Scuba Steve is taking a trip this weekend.

Members of the Illinois Residence Hall Association are attending a conference this weekend, where they will hear programs to bring back to Eastern.

Brittany Kraft, National Communications Coordinator for RHA, told the group about the conference on Thursday’s meeting.

“There are five programs that are being presented, and every school that goes has their own little sub-theme. Our sub-theme will be Scuba Steve from the movie ‘Big Daddy,'” Kraft said.

Members will leave today at noon.

“We have been to a lot of business meetings so far for IRHA, but we are taking a delegation this weekend and will learn some cool programs to bring back to campus,” Kraft said. “The different programs that are presented include things such as diversity, social, educational and so on. We do not know what programs will be presented at this conference yet, though.”

While at the IRHA State conference, Eastern will seek the titles for “School of the Year,” “Rookie of the Year,” “RHA Member of the Year” and “Outstanding Service Award.”

Also at the meeting, it was announced elections for Residence Hall Association will take place Feb. 28. Interested students need to have applications ready by Feb. 21.

Jarrod Scherle, RHA president, said the jobs and responsibilities of being part of RHA executive were talked about at the RHA retreat last weekend.

“We talked about it (nominations and elections) at the RHA retreat because we thought that would be a good way to get people interested in running for positions,” Scherle said.

A bid is an informal résumé where applicants have their experience written at the top, along with why they think they would be good for the job and what they will contribute.

“All the bids will have a different theme to them,” Scherle said.

The Winter Olympics budget was approved during the meeting. Winter Olympics will take place this year from Feb. 20-23.

“A dog-sled race, volunteering at ‘Up All Night’ on February 28, a bowling night, a scavenger hunt, dinner with RHA and a dance are all going to be incorporated into this year’s Winter Olympics,” said Ashley Hoogstraten, vice president for diversity and programming for RHA.

There will be no RHA meeting next week because of Lincoln’s birthday.

In Other News:

An upcoming “Dating Game” for couples will take place in Stevenson.

Thomas is redecorating its basement and may add a new mural.

On Monday, Feb. 18 will be an Open House. Volunteers for tours are needed.

Mark Hudson will have a meeting tomorrow to decide if vending machines should be cash only or chip only in residence halls.

Kid’s Weekend will take place March 28-30.

A blood drive will take place today in Andrews, sponsored by the biology department.

Heather Holm can be reached at 581-7942 or at haholm@eiu.edu.