Annual Resident Hall Association elections took place last night for all 14 residences across the Boston University campus, including the Hyatt Regency Cambridge and Holiday Inn in Brookline.
Each dormitory held elections from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., differing by location. Voters submitted anonymous ballots choosing chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary and treasurer to represent their residences at the Student Union meetings.
Denise Burford, assistant director for the Office of Residence Life, said “the chairperson coordinates meetings along with the other chairs and sets up the program for the semester.”
Topics discussed among the executive chairs for the RHA, or the “e-board,” included bathroom cleaning, safety walks to examine the Blue Lights around campus and any other issues students find amiss within their dormitory communities.
In the weeks leading up to the elections, Fall Welcome Coordinators conducted the weekly RHA meetings, but after Tuesday night, the responsibility was turned over to the newly elected head chairperson.
College of General Studies freshman Ekaterina Valiotis described to voters her vision if elected chairperson for West Campus before ballots were cast.
“I want to organize a casino night where stores will sponsor us with tickets and chips and I want to bring the band Chauncey to campus,” she said.
The atmosphere in Rich Hall was chaotic with last-minute shouts from nominees as Fall Welcome Coordinator Ashley Hill, a College of Arts and Sciences sophomore, rushed into the cinema room with party platters from Subway.
“I’ve been at Subway since 6:15,” Hill explained at 7:45 p.m. “It’s very hectic here for West Campus and everyone came here knowing who they want to vote for. It’s hard at a place like West because it’s so big and it’s all freshmen who haven’t had a lot of time to get to know each other – on other parts of campus it’s easier.”
The Warren Towers election had a different tone, in which candidates gave five-minute speeches to a silent, seated crowd. Some suggested the installment of paper towel rolls in the bathroom, weekend bathroom cleaning, improved gym equipment and extended computer-lab hours as part of their campaign promises.
Karen Belanger, Warren Towers area director, said she was not surprised by the turnout of 152 voters because it is typical for RHA elections.
“The students put flyers on their floors and in the lobby, but they were allowed to advertise all over the building,” Belanger said.
This year, the large amount of slates was unique to Warren, Belanger said.
“There are a few more slates than the past couple of years, but the amount of nominees is the same,” she said.
At Danielsen Hall, the election atmosphere was relaxed, as students sat in a circle in the basement lounge.
Candidates, primarily upperclassmen, gave brief speeches explaining their plans for the next semester.
Popular topics included reinstating the shuttle service, buying a new television and fixing the pool table, said Kim Stone, a fall welcome coordinator.
“We want to get the cluster of brownstones more involved in the RHA,” said Stone, a CAS senior, speaking of the residencies on Raleigh Street, Beacon Street, lower Bay State Road and Commonwealth Avenue, which are all considered a part of the Danielsen RHA.
Chairperson candidate and CAS junior Tiffany Tribbett agreed.
“Since Danielsen and lower Bay State are distanced from campus, it’s important that we have a strong community here,” she said. “I wanted to get involved to do what I could to improve life at this end of campus. I want to plan fun trips for the RHA to New York and Montreal and I want to see the shuttle come back.”
The newly elected officers from each residence will meet Sunday for a special training session to become accustomed to their new jobs. Topics covered will include dealing with paperwork, public speaking and organizing events.
Officers assume their positions as soon as the votes are tallied and will run next week’s Tuesday RHA meetings.
Official election results were not available at press time.