The Inter-Residence Hall Association discussed the Department of Residence’s Fresh Start program during its final meeting of the semester Thursday.

Jenny Erwin, Union Drive Association president, said DOR Director Randy Alexander met with residents of UDA to discuss what would change under the Fresh Start program.

UDA is the first association to implement the Fresh Start program association-wide. The program currently exists in Maple and Eaton Halls. It gives housing priority to first year students, requires community service involvement and is substance-free. Eaton Hall was formerly UDA Suite 1.

Erwin encouraged other members, particularly Richardson Court Association, to become aware of what the new program would mean for their association.

“RCA, it’s coming your way next year,” she said.

Birch-Welch-Roberts representative Clinton Middaugh said the Fresh Start program had the potential to hinder residents’ involvement with student government because of the many activities they are required to be involved in through the program.

“I really hope the rest of the university doesn’t go that way,” he said of the program.

IRHA adviser John Shertzer said information regarding Fresh Start’s effect on Step Inside, an Internet program that allows students to choose their rooms for the following semester, would be available soon.

President Keith Twombley reported he has been working with CyRide officials to modify some bus routes affecting residence hall students.

He said the Brown or Cardinal routes might be changed in order to allow better access to east campus.

He also said several positions, including Director of Information Technology, Director of Academic Affairs and Secretary of IRHA and President of Free Friday Flicks will be vacated by graduating seniors or still need to be filled from last semester.

“Applications for these four positions are up right now on IRHA’s Web site,” he said. “We really need to push these.” The Web site is http://irha.stuorg.iastate.edu.

He also encouraged members to attend this weekend’s IRHA-sponsored benefit concerts in the residence halls, which will feature local bands and raise money for the Iowa Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“It’s a great show,” he said. “It helps you to see the people you all represent.”

Also at the meeting, a bill allocating $600 to the Barker House Varieties group was passed.