The Residence Hall Association (RHA) is a group of students from each residence hall who come together to promote the interests and well-being of their constituents.

RHA is organized into councils focused around the first-year Residential Colleges (Juniper, Cedar, and Mistletoe), the Carlton Complex residence halls, the Murray Hill residence halls, and the residence halls of the upperclassmen. These are meant to place emphasis on the first-year, second-year, and upperclass residential experiences.

RHA recently finished elections for the executive positions next year. Samantha Nardone, the current president of RHA, will be replaced by Mara Gallagher. She will be aided by five new elected officers as well: vice-president of internal development, residential relations, external communication, administration and finance, and programming.

RHA’s current activities are winding down along with the end of the school year as they prepare for the summer. Due to the lack of students on campus, RHA’s executive board uses the summer to brainstorm new ideas for the upcoming year.

A large amount of this planning will focus on building communities in the residence halls. They have already initiated some ideas such with events such as the Residence Hall Rendezvous, which allowed first-year students to mix with current and potential roommates while touring the second-year residence halls to see what life will be like during their sophomore year.

RHA’s community-building activities for next semester, such as their ice cream social, are still in the works, and they are a major goal. “It is easier in the freshmen [residence halls] because everyone is adjusting to college together. In the second year, everyone is used to their friends and don’t pay attention to the community… But where you live on campus should be a community,” Nardone said. “Your building mates are like your neighbors.” RHA wants to promote students to connect by floors and residence halls, building bonds of companionship.

Internally, RHA is working on the intensity of its positions. Currently, there is a variety of positions available. However, there is a lack of “medium-level” jobs – this lack of a middle ground of involvement often detracts from member retention.

RHA will be working to create positions of medium intensity for those who want a higher level of involvement with less pressure. It is intended to draw more students to RHA, exposing them to the organization’s ability to support their goals. Nardone stressed that RHA wants to give students the financial and logistical support to carry out projects that improve student residential life.