When senior government and politics major Kareem Branch ran for Hagerstown Hall president his freshman year, he lost by just one vote. Instead of taking a programming position on his hall council, Branch began attending RHA meetings.
Almost four years later, current Residence Hall Association President Branch says his time in the general assembly and subsequent leadership positions has given him a unique perspective on student issues that has motivated him to take the organization to a new level.
“In terms of my time growing in the organization,” he said, “it’s given me a better sense of what the student issues are, what issues are more prevalent among students and what they want.”
This year, Branch has laid out lofty goals, including implementing a meal plan rollover system, exploring extending dining hall hours on Friday and Saturday nights, increasing Shuttle-UM services and adding swipe card access to laundry and vending machines.
He said these goals illustrate a new style for the RHA – one in which the issues are tackled in a more realistic time frame.
“We are not going in over our heads and thinking up long-term projects,” he said. “For example, configuring a new meal plan, that’s never something we could do by next year.”
Instead, Branch said they are re-exploring issues that have taken a back seat over the years to larger issues, like removing focus dates for second-year students.
“A lot of these are projects that were sort of on the back burner, a lot of them are finishing up small areas that were left open in the past and cleaning up those areas,” he said.
Dining Services Director Pat Higgins said the change could be because students realize the weight of their voice. She said since mandatory focus dates were removed, RHA members see they can accomplish things.
“I think there is a just desire to get to the meat of it and get things done,” Higgins said. “I think every year builds on the year before.”
RHA Chief Information Officer Jesse Chen said another reason for the idealism among the RHA is the influence of former RHA president Hannah Putman. He said Putman instilled the idea that in order to get things accomplished, students must work with the administration to really find out what is feasible.
“Her effect of the RHA is that she gave us some insight,” Chen said. “That’s something RHA veterans now know and have kept in mind, but at the same time are encouraging more idealism while maintaining the perspective Hannah had.”
Three-year RHA veteran and National Conferences Coordinator Alexandra Lockwood said all members seem more interested and mindful of their role in serving as a liaison for student concerns.
“Everything members see wrong with campus they know they have the ability to do something about,” she said. “That helps us gain student support and interest.”
Branch agreed saying student involvement can only help the organization succeed.
“We have a new perspective and a great mix of each of the different classes,” he said.
Contact reporter Hadass Kogan at kogandbk@gmail.com.
