1. I stared up at the Fargodome in awe as I followed more than 2000 college students from
around the country and various parts of the world in to the massive sports and entertainment
stadium. Voices roared around me as everyone yelled chants. Boom sticks smacked together in
the air and whistles shrieked in my ears. Selfie sticks were out. This is the day in the life of going
to the National Residence Hall Association Conference. This was all thanks to my participation
in the Residence Hall Association on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Not many people know what the Residence Hall Association (RHA) is, but it is tons of
fun, and I would definitely recommend getting involved with it if you attend a college that offers
it. RHA is a student-run college organization that works to benefit and work with students that
live in the residence halls by putting on events and financially supporting different groups. RHA
meetings consist of an executive board, general assembly members, and a gallery of guests. The
meetings use parliamentary procedure, a way to keep the meetings respectful and orderly.
The first time I heard the term RHA used was when I was working at the pool, and my
coworker Brandi Kochera asked me to switch a day with her because she was attending a
conference. She encouraged me to try it out when I got to school, but I was skeptical. I joined my
residence hall’s Leadership Involvement Team (LIT), or hall council. It is similar to your
average high school student council. They needed one more representative for RHA, and because
I was familiar with the term, I offered to attend the weekly meetings.
Joining RHA was the best decision I made in college hands down. I have met some of my
closest friends through it and made so many connections that will help me in the future. I know
that’s what you all want: to join a student organization in college that will further your career
options when you finish college. There are so many reasons to join this organization. RHA runs
its meetings using parliamentary procedure, or parli pro. Parli pro is valuable to learn because

2. many organizations base their meetings off of it. Sure, that sounds boring. I’m sure you want to
know how it can even better propel you to success. RHA gets you involved in Residence Life. In
RHA, we work closely with the people that hire Resident Assistants (RA). Many students join
RHA in hopes that they will have a better opportunity to get an RA position. It also sets you on a
career path in Student Affairs, if you find that is your passion. Joining RHA sets you up for
getting experience in event planning, because RHA puts on a lot of campus events. Most
importantly, RHA teaches you valuable leadership skills and how to make your voice count.
Being an assembly member means you are the voice of the hall and students you are
representing.
My advisor, Christina Aichele, has been active in Residence Life for so many years, and
it all began with RHA. Katelyn Wilson, and RA I met my freshman year, is even considering
going to graduate school for Student Affairs because of her involvement in RHA.When you
attend your choice college’s Student Activities Fair, don’t forget to check out the RHA table.
The best thing to do in college is get involved because it will set you on a path for a successful
future. Start your path with RHA.