Written by: Sadie Latimer | News Editor<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every residence hall at Western has a student government. Hall governments are a place for students to go if they want to voice any concerns, ideas or opinions about their hall. Not only that, but in past years, members of hall governments have gotten new supplies for kitchens and lounges. Maddy Wilson, assistant resident advisor for Arbor Park and Landers, stated, \u201cLast year they bought new TVs for both Sequoia and the Landers Lower Lounge, so that’s one big thing that they’ve done.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond that, the hall government teams have also put together various programs for students, such as block parties, that help students build stronger communities and bond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leadership and Programs Coordinator Connor King-Goehring, stressed the importance of building a community at a smaller level. \u201cBuildings have their own governments to talk to that are their peers, just because it’s easier to talk to someone that you see every day in your hall,\u201d said King-Goehring. \u201cAll students have a voice on campus. \u2026 (They) don’t need to be involved to have a voice on campus, but getting involved in hall government will really uplift the students\u2019 voices.\u201d King-Goehring emphasizes that all students should be represented, especially since first-year students are required to live on campus unless waived by Western.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students participating in hall governments can plan events that they believe will be fun and engaging for their peers, like parades. \u201cLast year was our first annual Pride parade,\u201d said King-Goehring \u2014 last June, RAs marched for Pride in Monmouth behind a decorated car-float and handed out LGBTQ+ flags to the crowd. It was planned by the combined efforts of RHA and Monmouth Has Pride committee. By participating in hall governments, people can start events, such as involving themselves in Pride as King-Goehring did, and even shape traditions that potentially make life at Western more enriching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am the coordinator of leadership and programs, and so I work on a professional staff level,\u201d said King-Goehring. \u201cI work here full time as my job. My role in hall government is I oversee the Residence Hall Association that sits above the hall government.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When King-Goehring was a student at Western, he was involved in hall governments and housing. \u201cI came back professionally advising RHA and Hall gov. because I enjoy housing and advising student leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
King-Goehring placed emphasis on seeing students overcome their fears and gain confidence in their roles \u2014 stating that he loves \u201cwatching the joy in students and the student leaders’ eyes when they put on these programs and when they’re doing all these amazing things, and being like, ‘That’s because of you. You’re the one who did it.’\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Augusta Edwards, Ackerman\u2019s resident director, understands the importance of having communication between a school\u2019s residents and its staff. \u201cI went to a college that did not have any form of hall government or even a Residence Hall Association, and then I worked at a college where I was working to bring back the Residence Hall Association,\u201d said Edwards. Even though they didn\u2019t have a hall government, they still knew how beneficial it would be to the students. \u201cHall government’s a great starting point into learning what your voice is and what your voice does.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is Edwards\u2019 second year working at Western. As a Resident Director, they help oversee the hall government of Ackerman and watch students gain valuable experience by being in the hall government. For instance, the treasurer will learn budgeting skills and might get to work with vendors for certain programs. \u201cIt’s good to be involved. It helps build campus connections and that sense of belonging that WOU has been really working really hard to foster,\u201d said Edwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being a part of a student government does come with some challenges, according to Edwards. \u201cIn regards to hall government, we’re bringing all these people in hopefully with these diverse experiences and these new ideas, and how do we get these people to work together? Conflict is inevitable, and so how do we move past conflict and work together as a team?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many of Western\u2019s programs, especially hall governments, face the problem of low student involvement. \u201cGetting students involved\u201d is the hardest part about being an ARA, according to Wilson. Each hall has meetings that are open to all residents of that building, regardless of whether or not the student is a member of the government. \u201cCome to at least one meeting and check it out. It’s not as scary as you think. The people who are there want to be involved, and they’re very friendly, and they want to make friends,\u201d said Wilson. \u201cI would say if people are interested in joining Hall gov \u2026 then to reach out to their (resident director) and they can get them connected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
King-Goehring, along with many other people involved in hall governments, are always striving to put students\u2019 wellbeing first. \u201cIt’s volunteer work, and it’s seen as volunteer work,\u201d he said. \u201cA motto that university housing follows is: you’re human first, and then a student and then a student leader.\u201d Staff of hall governments prioritize student health and can accommodate for class schedules, mental health and other obstacles that may come up in students’ lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elections for hall governments are already underway. However, it is not too late for students to get involved \u2014 they can attend a meeting any time throughout the year and voice their thoughts to their peers, or contact their resident director to make their opinions known. \u201cI love being involved and knowing that I’m making a change,\u201d said Wilson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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