During the RHA meeting Thursday members talked about preparations for the Illinois Residence Hall Association conference.

“We are very excited!” said Julia Novotny, IRHA co-chair and junior physics major. RHA will sponsor 20 representatives from Eastern to participate in the IRHA conference where they will learn leadership and program strategies.

Novotny said more than 100 volunteers will help with the conference throughout the weekend.

“The volunteers have been eager to help,” Novotny said.

She also said students from other universities are coming in at 3 p.m. today.

Novotny said the representatives from other schools are excited about the conference.

“The representatives are looking forward to a new experience,” Novotny said.

Also during the meeting, Jake Nees, the president of RHA, said Collegiate Marketing has expressed interest in setting up a rental program at Eastern.

The company wants to provide a rental program that would allow students to customize their dorm rooms.

According to bedloft.com, Collegiate Marketing has provided colleges with bed lofts and refrigerators for 15 years.

Students would pay the company to rearrange their rooms either by bunk or loft setup.

Collegiate Marketing would allow each individual residence hall to set up their customized layout.

The company would set up the layout before students arrived on campus.

Nees asked for each residence hall to review the rental program and see if they are interested in the program.

Collegiate Marketing did not mention a specific amount for the rental program.

Also, the company would rent students a small microwave and refrigerator for about $125 to $140.

The company could also provide students with a futon that would be designed to fit under bed lofts for $199.

According to Nees, RHA would receive a commission for this program, which would allow RHA to build up their general fund.

During the meeting, many members thought a guest speaker from the Collegiate Marketing would be present to discuss the rental program.

“I thought a guest speaker from the company was coming,” Novotny said.

Michael Frisby, secretary of RHA, said a guest speaker was not scheduled for the meeting.

Also, RHA discussed upcoming programs such as Kids and Friends Weekend, which is scheduled for March 4 and 5.

Elizabeth Edwards can be reached at eaedwards@eiu.edu.