Thomas Hall may become a co-ed dorm starting in the Fall of 2012.

The Residence Hall Association a voted 28 to 5 in favor of making Thomas Hall co-ed during its meeting Thursday.

Jody Stone, assistant director, Residential Life and Conference Services, told RHA the new arrangement would be on a one year trial basis to see if it works out and what students’ think.

“The co-ed resident halls tend to fill up first. Thomas can hold about 400 students but currently has only about 250; we would not kick anyone out, just add more people,” Stone said.

Stone said the building would be divided gender based by floor and that male and females would not be sharing bathrooms.

Prior to bringing the idea to RHA, Stone talked to the Thomas Hall council.

“They were split about 50/50,” Stone said. “I understand where those opposed are coming from; it is about a change in tradition, and I understand that. I lived in Thomas for four years as an undergraduate.”

Stone said at this point the idea is still in the planning stages.

“We wanted to see what RHA thinks and from there I will take my finding to Mark Hudson (Housing Director) who will take it to Dr. Nadler (Vice President of Student Affairs),”Stone said.

The Thomas Hall delegation voted 1 in favor of the change and 2 against it.

Hannah Thomas, a junior and RHA representative for the Lincoln Hall Council, voted against the possible change in Thomas Hall.

“I had two friends who lived in Thomas last year and I spent a lot of time there. It’s very quiet and that is why many of the guys chose to live there,” Thomas said. “Adding more people and adding girls would change that as well as change the tradition of the building; tradition is important.”

Other topics discussed at the meeting were elections for Homecoming court, for which many of the residence halls have candidates.

Also at the meeting National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) announced their Of The Month awards for Student, Resident Assistant, Building Director, Community, Educational Program and Faculty/Staff of the month. Winners are nominated by members of their community and receive a decorated paddle.

The next RHA meeting will take place at 5 p.m. at Oct. 20 in McKinney Hall.

Amy Wywialowski can be reached at 581-7942 or alwywialowski@eiu.edu.