Q: What is the biggest change you have overseen as president?
R.R.: Our national affiliation with the National Association of College and University Residence Halls is a big accomplishment.
Q: What did that take?
R.R.: Our secretary, Carolyn Shea, was instrumental in the switch. She did a lot of the leg work to get us affiliated. She spent a number of hours filling out paperwork and getting the application done.
Q: What are the advantages of being affiliated?
R.R.: We have access to more funds we can apply for and also have a bigger network of schools to look at and see what they’re doing and how they are run. When planning Hump Week we got some good new ideas.
Q: When is Hump Week?
R.R.: March 14-17. We have a lot of fun events planned like a red carpet night, fire breathers, and a day of relaxation with yoga, Zumba, and Pilates in the gym and a massage therapist.
Q: What other events are you planning?
R.R.: We have a huge outreach field day coming up. The past two years we’ve been working with Fairhaven Elementary kids from kindergarten to third grade. We’ve been going almost weekly and acting as mentors. We’re going to host them for a day at college. Typically we don’t have the funding to do this so it will be the first time.
Q: Can students volunteer to help out that day?
R.R.: We are looking for close to 100 student volunteers. We’ve talked to different organizations but anyone who wants to help will be helpful. We’ve got to reach out to the community and give back. If people want to help they can contact me and we’d be more than happy to get them on board.
Q: As president what goals have you set?
R.R.: I wanted to one, create a sustainable outreach program. With the exception of the college day event we haven’t had a successful event to give back to the community. Secondly, I wanted to make our affiliation with NEACURH concrete.
Q: What do you hope to see in the future?
R.R.: I hope to see an all new executive board in place and to see them get more involved in the community as well as continue building relationships with other NEACURH schools. I hope we continue to use your partnership with them to its best potential.
