Looking back on the past few months, it is hard to believe the semester is coming to a close. There's no doubt everyone is preparing for the busy week ahead. When you finally do turn in that last final, you might find yourself reminiscing about the past semester and hopefully the successes of the Residence Hall Association will come to mind. We worked tirelessly to improve campus policy, all the while striving to bring a sense of community to this sometimes overwhelming campus.
To start off the semester, we were informed of some unfortunate news from the Department of Transportation Services. DOTS projections indicated a shortage of parking spaces in the next few years, which would ultimately cause some students to lose their parking privileges. Acting on this news, the RHA passed a resolution urging the RHA's Transportation Advisory Committee to explore the details and possibility of a carpooling permit.
While the RHA was busy dealing with issues such as these, we were also planning the launch of the university's first GoCrossCampus game. The online game, kind of like Risk but with a map of the campus, sparked a lot of excitement throughout the campus, and the RHA looks forward to executing this game again next year.
Also in October, in response to university President Dan Mote signing the Amethyst Initiative, RHA President Alex Beuchler sat on the student panel at the university's Alcohol Summit. Preceding the summit, the RHA passed a resolution recommending the dialogues addressed in the initiative begin in February and continue through the end of the academic year. In preparation for these dialogues, the RHA has been listening to constituent concerns and has been collaborating with the Alcohol Coalition and the University Health Center.
Safety concerns related to motor scooters on the campus also surfaced this semester. Unbeknownst to many students, riding motor scooters on sidewalks is actually against the law and, needless to say, rather dangerous on a campus with so much foot traffic. In an attempt to voice the concerns of students, the RHA passed a resolution expressing the safety issues brought about by motor scooter usage on the campus and urging stricter enforcement of the laws prohibiting them on sidewalks.
The RHA also welcomed the beginning of the mixed-gender housing pilot program. This was particularly exciting, as the exploration for this idea began more than five years ago. We had the opportunity to discuss these students' experiences so far, and we were happy to hear those who participated in the program were pleased with their living situations. As a result, the pilot program will extend next year, with the addition of 24 beds.
A huge success for the RHA was also brought about when the option to opt out of focus dates was announced. Throughout the years, the concern with focus dates has been brought to our attention continually, and it was a major issue during campaigning for the RHA presidency last spring. Beginning this past summer, the RHA and Dining Services really started hammering out the details in introducing this option, and as a result, we are pleased to see this come to fruition.
Also new next semester will be the movement of room selection to the Internet. If you have ever participated in room selection in the past, you have most likely experienced the stressful process of having to attend several meetings. With the endorsement of the RHA, room selection is predicted to be much more manageable from now on.
The RHA is already looking forward to next semester and is welcoming any and all comments or concerns you may have. If you ever have an issue related to on-campus practices, please inform the senators that represent your hall or area or e-mail the executives at voice@marylandrha.com. To learn more about the RHA, please visit our website at www.marylandrha.com and our blog at www.marylandrha.blogspot.com.
Alicia Hartlove is the RHA's public relations officer. She can be reached at ajluv09@umd.edu.
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