The Residence Hall Association held an election April 5 to determine its executive board members for next academic year. The results were as follows: Tim Geldmacher (President), Chris Coleman (Vice President), Jean Samson (Treasurer), Sarah Grein (Secretary) and Brendon Wagner (National Communication Coordinator). Anyone who lives on campus was eligible to vote in the election.

“I would like to thank the whole RHA body for giving me the privilege of serving them,” stated incumbent RHA President Loretta Kojak. “I have never been so proud to hold and serve in a position as I have in this group. All the comments that I have heard about apathy on this campus have been rebuffed by this group.”

Kojak added, “Consistently, they have demonstrated an attention to issues, dedication to the group, and camaraderie among themselves.”

According to Kojak, major accomplishments of the organization this year included the move to the new office-located in the lower level of Clemens Hall right past the C-store-installation of a computer system and work on the Residence Bill of Rights and Responsibilities.

President-elect Tim Geldmacher considers the RHA, “A voice for residents at SLU. A student-advocacy group that works with Resident Life and Student Life to improve the quality of life for residents on campus.”

Geldmacher, the current vice president, commended Director of Residence Life Leonard Jones for having “sought the input of students, contrary to what has transpired in the past.”

Geldmacher sees the purpose of RHA as twofold: advocacy and programming. An example of programming is the popular “Midnight Breakfast” held each semester on the Wednesday of finals week. This semester it will be served on May 10, 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Last semester, approximately 800 people attended.

“Recently RHA has been working with Reinert Hall Council President Laura Hobart to resolve the SLU 2000 upgrade over carpet’s being replaced with tile there,” Geldmacher said. “A majority of Reinert residents are opposed to this change.”

According to Geldmacher, RHA seeks two things: “First, to try to keep the carpet in the hall. Second, to make sure decisions that affect residents aren’t made without student input.”

When asked what procedure students should follow when problems arise concerning campus living Geldmacher suggests they speak to their hall/apartment council first and ask for the problem to be addressed by RHA or call the office. directly. RHA meetings are every Monday night at 6:30 p.m. in the Argentum Room at BMC.

“I have every hope that the new executive board will take RHA to even greater heights,” Kojak said. “Geldmacher has been training for the position for the past year and his vision of the big picture will allow him to serve the residents in the most effective manner. I hope to see this group become a cohesive unit and lead the charge on serving residents of the Frost campus.”