RHA Executive Board — Back Row from Left to Right: Shere-Khan Smoot, T.J. Lucas, Leslie Garrett, and Jack Purser; Front Row from Left to Right: Stephen Hoffman, Kimberly Kerr, Deborah Amos, and Sarah Balzer.
The University of Charleston’s Residence Hall Association is a very young organization, which was chartered in the fall of 2007. Our purpose is to provide residents with an opportunity to become leaders in their immediate living community and amongst their peers. We also strive to promote the general welfare of the residence halls by acting as a forum through which residents, staff, administration and Student Life may discuss matters of mutual concern. We function today with the help and support of our seven member executive board, hall council members, two advisors and thirty general members. Our current membership is now flourishing with students who are passionate about residence life and are eager to making a difference in their communities.
RHA Hall Delegates — From Left to Right: Randi Dillon, Tyler Cox, Steven Hayhurst, Rhys Batt, and Lindsey Stahlman.
RHA is affiliated with the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH) and the Central Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (CAACURH). UC’s Curtis J. Clark serves as the CAACRH Regional Director. The past few years have been very successful for RHA. In 2011, President Kimberly Kerr won a Cougar Pride Spirit Pin at NACURH, and Advisor Jack Purser was awarded a Silver Pin for Leadership at CAACURH. In addition to these prestigious awards, UC RHA was awarded the Campbell the Cougar Spirit Award at No Frills 2011 and CAAUCRH 2011, Most Spirited Delegation at CAACURH, and the Top 10 Program for Live Action Angry Birds at CAACURH. 2012 is also off to a great start for RHA. This year RHA was awarded the Building Block Award at No Frills. RHA is also proud to note that UC won and will host the 2013 CAAUCRH No Frills Conference. This conference will be held February 8-10, 2013 on the University of Charleston’s beautiful campus.
Every year RHA puts on several programs for the students on our campus. Our first event of the year was Live Action Angry Birds. One of our largest events is our Haunted Hall held in the Alumni House. We also put on two town hall meetings in the Fall addressing issues on campus such as food service, security, maintenance, parking, internet, etc. Many top faculty members are usually in attendance such as Dr. Edwin Welch, Cleta Harless (VP of Finance), Dr. Letha Zook (VP of Academics), Virginia Moore (Director of Housing) & Bethany Meighen (Dean of Students).
Food Services Town Hall — Held in the newly remolded Starbucks.
In February, we hold our annual Super Bowl Party on Super Bowl Sunday. We provide a 60+ inch screen to watch the game on, food and games with prizes during halftime. We have also successfully fundraised for Relay for Life through programs and special events including fundraisers like selling Valentine’s Day Roses and Relay for Life bracelets. We also held a Christmas Door Decorating Contest and Candy Apple Sale, Egg Hunt and a Mystery Dinner. We encourage you to join us Wednesday nights at 9:30pm in the Appalachian Room!
Residence Hall Linens – gives parents the opportunity to purchase the hard – to-find extra long linens needed to fit specially sized residence hall beds. Through these easy and affordable programs, families can have the linens and accessories shipped directly to their homes over the Summer.
The Collegiate Welcome Care Package Program – is offered at the beginning of the academic year. Parents have the opportunity to send useful and fun items to first-year students.