RHA pledges better representation

Internal Chairman Ryan Manning is forming a committee to update rules.

By Krissy Tripp

Published March 9, 2009

The Residence Halls Association is taking steps to better represent its residents.

The organization is taking a closer look at residential and RHA policies for general housekeeping, planning events, coordinating a joint session of MU's student governments and making scholarships available to residents.

RHA Internal Chairman Ryan Manning is forming a subcommittee to read the Department of Residential Life's Tiger Guide for any rules that could be updated or thrown out. The committee will look for any improvements that could better serve the residents, Manning said

One particular Tiger Guide policy RHA passed a resolution about regards the smoking ban.

"We wrote the bill to ensure the rights of both smokers and non-smokers," resolution co-author Jon Cleair said. "For smokers, we want to allow a safe haven for them to go to. Non-smokers are having their rights honored by the ban."

The resident policy in the Tiger Guide states smoking will be permitted on open-air balconies, if permitted by the community, and benches and ash urns will be provided outside the halls so students can smoke away from the hall.

RHA proposed that Chancellor Brady Deaton and MU administration postpone the implementation of the smoking ban until residents can determine the best course of action for the residence halls.

The resolution also states if MU is unwilling to rethink the smoking ban regarding residents, they should work to accommodate residents who smoke in order to ensure their safety.

"The university should uphold the contract signed by the residents," the resolution states. "Revisions should be made as necessary as deemed by the residents and no changes should be instituted without their approval."

During the congress meeting last night, they voted on resolution SS2009-09: Smoking Ban. The resolution was passed during last week's internal meeting, but a congressional vote is necessary to pass a resolution.

"I think it's important for the chancellor to honor the contract we all signed at the beginning of the year," resolution co-author Emelia Fujita said. "There was no consent from the residents."

RHA member Mike Crawford is forming an internal subcommittee to review the constitution for possible updates.

RHA Congress Speaker Blake Lawrence said Manning will be the first internal chairman to fulfill all of the position's duties.

RHA is also trying to help residents outside of legislation.

Treasurer and President-elect Rachael Feuerborn finalized the spending guidelines for residence halls to address problems with rollover and proper budgeting. She also announced that the applications for next year's executive board are online now.

RHA will be giving away five $1,000 scholarships. Co-chairmen Nate Ballance and Manning said their main goal in creating the scholarship is providing opportunities for those who might not otherwise have them and addressing retention in RHA.

The scholarship is only available to those staying on campus after the required freshman year. The scholarship will also exclude RHA executives who receive stipends and student staff members who have their entire room and board compensated.

External discussed events, such as planning a bonfire during Black Out Mizzou so students have something to do outside while they're turning the electricity off. Also in the works is RHA sports month, which consists of voluntary teams playing a variety of sports once a week for a month.