The Residence Halls Association elected its new president Wednesday.
Kevin Newman was elected by a majority vote of the group's General Assembly, and will assume the presidency in April.
This is Newman's third year with RHA. He began as the representative for Landon Hall, served as secretary last year and currently is chief of staff.
One of Newman's trademarks is his willingness to go above and beyond the duties of his position, said Adam Raezler, RHA movie offices director.
"There isn't a single program we run that hasn't been touched by Newman," Raezler said. "That's the one thing that worries me about Newman - I don't believe him when he says he'll be able to delegate."
Newman is a senior, but will return for his fifth year at MSU next year to pursue a dual degree in urban and regional planning and public administration and public policy.
He lives in Landon Hall, but spent last year living off campus.
"I know why students move off campus - I did it," Newman said.
He said he moved back to campus for the convenience, and told the assembly that "tangible issues" are the key to keeping residence halls competitive with apartments.
Specifically, Newman discussed the recent decision by the university to take Channel 12 off the air, suggesting that perhaps RHA could offer fewer special events and use that funding to subsidize the channel's continued operation.
"We need to put our money where our mouth is," Newman said. "When you look at one concert versus a channel for students all year, that's a tough decision, but maybe that's a place to start making cuts."
Newman also expressed a desire to improve wireless Internet access on campus, tighten residence hall security, improve water quality in the dorms and diversify food options in cafeterias.
But despite his ambitious agenda, Newman said the challenges facing the campus can't be solved overnight.
"These are not issues that are going to be solved in one administration - these are going to take 10 years," Newman said. "But that doesn't mean we can take them off the table."
Several assembly members applauded his candidness, as well as Newman's experience and consistent dedication to all entities of RHA.
"I don't think there is a way a candidate could be more qualified than Kevin Newman," said Derek Wallbank, Council for Students with Disabilities representative and former RHA president.
RHA adviser Paul Goldblatt said he also is looking forward to working with the new leader.
"Having worked with him, I know he has the skills to be president," Goldblatt said. "I'm very comfortable and very excited."
