Michigan State University Residence Halls Association
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The Michigan State University Residence Halls Association |
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| Founded: | 1971 |
| Purpose: | Undergraduate On-Campus student government |
| Structure: | Non-partisan, unicameral legislative body |
| Tax rate: | US$25.00 per semester (As of 2006) |
| Turnout | 10% (In 2006 election) |
| Address: | G-7 Holden Hall Michigan State University East Lansing MI 48825 |
| Phone: | 517-355-8285 |
| Fax: | 517-355-0734 |
| Website: | http://www.rha.msu.edu/ |
Michigan State University Residence Halls Association was founded in 1971 when the Men's Hall Association and the Women's Inter Residence Council combined. MSU'S RHA is one of the largest on-campus student governments in the United States both in number of constituents, revenue, spending and scope. It is, by far, the largest in terms of both constituents and revenue in the Great Lakes region.
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[edit] Overview
MSU's RHA has over 14,000 constituents and an annual budget of approximately $600,000. There are presently 41 voting representatives, as well as an executive board of 16. RHA employs approximately 50 students campus-wide. The General Assembly is the main body of RHA, and is comprised of the following:
- 23 Residence Hall representatives
- 8 CORES & COPS representatives
- 5 African-American and 5 LGBT hall caucus groups
Unlike most residence halls associations, MSU's RHA is not a division of the MSU student government, ASMSU. It instead has representation on both Assemblies of ASMSU, reflecting that ASMSU is the higher body by jurisdiction. RHA directly represents students to the administration and beyond, rather than seek ASMSU's approval on every piece of legislation. Also unlike most schools, there is no restriction on Resident Mentors' involvement in RHA.
RHA operates movie rental offices in five MSU residence halls: Brody Hall, Holden Hall, Akers Hall, Yakeley-Gilchrist Hall and Mason-Abbott Hall. It also operates the Campus Center Cinemas in Wells and Conrad Halls and its own TV network, RHA TV/ RHA also provides short programs directed at health and safety and residence hall life.
$6 per student is allocated from the RHA general fund to hall governments to operate and put on programs. RHA offers additional dollars to affiliated groups on a case-by-case basis.
As with almost all RHAs, many alumni pursue a career in student affairs after graduation, though MSU's rate of student affairs professionals is smaller than most. In recent years, RHA has produced several professionals in the fields of politics, journalism and media, science, finance and law enforcement. Because different specializations within RHA allow students to hone their skills in a professional setting, RHA has seen a significant number of students go from jobs in RHA to careers in event planning, web design and system administration. One RHA alum even transitioned from running RHA movies to owning his own video-rental chain.
[edit] Notable RHA (or subsidiaries), MHA, and WIC alumni
- John Engler - Governor of Michigan
- Dick Posthumus - Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
- M. Peter McPherson - President of Michigan State University
[edit] Affiliations
MSU's Residence Halls Association is formally affiliated with the following organizations:
- MORHA, the Michigan Organization of Residence Halls Association
- GLACURH, the Great Lakes Association of College and University Residence Halls (Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ontario)
- NACURH, the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (U.S.A., Canada, Mexico and Australia)
MSU's RHA started their affiliations with GLACURH and NACURH in 1968 left for five years and came back in 1979, and was one of the charter members of MORHA but waited a month affter it was created making it the 8th school to join The Inter Michigan College association (IMCA) which later became MORHA.
[edit] Past Affiliations
- BTRHA, Big Ten Residence Hall Association Affiliated 1950 - 1979?
- MACURH, Midwest Assosiation of College and University Residence halls 1965-1968
[edit] Past RHA conferences and Offices held at MSU
- 2006- MORHA
- 2001- MORHA
- 1998- GLACURH
- 1987- MORHA
- 1982- GLACURH, No Frills
- 1966-Big Ten Residence Hall Association Presidence Meeting
- 1961-1968? - Big Ten Residence Hall Association(BTRHA) Secretariat
- 1961- Big Ten Residence Hall Association Conference
- 1957- Big Ten Residence Hall Association Presidence Meeting
- 1953- Big Ten Residence Hall Association Conference
[edit] Awards won by MSU
School of the Year
- 1989 (GLACURH) and NACURH nominee
- 2006 (GLACURH) and NACURH nominee
- 2007 (MORHA)
Program of the Year
- 2006 Spread the Word (MORHA)
- 2005 VoteSmart MSU! (MORHA)
- 1995 Sex Fest (MORHA- Social/Educational category)
Commitment to Diversity
- 2004 (MORHA)
- 1999 (GLACURH)
- 2006 (GLACURH)
President of the Year
- 2005 Ernest Drake (MORHA)
NCC of the Year
- 2006 Alexandra Miller (MORHA)
- 2004 April Bennett (GLACURH)
- 1987 Pat Yeakey (GLACURH)
MOCC of the Year
- 1998 Laura Coatta
Advisor of the Year
- 2006 Tim O'Malley (MORHA)
NRHH Member of the Year
- 2007 Samantha Williams (MORHA)
Executive Board Member of the Year
- 2007 Mark Dobson (MORHA)
Conference Awards
- MORHA 2007 Director's Pin (Val Erwin)
- MORHA 2006 Director's Pin (Kevin Newman)
- MORHA 2006 Director's Pin (Thomas Wolf)
- MORHA 2006 Director's Pin (April Bennett)
- MORHA 2006 Director's pin (Alexandra Miller)
- MORHA 2006 Case Study
- NACURH 2005 Silver Director's pin (April Bennett)
- MORHA 2004 Director's Pin (Julie Hughes)
- GLACURH 2002 Best Banner
- MORHA 1995 Most Spirited delegation
- NACURH 1987 Best Display
- GLACURH 1987 Best Banner
- GLACURH 1987 Best Mascot
- GLACURH 1987 Most spirited Large school delegation
National OTMS
- Educational Program December 2005 Spread the Word
- First Year Experience May 2006 Martina Egerer
- Student June 2006 Eric Hinojosa
- First Year Experience July 2006 Jeff Canvasser
- Student July 2006 Julielyn Gibbons
Other Awards
- 2004 City of East Lansing- Providing alcohol-free events and community service
- 1993 Michigan House of Representatives- StateWalk
- Student Life - Organization Campus Impact Award
- Student Life - Program 150 years of struggle
MSU has also received numerous four-year service awards from MORHA, GLACURH and NACURH.
Note: Conference Awards include recognition for conference-specific events, activities and service, including but not limited to directors' pins and delegation awards. "Of the Year" awards, though distributed at conferences, are listed in separate categories.
