2007-2008 for the RHA

The Residence Halls Association had a full docket this year, as our University Senate debated resolutions relating to all aspects of life at the university. We are pleased to report some of the most important work the RHA has done this year to improve life at the university.

The RHA Senate passed a resolution in favor of the Campus Drive Alignment of the forthcoming Purple Line. RHA President Sumner Handy signed a letter to university President Dan Mote with former Student Government Association President Andrew Friedson and Graduate Student Government President Laura Moore reiterating this opinion as part of a unified student whole.

RHA’s Transportation Advisory Committee studied the feasibility and desirability of offering Green Permits to university students, faculty and staff. This initiative was introduced as part of many campus-wide efforts to encourage students to reduce their negative environmental impact by driving fuel-efficient vehicles.

This fall, due in part to continued advocacy by the Residential Facilities Advisory Board, an RHA Senate committee, certain dorms will host a pilot program for state-of-the-art, Internet-monitored, energy-saving, Terrapin Express-taking laundry facilities. Washer and dryer cycles will be monitored online for students to check availability – like Shuttle-Trac for laundry. These machines will also be equipped with swipe card hardware for easier payment. This pilot is another effort to reduce energy usage and modernize our campus.

Among the highlights of this year is the welcoming of our new director of Dining Services, Colleen Wright-Riva. Wright-Riva and RHA members have hit the ground running, working to improve our dining halls and meal plan options. In the coming year, we hope to see the elimination of focus dates and help to head up work on new mean plan designs. Additionally, the RHA will continue to play an instrumental role in the redesigning of Northwoods, the near-vacant former dining hall in the middle of Denton Community. Renovation of the conceptually brand-new dining facility is set to begin this fall.

We wish to recognize the 2007-2008 RHA Executive Board, Senate and Hall and Area Councils for their hard work for and dedication to the university community. We are confident you will continue to serve our community as valiantly in the coming years.

If you would like to learn more about the RHA, including how you can get involved, please visit www.MarylandRHA.com. We invite you to read the thoughts and commentary of our members at the new Maryland RHA blog, www.marylandrha.blogspot.com. Thank you, and have a safe and pleasant summer break!

Seth Salver Residence Halls AssociationPublic Relations and Outreach Officer

Grading university services

This semester, the Campus Affairs Committee of the Student Government Association investigated six student services: the Athletics Department, the Stamp Student Union, the Department of Resident Life, Campus Recreation Services, Dining Services and the Department of Transportation Services. Our goal was to assess the current level of services that were being offered by these entities, as well as their responsiveness to student concerns by issuing each a grade. In addition to issuing surveys, members of the committee interviewed student leaders and department officials. Our results offer both evaluations and suggestions for these services. It is plain there is much room for improvement among these services, and the degree of quality offered between groups varied greatly. We believe this report offers a blueprint for action for next year’s crop of student leaders. We encourage students and administrators to visit www.sga.umd.edu to view the report.

Brad DochertyFormer Student Government Association Senior Vice PresidentJuniorGovernment and Politics and Operations Management

Thank you, Mr. Friedson

As we stumble into our new school year, beginning early with elections of a new Student Government Association administration, I can honestly say I will miss former SGA President Andrew Friedson. As a student leader, he did an amazing job to set the stage for the SGA next year as far as realizing student groups make the university go ’round. He came to Black Alliance Network meetings held at midnight and maintained a genuine relationship with students to the semester’s end. He made time to meet with student leaders and hear their ideas and concerns, and when it came time to really pull strings to get things done on behalf of students, Andrew Friedson was there.

When we think about developing a culturally competent campus community, the image portrayed by the SGA president is imperative. His or her relationship with the director of student groups should be close-knit. Friedson made me have a better perspective of what a genuine government could be with a dedicated, down-to-earth president.

Bottom line: Friedson paved the way for new and positive beginnings. Now all students need is for the rest of the SGA crew to follow suit in the future.

I am excited to watch our campus culture mature as next semester’s SGA focuses even more on student groups. Go Andrew! Your hard work, late nights and goofy jokes were very much appreciated!

Shawna MurrayFormer Vice PresidentBlack Student Union

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