Elections for Inter-Residence Hall Association executive cabinet are coming up on Wednesday. There is one slate. Does this mean that the residence hall students are getting stuck with these two guys? Not quite.

Eric Peters (Willow Hall President) and Justin Rasmussen (Richardson Court Association President) do have some good ideas and plans for next year. We believe that one of the major responsibilities of the residence hall government is to keep the lines of communication open between the Department of Residence and the students living, learning, working and dining there.

If this means more meetings between student government officers and residence staff, then we are willing to take the time to talk to the appropriate staff members.

Reviewing new Department of Residence policy has been a strong point of IRHA this year and in years past, and we will continue to try and understand the feelings of the residents and voice their concerns to the Department of Residence by whatever means are most appropriate. Student leaders need to cooperate with the policymakers to reach an acceptable compromise on controversial topics, like the spread of Fresh Start and the door-locking policy.

Increased student involvement is also very important to this slate. There is a place for everyone in the residence hall student government. It might not be the most desired position, like a chair position, but we can at least try to get interested individuals involved in some level of government or at least an ex officio spot on a committee. This slate is eager to work with the newly formed Residence Hall Leadership Organization (RHLO) to foster new learning and training for people in student government, from house chairs to IRHA members. There is always something new to learn and try out, it’s just a matter of finding out what.

Finally, IRHA needs to advertise itself more. Many students have no idea what IRHA is or what is does. The extent of their knowledge is often limited to seeing an IRHA dues payment on their U-Bill every semester. We will work to be more visible to students through programming and simple advertising. We will also work on informing students of some of the resources that IRHA has to share, such as a brand new web server on which houses can run a Web site and information on how to get money from the IRHA Discretionary and Special Projects Accounts.

So folks, being the only slate doesn’t mean we aren’t eager and capable of fulfilling the duties of the positions. Remember to vote for the two on the ballot in the elections on April 2.

Eric Peters

Sophomore

Sociology and Psychology

Willow Hall President

Justin Rasmussen

Sophomore

Computer Engineering

RCA President