RAB seeks to expand its membership

Not every dorm is represented on the Residential Advisory Board, The group hopes to change that next year. The Residential Advisory Board has received praise for much of its work with programming in campus residences, but some students have concerns that the body does not fully represent everyone living on campus. The recently released Biddison Hier report on residential programs and facilities called the RAB a "model for the nation," noting that the group's work with the Residential Faculty Council shows that "there is an active and vibrant stewardship of residential living and academic program components." RAB members are responsible for gathering opinions and suggestions from students within their residences and then presenting the issues to the board in weekly meetings. The group notifies the Department of Housing and Residence Life of issues members identify as important. But since several campus dormitories lack RAB representatives, some student concerns may go overlooked when decisions are made. Despite specific guidelines in the RAB's constitution for the distribution of representatives within the dorms, eight residences are currently without representation. "We want as many voices as we can because we are attempting direct representation," RAB Internal Affairs Director Emily Pollack said. "Without representatives in each building we have to make more assumptions," the College freshman added. Residences without representatives this semester include Spruce Street and Goldberg House in the Quadrangle, the Modern Languages House, the East Asia House, the Latin American Program, Arts House, the International Project and the Community Service house -- known as the Castle. And several other residences do not fill their representative quotas. "We're making a strong effort to gain members," RAB Chairperson Roshini Thayaparan said. "But it's hard with such small numbers in the smaller programs." Thayaparan added that although all the University residences were encouraged to send representatives to the RAB, not all were able to supply an interested student. "It's realistic that the more students you have in a dorm or program, the more representatives you'll get to volunteer," Pollack said. "But we don't want that -- we want volunteers from everywhere." East Asia House is one of the living learning programs that does not have an RAB representative, but Judy Hung, the program's director, does not see that as problematic. "East Asia House consists of members who are very open with each other and with me, and problems that arise are usually brought directly to me," she said. Hung added that the RAB contacted her about student volunteers, but she never promoted the participation as much as the group had wanted. "If [the RAB] wants participation from the living learning programs? I would suggest asking the students directly for participation," she said. RAB members are aware of the lack of equal representation on their board and are planning a "massive" recruiting program at next fall's CUPID, according to Pollack. "We definitely want to alleviate the problem for next year," Thayaparan said. "It's our number one goal." "We are hoping to gain many new interested freshmen students early on in the year," she added, noting that residential advisors will be asked to inform residents about the group. Assistant Director of Residential Operations Gordon Rickards, who acts as the liaison between the RAB and the Department of Housing and Residence Life, said he is optimistic about the RAB's success. "They really do make an attempt," he said. "They have grown extremely this year and have a lot of growing to do. But as they become more known they will get more members." Rickards emphasized that in addition to advising the University as part of the Biddison Hier report, the RAB has also planned many successful programs for on-campus residents this year -- including the Public Safety Expo earlier this month and the Mural Mania contest in February. The group also plans to sponsor study breaks during the upcoming finals period. "The study breaks during the final weeks should be a big success? based on the trial break in December," Rickards said.