The Inter-Residence Hall Association passed a bill and discussed Iowa State’s use of prison labor during their meeting Thursday at the Memorial Union.

The bill was proposed last week and allocates IRHA funds from multiple accounts to finance a leadership banquet this March.

In the past, the Department of Residence (DOR) has essentially split the cost with the IRHA concerning the banquet. This year, the funding the IRHA set aside for the banquet was not enough to hold the event.

The account proposed to contribute to the banquet was previously used for the Parliament Bonding and Training Fund. The IRHA concluded the funds were better spent on the banquet. Residence hall students fund all these accounts.

The bill was passed with no objections after 20 minutes of debate. It is still unclear if the DOR will aid the leadership banquet funding.

The leadership banquet will be held March 30.

The IRHA will be hosting their own elections in light of the closing Student Government elections. Campaigning will begin March 27, and voting will be held April 10.

Information about running for IRHA office is available at www.irha.iastate.edu.

Iowa State’s use of prison labor was discussed for clarification reasons. DOR representatives detailed exactly how Iowa State employs prison labor to create furniture for residence halls and other buildings throughout campus. Workers can earn as little as 15 cents an hour.

No motions were made on the topic, but further action can be expected at future IRHA meetings.

A bill was proposed to amend IRHA bylaw 3.3.9.4. The bylaw stated the director of leadership activities may also be a community advisor. The amendment would otherwise remove this bylaw, as it contradicts the executive board bylaws on this subject.

The bill was passed unanimously.

The next IRHA meeting will be held Thursday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union.