Lovely October: Although the leaves and the temperature drop daily, there is something in the fall air that that keeps spirits high and energy plentiful. The excitement of fall is in the fun of watching the leaves change colors, cheering for athletics teams, picking Halloween costumes and, of course, stocking up on bulk bags of special-edition Halloween candy.
The Residence Hall Association has been working to capitalize on this excitement. Hall and area councils are busy planning events for their residence halls to celebrate Halloween, such as LaPlata Hall’s “Boo Your Boo” Halloween candygram event and South Campus Commons Area Council’s “Pumpkin Fest,” which will include mummy-wrapping and other classic Halloween activities. At Oakland Hall’s “Halloween Bash,” residents will be able to make “recycle-o-lanterns,” jack-o-lanterns made by painting recycled 2-liter plastic soda bottles. Ellicott Hall Council’s “Halloween Murder Mystery Game” will allow residents to participate in a real-life version of the game “Clue.”
Meanwhile, the RHA Senate is hard at work investigating issues pertaining to all aspects of resident life. So far, RHA committees have been looking into the development of Prince Frederick Hall, checking in on 251 North and Oakland Hall and working toward the placement and installation of water bottle filling stations in residence halls.
As the RHA is the voice of on-campus them, it is important to provide students a forum for input and discussion about the topics impacting them most. Do you have an opinion about a particular Shuttle-UM bus route? Would you like to give your input on possible new menu options for the dining halls? Are you wondering what is being done to increase sustainability in the residence halls? Enter the RHA Town Hall.
The annual RHA Town Hall will be held tomorrow evening, Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Jimenez Room of Stamp Student Union. At this Town Hall, the RHA will be providing students access to the four departments we work with: Resident Life, Residential Facilities, Dining Services and Transportation Services. Directors from those departments will be present to listen to your ideas and answer your questions — this is your opportunity to speak one-on-one with them. This event happens only once a year and is sponsored by your RHA. It’s also open to all Maryland students.
The RHA is dedicated to promoting positive changes on the campus, but we cannot make these changes without your input. Although your senators are there to represent you at every RHA senate meeting, this is your chance to speak your mind and make the RHA and the directors of major university departments aware of what needs to be done. Anything from adding more options to the dining halls to adding a stop to a bus route is open to discussion.
With that, the RHA wishes you a happy and safe Halloween, and we cannot wait to see you tomorrow from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Jimenez Room in Stamp Student Union. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to let your voice be heard.
Meenu Singh is the public relations officer for the Residence Hall Association. She can be reached at meenuksingh92@aol.com.
