Although I have worked with and respect all of the Student Government Association presidential candidates, I want to make it clear that the Residence Hall Association has not been involved with any of the SGA parties’ platforms. SGA parties should refrain from using misleading language in their party platforms that undermines the autonomy of the RHA.
Historically, SGA parties have maintained a Big Brother-like attitude toward other student organizations — including the RHA — which is not surprising given the SGA bylaws. One gives the SGA oversight over the RHA, although RHA has not been funded by the SGA in the last 10 years. We are funded directly by on-campus residents, not the SGA. They do not have oversight over us, and it’s important that people know that.
Sustaining a “better” relationship with the RHA is fine — we have a long tradition of working with student groups. We are co-sponsoring the Autism Walk and supported the Caribbean Students Association’s clothing drive for Haiti. However, the SGA is not “bettering” the SGA-RHA relationship by inviting themselves to RHA Hall Council meetings, or by including themselves in hall or area council event planning without mentioning it to the proper RHA representatives.
RHA has initiated and sponsored single-day meal point donation drives for the last three years, both independently and with different groups every semester. This year, the biggest concern was Haiti relief. The RHA joined with other student groups to assist. The only “unprecedented” aspect of the $1,500 meal point donation drive was the SGA’s co-sponsorship. Despite any suggestions to the contrary, SGA cannot promise to co-sponsor meal point donation drives in the future. They simply do not have the authority.
Also, RHA does not hold a permanent seat on the Committee for the Review of Student Fees. RHA has advocated for a permanent seat in the past and was invited to sit on the board this year. This would be great; however, the SGA has been more concerned about political clout and alliances rather than effective representation. Inclusion of a permanent seat on the board for the RHA would make for a stronger platform.
I’m sure next year’s RHA leadership will appreciate a good working relationship with the SGA, but only where a relationship is due. With or without the SGA, we will continue to be the best advocate for on-campus students and will maintain priority influence over resident issues. We have already eliminated meal point focus dates, advocated for mixed-gendered hallways in Oakland Hall and increased the equity of the third-year Housing Lottery. With just two RHA Senate meetings left, we still have so much to accomplish. We need your help and enthusiasm to make this work.
E-mail us at voice@marylandrha.com or find us on Facebook at MarylandRHA.
Josef Mensah is a senior theatre major and the president of the RHA. He can be reached at jmensah06 at yahoo dot com.
