking ban that will be phased in.

"I'm proposing a referendum because I think in regards to the residence halls it's important for the residents' voice to be heard," Wood said.

Although the trayless dining referendum Wood is trying to get on the presidential ballot won't be voted on until Feb. 26, Lawrence said the subject could also come up at the session. Wood said he couldn't speak on behalf of MSA President Jordan Paul, but since he ran on a pro-trayless slate, it might show up.

Lawrence said there is also an abstract resolution in the works regarding MU's accountability to students. The resolution will be asking MU to remain accountable for students even as it expands. An example of situation the resolution could avoid is the recycling problem that occurred at extended campus when residents didn't have the same recycling privileges as regular campus. Lawrence said Residential Life has always been responsive in the past when problems like this arose.