VSU Residence Hall Association Wins Regional Award

VALDOSTA - Valdosta State University’s Residence Hall Association received the RHA Building Block of the Year Award from the National Association of College and University Residence Halls at the No Frills conference held March 20-22 at Florida State University.

The annual award honors schools that have displayed tremendous effort and improvement from the previous academic year. Winners from the seven NACURH regions compete for the national building block award.

VSU RHA Advisor Liz Powell said in her recommendation letter that her group’s biggest accomplishment was the creation of committees, on which executive members serve. The modern living, conferences, fundraising, diversity, programming and planning committees have allowed students to become and remain more involved and improved programming options as well.

“Out RHA has seen a great amount of growth and development this past year, growing from a small 10-15 student organization to one that regularly commands 50 at each general assembly and hundreds at programming events,” said Dr. Thomas Hardy, director of Housing and Residence Life, in his recommendation. “They hit the ground running in the fall with several outstanding programs on such topics as diversity, sponsoring RHA University, which trained their members on leadership, and even teamed up with SGA on several events…”

The organization has used online social networking tools like Facebook as well as events like Dining Dish and staff appreciation week to get students more involved. Members also volunteered at the local soup kitchen. Working hard to improve rough areas, such as communication and fundraising, the group has taken several steps forward and hopes to only improve more.

Call the Office of Housing and Residence Life at (229) 333-5920 for more information on getting involved with the VSU RHA.