Residence hall awarded national honor
The organizers of the “Humans vs. Zombies” game last semester raised the bar for residence halls everywhere. The game helped Utah State University’s Residence Hall Association (RHA) on their way to being awarded “School of the Year” for the 2009-10 academic year.
The nod for “School of the Year” was voted upon by members of the Intermountain Affiliate of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls, after reviewing a 30-page bid prepared by members of the USU-RHA board. Universities in the Intermountain region run the length of the Rocky Mountains, including a swath of states surrounding Utah, as well as the Alberta and Saskatchewan provinces of Canada.
“To be chosen as school of the year is a great honor for us,” said Kaitlyn Allen, the national communications coordinator for the RHA. “Compared to other bids, the regional executives said that ours was particularly strong. It’s all about letting people know who we are, and what we can do.”
The RHA is responsible for the “Humans vs. Zombies” phenomenon that swept campus Fall 2010, and turned it into an arena: sprinting, shooting, sweating, swearing and screaming students attempted to be the last human standing.
Plans for another round of the game are underway, and members of the RHA are continuing to plan activities that involve and include students; those who live on campus in the dorms, and the student population at large.
“It is overwhelming with all the clubs on campus and can be intimidating as a new student,” Allen said. “Members of the RHA take initiative and set up activities to build leadership.”
The RHA has a weekly meeting Wednesday evenings to connect with each other and discuss issues or resolve conflict. ResLife Week is a recurring program which allows different areas of housing to plan activities. Last year’s program included a movie night, bowling, a murder mystery dinner, casino night and a more somber experience called Light at the End of the Tunnel.
“It let residents see a variety of views from people who still experience injustice,” said Bryce Sprosty, who organized the event. “It was one of the biggest projects I’ve worked on in my entire life.”
A bid was written and submitted for the Light at the End of the Tunnel, which earned it the title of “Program of the Year” for the region.
“The program is going to be presented at nationals to compete, and it has a really good chance of winning,” Sprosty said.
The RHA highlights individual members inside the residential community with “Of-the-Month” recognition, and feeds a sense of appreciation for resident assistants who can recognize the outstanding characteristics in other people.
“The entire program is so service oriented, you’re definitely not doing it for the free housing,” said Kris Kabalan, former Resident Assistant for the Living Learning Center. “You need to love the people and want to see them succeed. I loved the involvement on campus, but especially creating a social environment for the socially awkward.”
Kabalan is originally from Alaska, and moved directly into the LLC upon his arrival in Logan.
“I loved working with the outsider: getting their opinion, then putting more spunk in it – I’d throw some money on it, guarantee pizza and a good time. It was perfect for getting involved on campus and enjoying college life, but you are always an RA, people will always need you.”
The RHA is heavily involved in service and fundraising and spent time tying blankets for hospitals, arranging Sub-For-Santa services and building community amenities such as the Whittier Community center playground. The RHA also sent letters and packages to soldiers serving in the Armed Forces.
A letter of recommendation from Student Services Vice President James Morales stated: “RHA fills a valuable role for USU in serving as advocates for residents by listening to their needs and concerns. This function helps not only to triage problems but also helps ensure the physical, emotional, and overall well-being of USU’s students.”
Allen said another goal and function of the RHA is to give students a voice on campus. Sprosty functions as the hands for that voice as the new advocacy chair. Students are able to submit issues to the chair to have resolved.
“The request forms are filled out for equipment, or to clear the parking lot of snow, or to build a sidewalk,” said Sprosty, “I just work with the right people to get things fixed.”
Student response has been overwhelmingly positive for the advocacy action on campus.
“The people they recruit for RAs have amazing ideas, and they get stuff done, but it is all dependent on your director,” Kabalan said.
Allen’s adviser was recognized by the national housing organization as the National Advisor of the Year.
“I could sit and cry for hours telling you how much she’s helped me through this,” Allen said.
“I don’t think the fire will ever die, because it is about people,” Sprosty said. “People will always put time into housing because there is a great feeling and philosophy behind it, and it’s so much fun.”
– m.p.dahl@aggiemail.usu.edu