Inter-Residence Hall Association (University of Florida)

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This article is about the residence hall association of the University of Florida. For other similar organizations, see Residence hall association.
Inter-Residence Hall Association
AbbreviationIRHA
PredecessorInter-Hall Council
Formation1978; 46 years ago (1978)
TypeResidence hall association
HeadquartersRawlings Hall, Gainesville, Florida
President
Kara Sammetinger
Vice President
Remy Ronkin
AffiliationsUniversity of Florida Department of Housing and Residence Life
WebsiteInter-Residence Hall Association

The University of Florida Inter-Residence Hall Association (IRHA) is a student organization of the University of Florida that acts as an association of on-campus undergraduate residents and represents them to the university housing department.[1][2][3] IRHA is a residence hall association (RHA) and is the exclusive such organization for University of Florida undergraduates.[1][4] The organization is one of the largest student organizations on campus and, historically, one of the most influential on university policy.[5][6][7]

IRHA's headquarters are provided by the university's housing department and are located on campus at Rawlings Hall.[citation needed]

IRHA shares its office with the James C. Grimm chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary and is a member of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls, a national affiliate organization.[8]

History

Predecessors

The first residence hall association on campus was proposed at a meeting of resident assistants at Fletcher Hall in 1949. At the meeting, led by residence hall director, Claude Hawkins, several committees were formed that would cover different fields of service to residents. Those committees included an orientation committee (responsible for new student's orientation), policy committee (responsible for advocacy to the housing department regarding policy), student government committee (responsible for negotiating for a more formal organization), and social committee (responsible for event programming for residents).[9] By and large, these are the same purposes that later successor organizations would have as well.[1][10] The organization that grew out of this meeting came to be known as the Residence Hall Association, broken up by gender between a men's and women's organization.[11][12]

The individual organizations, now part of IRHA, that represent different residence hall areas are known as area governments (abbreviated as "AGs"). AGs have existed since at least 1958, with Murphree Area Council and Tolbert Area Council being mentioned in The Florida Alligator around this time.[13][14] AGs existed prior to this in the form of "hall councils" that represented individual halls rather than residence hall areas.[15] Hall Councils were nominally considered a direct part of student government during this time frame.[16][non-primary source needed]

The President's Council had replaced the Men's Residence Hall Association in 1962.[17][18] Some AGs were independent of the President's Councils, with Murphree Area Council being listed as a separate organization on campus event lists during this time.[19] The President's Council floundered in accomplishing its goals and was soon replaced with the longer lasting Interhall Council.[20] The Interhall Council had existed at different points in the past, acting as an intermediary of the AGs.[21]

The Interhall Council is the immediate predecessor organization to IRHA, and was established and operating in 1965.[22][23] Like its predecessors, the Interhall Council was made up of two different organizations segregated by gender.[11][23][24] The organizations merged in 1973, after the only remaining female only residence halls, the Broward/Rawlings Area, and the last male only area, Murphree Area, were made co-ed.[25][26]

The Inter-Residence Hall Association in 1978.[citation needed] The Interhall Council continued for a few years, at least until 1980, with AGs having representation in both.[27] IRHA assumed the responsibilities and operations of the Interhall Council sometime soon after.

20th Century

Since its founding, IRHA has been heavily involved in student involvement and runs programming and events for residents and students in-general.[28][29][30] AGs lead the majority of events and operate event programming at the residence hall area level, while IRHA runs events campus-wide.[13][28][30] IRHA's largest series of events, Residence Hall Week, is held at the beginning of the academic year and acts as a welcome week to new and returning students.[31][32]

In the early days of the organization, IRHA established and backed its own political party in the university's student government, called the Inter-Residence Hall Association Party.[33] The party changed its name soon after its establishment, being renamed the Independent Students Alliance.[34] The party eventually changed its name once more to the Student Alliance Party and operated until around 2010, though largely detached from IRHA by the time of its disbanding.[35] While the two organizations are independent of each other, some members of IRHA occasionally participate in both student government and IRHA.[36][additional citation(s) needed]

IRHA has supported efforts to prevent sexual assault on the university's campus. In 1984, the organizations made efforts to establish working committees to prevent such crimes.[37][38] IRHA funded on-campus buses and shuttles operating at night (now known as the SNAP shuttles and Later Gator program).[39] IRHA continued to fund it into sometime in the 21st century when student government took over funding and operations.[40]

Until 1985, IRHA and IRHA-affiliated AGs were allowed to serve alcohol at events.[41] In 1990, IRHA additionally voted to support rule changes limiting alcohol in residence halls.[4] Including this occasion, until at least the mid-1990s, certain rules regarding resident safety and housing operations were put up to votes of the IRHA general body.[4][42]

IRHA has, previously, led a number of public service campaigns. In 1986, IRHA led the University of Florida's branch of a widely publicized statewide campaign to limit drunk driving and excessive alcohol consumption over the winter break of the academic year.[43][44] IRHA led a largely successful voter registration drive in 1988.[45]

IRHA has written guides for new students coming to the University of Florida, which they have done since at least 1987.[46]

Since at least 1991, AGs have arranged for "permanent improvements," physical improvements to the amenities and facilities of their residence hall area.[47]

21st Century

UF IRHA has been running its signature "Writing on the Wall" event since 2002. Writing on the Wall is an event program where participants are encouraged to write the disparaging words spoken to them throughout the years on a temporary wall. The words are used to change the conversation at a closing ceremony. The wall is then publicly changed to make the words into positive versions.[48] The event has received both local and national coverage and has inspired a number of similar events held in other universities in the United States.[49][50][51][52]

In 2006, IRHA and the housing department sponsored a campus-wide challenge to limit the waste of energy and bettering the eco-friendliness of residence hall buildings and campus facilities.[53]

In 2016, the senior director of the university housing department that typically oversees IRHA was charged for embezzling money from the university using an account that had been earmarked for the organization's funding. The scandal involved the dismissal of seven employees of the department and two criminal charges.[54][55] Despite IRHA not actually being involved in the scandal, financial restrictions, funding limitations, and operations restrictions were placed by the new housing administration on the organization and the AGs, which as of 2023, still remain in place. Before this time, AGs had the capability to cash checks for residents and sell membership cards to help boost funding, capabilities no longer given to the area governments.[32][additional citation(s) needed] IRHA's leadership and the AGs have, additionally, since had difficulty working with other departments of the university operationally.[56]

IRHA's advocacy operations were slowed in the after-math of the COVID-19 pandemic, only beginning to return in 2023.[citation needed]

A new AG joined in 2023 with the partial opening of the Honors Village at UF, designated to serve UF's honors program.[citation needed]

Organization

Leadership

A building and separate sign reading "Inter-Residence Hall Association" and "National Residence Hall Honorary"
IRHA's headquarters at Rawlings Hall

The organization is made up of a general body and an executive board. The general body is made up of the members of the area governments' executive boards, members-at-large who apply to join and are accepted by vote of the general body, and directors appointed by the president of the organization.[57][non-primary source needed]

The executive board is made up of the top leadership of the organization and is elected for the next academic year by the members of the general body. There are six positions on the executive board: President, Vice President, Auditor, Parliamentarian, Operations Manager, and Communications Coordinator-NCC.[57][non-primary source needed]

A staff member of the housing department (usually a residence director) is tasked with being the staff advisor of the organization and a graduate student is tasked with being the graduate advisor of the organization.[57][58]

Area Governments

IRHA acts as a central organization where a number of smaller organizations representing residents from individual residence hall areas take part in.[59] Many AGs have traditional events held annually or near annually, such as Haunted Thomas held by Murphree Area Council.[60] Each area government has its own office near its respective area desk office. As of Fall 2023, there are 12 AGs representing individual collections of undergraduate residence halls on campus:[1]

Area Governments occasionally merge or change names. Hume Area Council (HAC), for example, originated as the Student Honor Organization (SHO) and Broward-Rawlings Area Government (BRAG) previously operated as Rawlings Area Council.[64][76]

The Area Governments are also used within the student government structure at UF to allocate seats for their Student Senate.

National Residence Hall Honorary

UF IRHA co-operates and shares offices with the University of Florida's chapter (the James C. Grimm Chapter) of the National Residence Hall Honorary.[77]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Inter-Residence Hall Association". University of Florida Housing & Residence Life. November 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  2. ^ Berg, Susan (January 17, 1991). "Students urged to maintain safety habits". Gainesville Sun. pp. 3B.
  3. ^ Lennon, Clare (March 6, 2013). "UF Students Want Roommates of Either Gender". The Ledger. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  4. ^ a b c Holland, Rob (May 17, 1990). "Dorm room alcohol use restricted". Gainesville Sun. pp. 4B.
  5. ^ Schafer, Mitch (October 17, 1985). "UF housing plan tunes in cable TV, computer access". Gainesville Sun. pp. 2B.
  6. ^ Berg, Susan (March 19, 1991). "On-campus rent to increase 7 percent". Gainesville Sun. pp. 5B.
  7. ^ Bowie, Melia (September 10, 1997). "Student Senate kills reapportionment bill". Independent Florida Alligator. pp. 1 & 8.
  8. ^ "Affiliates: South Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls". National Associations of College and University Residence Halls. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  9. ^ Baker, John (July 15, 1949). "Counselors Meet to Discuss Plans for Coming Year". The Summer Gator. p. 1.
  10. ^ Hargrave, Dave (April 4, 1991). "IRHA events offer free food, prizes". Gainesville Sun. pp. 6B.
  11. ^ a b Weissenborn, Lee (November 19, 1949). "Better Late than Never". The Florida Alligator. p. 10.
  12. ^ "Three Girls Making Wedding Plans". St. Petersburg Times. December 9, 1956. pp. 3E.
  13. ^ a b c Tams, Joan (October 27, 1959). "For student dance: Hub door to open Saturday night". The Florida Alligator. p. 1. A similar plan was tried last year, spearheaded by Jack Varney, president of Murphree Area Council, but lack of finances and publicity prevented its success...
  14. ^ a b "McPherson Tops Collegiate Slate". The Summer Gator. June 20, 1958. p. 1.
  15. ^ "Hall Councils are Elected by Residents". The Florida Alligator. October 28, 1949. p. 7.
  16. ^ Directory of Student Organizations. Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida. 1960.
  17. ^ Tolbert, Ben; Beaty, Robert (1955). Men's Residence Hall Association records 1954-1955. Gainesville, Florida: Smathers Library.
  18. ^ The University of Florida Seminole Yearbook 1962. Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida. 1962. p. 333.
  19. ^ Stanley, April (April 3, 1962). "Publick Occurrences: Campuswide". Florida Alligator. p. 3.
  20. ^ Collins, Maureen (January 11, 1965). "'Last trimester'... only a memory now". The Florida Alligator. p. 2.
  21. ^ The Seminole Yearbook 1953. Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida. 1953. p. 219.
  22. ^ University of Florida Tower Yearbook 1968. Gainesville, Florida. 1968. p. 448.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  23. ^ a b Riker, Harold (1964). Records of the University of Florida Division of Housing Office of the Director. Gainesville, Florida: Smathers Library.
  24. ^ Scott, Boland (October 27, 1966). "Gators to Embark on Homecoming Lark". St. Petersburg Times. pp. 2B.
  25. ^ University of Florida Tower Yearbook 1973. Gainesville, Florida. 1973. p. 322.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  26. ^ Blansett, Sharon (2010). A history of University of Florida residence facilities (Revised 3rd ed.). Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida Department of Residence and Student Life. p. 86.
  27. ^ University Record 1980. Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida. 1980. pp. 20 & 25.
  28. ^ a b Hairston, Jack (August 18, 1979). "Charley Pell's pep brigade still generating ideas". Lakeland Ledger. pp. 5D.
  29. ^ Santos, Mauro (March 25, 1982). "Dorm Festivities Begin This Week". Gainesville Sun. pp. 1D.
  30. ^ a b Lopez, Andrea. "Holi 'Festival of Colors' takes over Flavet Field". University of Florida News. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  31. ^ Fakhoury, Nawal (March 28, 2008). "Concert part of Residence Hall Week". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  32. ^ a b Ross, Marissa (August 23, 2015). "What To Expect During Welcome Week At The University Of Florida, Now That You're Officially A Baby Gator". Bustle. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  33. ^ Barrus, Christopher (September 29, 1978). "SG predicts improved voter turnout". Independent Florida Alligator. p. 3.
  34. ^ Woglowski, Vicki (October 4, 1978). "What's Happening October 4, 1978". Independent Florida Alligator. p. 14.
  35. ^ Klausner, Alexander (September 28, 2010). "Student government candidates make last-ditch efforts". Independent Florida Alligator. p. 4.
  36. ^ Davis, Michael; Van Dien, Jennette (February 26, 2007). "You can vote today, tomorrow for SG leaders". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
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  38. ^ "Sexual abuse to be investigated by UF". Boca-Rotan News. February 29, 1984. pp. 3B.
  39. ^ Don't walk alone at night! (Information sign). Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida. c. 2007.
  40. ^ Friedman, Amanda (February 27, 2023). "Spring Student Government elections: A voting guide". The Independent Florida Alligator. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  41. ^ Wright, Tchad (June 20, 1985). "Campus adjusts to new law". Gainesville Sun. pp. 1E.
  42. ^ "Students act to ban cigarettes". Gainesville Sun. October 28, 1988. pp. 3B.
  43. ^ Associated Press (December 6, 1986). "Students vow not to drink and drive". Boca Rotan News. pp. 3B.
  44. ^ "State universities competing for holiday anti-drinking pledges". Lakeland Ledger. December 9, 1986. pp. 8B.
  45. ^ Carney, Steve (October 8, 1988). "Voter turnout surpasses coordinator's hopes". Independent Florida Alligator. p. 3.
  46. ^ Snyder, Greg (June 25, 1987). "Student's anxiety turns to panic". Lakeland Ledger. pp. 6W.
  47. ^ Hargrave, Dave (March 19, 1991). "UF senators will hear dorm funding request". Gainesville Sun. pp. 2B.
  48. ^ Boddupalli, Samantha (2016-03-20). "Writing on the Wall". UF PRISM: University of Florida Honors Literary Magazine. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  49. ^ Simmons, Lawren (2020-02-20). "Sticks and Stones". The Independent Florida Alligator. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  50. ^ Ford, Andrew. "Get it off your chest by painting a brick at 'Writing on the Wall'". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  51. ^ Hopson, Cassidy; Moye, Brianna (2019-02-18). "IRHA's 2019 Writing on the Wall Ceremony Empowers, Inspires Students". Her Campus. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  52. ^ Thompson, Kelsey (2019-04-01). "'Breaking Down Barriers!' event to provide inclusive space for marginalized students". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  53. ^ Sikes, Janine (November 10, 2006). "Students compete in contest to limit energy waste at UF". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. pp. 5B.
  54. ^ Swirko, Cindy. "UF official gets 4-year prison term in embezzlement case". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  55. ^ Swirko, Cindy. "UF Housing theft case grows by $470,000". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  56. ^ Morales, Christina (2017-12-15). "How Many Parking Citations Does UF Hand Out Annually?". WUFT National Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  57. ^ a b c Constitution of the University of Florida Inter-Residence Hall Association (2023 revision ed.). Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida Department of Housing and Residence Life. 1978.
  58. ^ Dunkel, Norbert W. (1998). Advising student groups and organizations. John H. Schuh (1st ed.). San Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass. pp. xix. ISBN 0-7879-1033-3. OCLC 37211098.
  59. ^ "They make others happy". The Baltimore Afro-American. April 10, 1982. p. 12.
  60. ^ a b Rauch, Erin (October 28, 2010). "Students get scary with on-campus haunted house". Independent Florida Alligator. p. 5.
  61. ^ Cornelison, Tom (January 26, 1971). "Towers Area Proposes More Liberalization". The Florida Alligator. p. 1.
  62. ^ Flanagan, Ellen (November 18, 1980). "Beaty Towers target of arsonist". Independent Florida Alligator. p. 1.
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  64. ^ a b "Plant City Student Dubbed 'Outstanding'". Miami Times. October 6, 1988. pp. 9B.
  65. ^ Dahlquist, Bonnie (February 28, 1968). "UF Architects Ready to Move". The Florida Alligator. p. 1.
  66. ^ Chapman, Frances (2013-10-15). "What's ahead for SHO?". UF PRISM: University of Florida Honors Literary Magazine. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  67. ^ "A look inside UF residence halls". Independent Florida Alligator. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  68. ^ a b Blansett, Sharon (2015-12-03). "Fall Leadership 2015 & Welcome Week". UF Housing Alumni Magazine. Gainesville, Florida. p. 12.
  69. ^ "Look who you can throw a pie at". The Florida Alligator. November 8, 1974. p. 9.
  70. ^ Nwokolo, Soma (2010-02-04). "Murphree residents celebrate Black history Month". The Independent Florida Alligator. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  71. ^ "UF from Freshman Gator Jared Machado's Perspective". UF's Traditions. 2017-04-12. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  72. ^ Miller, Phyllis (April 15, 1960). "News from the University of Florida: Election Antics". Lakeland Ledger. pp. 10C.
  73. ^ Tousek, Chantelle (2006-10-18). "Residents get dirty as Tolbert Hall holds annual 'Mudfest'". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  74. ^ "Inter-Residence Hall Association". Housing & Residence Life. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  75. ^ The Seminole Yearbook 1966. Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida. 1966. p. 382.
  76. ^ Johnson, Melissa; McNeil, Elizabeth; Lee, Cory; Keeter, Kathy (2015). "The Colliding Cultures of Honors and Housing". National Collegiate Honors Council – via University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
  77. ^ "Chapters". National Residence Hall Honorary. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
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