Freshmen prove active in RHA

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Residence Hall Association got a fresh start yesterday afternoon with training and the year's first senate meeting.

"A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step," said Craig Lennon, assistant director of residence life for student leadership. "Or sometimes a five-hour meeting."

The 61-student 2009-10 RHA Senate, which is still short a few senators from several residence halls, includes rookie and veteran members. Freshmen filled about half the table, Lennon estimated — more than typically hold positions in the group.

"I think freshmen are getting more involved," Lennon said. "Just because they're new to campus doesn't mean they're new to leadership."

When it came time for residence hall reports, most senators and presidents had their sights set on homecoming, which kicks off this weekend.

For its second annual homecoming tailgate party, RHA will partner for the first time with the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which usually holds its own block party. The organizations will put on a joint tailgate party Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Mabel Lee fields.

"We're hosting this," said RHA President Sammy Nabulsi, a junior political science major. "We're not helping—we're hosting."

The free event is open to all students and will have food, games and a musical performance by Pomeroy.

With this school year's session officially underway, Nabulsi and RHA vice president Jared Dailey, a sophomore education major, plan on boosting advertising for two projects that began this year — The Pulse traveling nightclub and the green mugs for students to use in the dining halls.

The Pulse, a biweekly dance club on campus, began Aug. 27 with a positive response from students. The next event is scheduled on Sept. 24 as a homecoming concert on East Campus.

RHA's green mugs, students' only option for bringing drinks out of the dining halls, are on sale for $2 at the RHA office, at tables outside dining halls and possibly out of members' dorm rooms.

Although RHA will host the tailgate party in place of their meeting next week, members plan to hit the ground running at their next session in two weeks.

"Student government has the potential to be something very special," said UNL Housing Director Doug Zatechka as he addressed the senate. "I hope you continue the trend because I think you have the capacity to continue to make the halls great."