Leadership conference planned for February
In February, 250 representatives from colleges and universities around Illinois will attend a conference hosted by Eastern’s Residence Hall Association.
Thursday, members of RHA discussed the upcoming Illinois Residence Hall Association conference.
The conference will include leadership development for 250 representatives from 18 different schools in Illinois.
Julia Novotny, IRHA co-chair and junior physics major, said the conference will be at Eastern from Feb. 18-20.
“The IRHA conference is a way for students to come together from different schools,” Novotny said.
RHA will sponsor 20 representatives to participate in IRHA where they learn leadership and program strategies.
“Students can learn ways to develop their own council,” Novotny said.
The representatives will stay in motels in Mattoon because the residence halls do not have enough room to fit all of the visitors.
Preparation meetings will take place every Sunday at 7 p.m. for the 20 representatives attending the conference.
Novotny is currently searching for volunteers to help with the entertainment programs and to direct visitors around the school.
“We need volunteers to help monitor the programs,” Novotny said.
She said students wishing to be involved can sign up to volunteer Saturday.
“Volunteering is a great way to be involved and could help build up students’ resumes,” Novotny said.
RHA also announced that the board of trustees approved the construction of a new office in Stevenson Tower.
The new office will include an additional room, giving RHA more space.
Construction for the new room will be finished before the end of the spring semester.
Jake Nees, the president of RHA, said they are currently in “a planning period.”
Nees said RHA is planning a social justice and diversity week, as well as a “Kids and Friends Weekend” for this semester, which is scheduled for the first week in March.
During the meeting, the residence halls reported on the status of their elective boards.
“We did a project where we donated seven fleece blankets to Sarah Bush (Lincoln Health Systems),” said Sarah Plutnicki, representative of Lawson Hall and sophomore nursing major.
She also commented on the upcoming IRHA conference.
“The IRHA conference is an great way to develop leadership skills,” Plutnicki said.
The meeting took place in Ford Hall and complimentary cookies were provided.
Elizabeth Edwards can be reached at 581-2812
