Members of the Residence Halls Association are packing their bags for this weekend’s Michigan Organization of Residence Halls Association’s conference at Grand Valley State University.
But the meeting will be the last for MSU’s association since it decided to discontinue its affiliation to the statewide organization in February. The statewide organization represents 11 other schools in Michigan.
In February, RHA officials said they outgrew the organization because MSU was unable to relate to the other universities on several issues such as size and diversity.
Although there is a potential for a negative reaction from the RHA delegates from other schools because of MSU’s departure, MSU’s RHA Michigan Organization Communication Coordinator Melissa Kessler said she expects the atmosphere to be friendly.
“There is a possibility members of (Michigan Organization of Residence Halls Association) will take our being there as less than positive,” she said. “But I have told our delegates to tell them it was the decision of the general assembly.”
The conference will cover professional development within each association as well as methods to improve relations between executive boards and general assemblies.
MSU’s RHA Internal Vice President Josh Minor said in addition to communicating with other delegates, MSU’s association will formally disaffiliate itself at this weekend’s conference.
“It’s a chance to get together with other Michigan RHA. It is also partly to have a good time to unwind a little,” he said “There is going to be some business covered, I’m sure.”
What’s next for MSU’s association is the creation of a Big Ten Conference-wide organization of Residence Halls Association.
MSU RHA President-elect Tim Liss said although MSU’s association is leaving the statewide organization, the conference will give him a chance to get ideas for the creation of a new group.
“I am going to take what I learn in (Michigan Organization of Residence Halls Association), the positive and negative things and use that to help create a Big Ten Conference for next year for RHA,” he said.
Other than business as usual, Liss said he is looking forward to the atmosphere and the chance to meet new people.
“Getting the opportunity to interact with other students and other student leaders is beneficial,” he said. “And you get to just meet people and that is another beneficial thing. You get to make connections with other people.”
