By Zac Estrada, News Staff
Huntington News: What are the Resident Student Association’s responsibilities at Northeastern?
Tina Sherman: RSA’s primary responsibility is to improve the on-campus living experience for Northeastern residents. We do this through two main means: Programming and advocacy. Throughout the year we put on various large-scale events to engage students. These range from speakers and comedians to trivia nights, barbecues or our famous 24-hour scavenger hunt, Husky Hunt. We also work on various advocacy initiatives including sending representatives to the Food Advisory Board to suggest dining hall improvements, or working to fix broken laundry machines in the halls.
HN: How does RSA work with the university?
TS: RSA is deeply rooted in the Department of Residential Life. We work hard to make sure that everything we do fits in with not only our organization’s mission statement, but also that of ResLife – the university’s housing and residential life office. We also work closely with residence directors and resident assistants in terms of hall councils. Each hall or hall complex – for example, West Village E and F – has a hall council comprised of a president, vice president, treasurer and secretary that programs and advocates for their specific residents. RSA sets up and trains these hall councilors and works with the resident directors and senior resident assistants who act as their advisers to assist them in their projects. Additionally, we have a close relationship with the Student Activities Office, which assist us in putting on our programs.
HN: How does the group impact students?
TS: All of the projects that we work on throughout the year are always done while keeping student interest in mind. They can be as simple as introducing a new food into the dining hall, or more extensive, such as the expansion of gender-neutral housing into apartment style halls which started this year. Since incoming students are now required to live on campus for at least two years, we want to make sure they have the options and resources to make those years enjoyable.
HN: What are some key things you’re working on this year?
TS: The RSA Executive Board has been hard at work all summer on their own personal goals and initiatives. As a whole though, you can definitely expect a lot of programs throughout the year from us. We’re also striving to work closer with the various entities of Residential Life. There’s been some disconnect in years past between RSA and the resident assistants on campus, and we’re hoping to close that gap this year. We’ve already started by being more involved in resident assistant training this past August, and hope to continue to work with them throughout the year.
HN: What are some things freshmen need to know?
TS: If freshmen see problems in their room or residence hall, or have a great idea for a new Living and Learning Community (LLC) option or anything else related to housing and on-campus living, they should definitely feel free to let RSA know. They can do this by either attending our General Council meetings which take place at 7 p.m. every Wednesday in 335 Shillman, or by emailing [email protected].
HN: What events does RSA host and what are some upcoming events?
TS: We had a couple of events during Welcome Week including a trivia night and Duck Tours. On Sept. 19, we’ll be showing “Bridesmaids” in afterHOURS, and of course you can expect the Husky Hunt in early November. Be on the lookout for fliers posted around campus as well as checking our Facebook page (Facebook.com/NortheasternRSA) and Twitter (@NortheasternRSA) accounts for updates.
HN: Who are other key people at RSA?
TS: RSA is comprised of a seven person Executive Board. Other than myself, there is:
- Crissy Gaffney, Vice President for Housing Services
- Pedro Gomez, VP for Finance
- Matt Hamilton, VP for Administration
- Jimmy Okuszka, VP for Programming
- Nita Vaidya, VP for Collaboration
- Katelyn Zahler, National Communications Coordinator
We also have two officers, Terry MacCormack, who is our Student Government Association Representative, and Katie Kerber, who is our Senior Resident Assistant rep.
If students are interested in becoming involved with RSA, Sherman said they can run for their hall councils. Information sessions will be held next week. General Council meetings start at 7 p.m. next Wednesday in 335 Shillman, where students can join special RSA committees. For more information, visit www.rsa.neu.edu.
