The Residence Hall Association’s balloon and streamer covered cart concluded a procession of school spirited vehicles at the homecoming parade. As the cart cruised down 13th Ave., members of the association smiled and waved for the university to see. But being a feature in the homecoming parade is not all what RHA is about.
“My college experience definitely wouldn’t have been the same if I didn’t join RHA,” current RHA President and previous administration coordinator Danny Lu said. “I wouldn’t have met the amazing people I have. I wouldn’t have met the lifelong friends that I have if I didn’t do RHA.”
That same sentiment resonates at RHA’s general council meetings. Each week, representatives from every residence hall take time to discuss and plan events that impact the residence halls’ communities.
Events include watch parties, Cake Study Break, and Dux in Tux, a formal dinner and dance.  
In addition to planning and producing events, being involved in RHA provides students living in the residence halls an opportunity to network and develop leadership skills. These skills help students become successful in other leadership roles on campus.
“I would not be in the position I am now if it were not for RHA. 100 percent,” said James West, former RHA President and current internal staff director for ASUO.
If a person living in the residence halls is looking to develop leadership skills and make an immediate impact on campus, all residents are members of RHA Mike Hardej the professional staff advisor for RHA explained.
As members, residents have many ways to get involved including the president’s cabinet, joining a task force for the Pacific Affiliate of College and University Residence Hall, the organization RHA is under, and joining hall government.  
Hall government is a branch of RHA with elected positions and a senate. Residents elected to a position meet with RHA executive board members once a week and connect communities from different residence halls. Senators are voluntary but important positions.
“Some of our best hall government members start as senators and step up,” said Lu.
Mirroring RHA, Hall Governments create events for their halls, including LLC’s Block Party and Hamilton’s Hamstock. Hamstock, a one-day music festival held on the Humpy Lumpy Lawn between Bean and Hamilton, received recognition as the program of the year at the PACUHR Conference last year.
At that conference, the University of Oregon’s RHA and sister organization, the National Residence Hall Honorary, received four institutional awards, two members received individual awards and eight members earned service certificates.  
“RHA only enhances our university full of amazing communities,” West said.