The Residence Hall Association met in Weller Hall Thursday to plan for next semester and to celebrate this semester ‘s end with an ugly holiday sweater party.

RHA members, decked out in holiday attire, split into their separate committees of president’s council, programming, social justice and diversity, community service and community development before reporting back to the council as a whole.

Members of the community development committee reported that they’re planning for Green Week, which RHA is trying to organize, will be a spring event concentrated on “going green.”

RHA members will be asking for donations from student organizations and residence halls to put on activities such as bingo, a treasure hunt, trivia and jeopardy.

The social and diversity committee is working to coordinate Social Justice and Diversity Week in the spring, and will be contacting representatives for it.

The service committee just finished its coat and toy drive and is planning a Relay for Life team in the spring.

The programming committee announced the movie that will be shown at Kids and Friends Weekend on Feb. 24-25: The Lion King.

Eddie Hillman, RHA secretary, said that Camp New Home is booked, so RHA will be looking into new places to host their retreat. The retreat will be Jan. 28 at a location to be determined.

Mark Hudson, director of University Housing and Dining Services, reminded RHA members that next Friday is the deadline for the Early Bird Contract and the residence halls close for break at 6 p.m.

Hudson also said that Jan. 19 is the Housing and Dining night at the Eastern vs. Tennessee State basketball game, at which there will be prizes given away.

“The grand prize is a double as a single (room) for all of next school year, it’s a double win,” Hudson said.

Alison Sinadinos, RHA adviser, said Eastern housing is seeking conference assistants for summer 2012. These assistants will help at camps over the summer and represent Eastern.

“It’s a great way to earn a little bit of money as well as take some classes,” she said.

The online applications are due by Jan 20. and interviews will be in February.

Seth McCormick, RHA representative for Taylor Hall, said he was grateful for a full and productive semester.

“We set our goals, worked towards them and accomplished them,” he said. McCormick said he’s looking forward to Kids and Friends Weekend and continuing to serve as a representative.

RHA will reconvene on Jan. 12 in the NRHH Thomas Hall classroom at 5 p.m.

Robyn Dexter can be reached at 581-2812 or redexter@eiu.edu.