February 2, 2011
To the WURHA Board of Directors and NCC’s:
On behalf of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Residence Hall Association, I have been given the honor of writing this letter of support to nominate UWSP for the Large School of the Year Award. Based on the criterion for this award, I sincerely feel that UWSP’s RHA is more than qualified to receive this honor.
Here at UWSP, we have created and long standing tradition of developing high caliber student leaders. This year has more than upheld that standard. Each year starts with motivational training and leadership development conferences held at the Lion’s Camp complex in Rosholt, WI. All of the RHA Executive Board members, Community Advisors, Academic Resource Coordinators, Assistants to the Hall Directors, and Hall Government members spend a few days working together. We provide opportunities for not only team builders and goal setting (personal, academic, leadership position, team), but also time to get with their hall’s leadership team, as well as others with the same position to promote an environment to share past experiences and knowledge to start a support group for the year and form ideas for the future. In the spring we hold another refresher conference which allows opportunities for student leaders to present programs to their peers, promote campus resources, and educate themselves on not only how to apply their acquired leadership skills to new jobs, but how to promote and advertise those skills on resumes.
As in the past, UWSP’s RHA has continued to provide outstanding opportunities for personal development through our programming. We kicked off the year with a “Freshman Picnic” and “Welcome Back Dance” which is a great first step in welcoming residents back and making them feel welcomed wanted here at UWSP. We have also done a fine job of utilizing our resources to promote better programs beyond our own organization. We have worked with other student organizations, as well as student run departments, to utilize the strengths of multiple groups working together to provide the best programs for not only students, but also the community. Some examples include our work with Centertainment Productions, a student run department, to coordinate “My Funny Valentine.” We bring in a 15 piece swing band, have a nice dinner, then a lovely swing dance, which after 8pm is open to all students and the community. This allows for them to use their skills in contract bookings, as well as us to lend our strong volunteering manpower. Another example is our support of the Student Involvement and Employment Office, which is bringing in Frank Warren, the founder of “Post Secret,” and needed help funding the event. This event is something that has been asked for by students for years. It is because of the help with funding from student organizations like RHA, that this eye-opening event will be free for both students and the community.
Lastly, I want to talk about the reputation that this organization has earned. I truly feel that I cannot express the significance of this subject enough, but can genuinely contribute it to the efforts of our student leaders. UWSP’s RHA has become an integral part of the decision making not only for Residential Living, but the University as a whole. It is because of our strong values, pride in work, professionalism and efficiency in both gathering feedback and accomplishing tasks that we are sought out. This year, our University has been undergoing a great deal of changes to the structure of our Shared Governance process, and RHA has been a key player in every discussion along the way. Another circumstance that I feel shows how much the reputation of RHA has grown on this campus, is the addition, this year, of the RHA President as a permanent member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet. This is the group that the Chancellor goes to for feedback, ideas and discussion of topics that concern the entire University. Our reputation even stretches beyond our own University. This year alone we have been approached by different universities, as well as United Council. The President of United Council approached us inquiring into how we are structured, as well as how we handle different situations, so that they could in turn help some other universities that were struggling with internal issues. Another example, near the beginning of the year, the advisor for Concordia emailed me asking for information on how our relationship is with Residential Living, as well as examples of legislation and policy recommendations that we’ve done in the past.
I cannot speak highly enough of the impact that UWSP’s RHA has on not only the success of our University and our student leaders, but also the success of our residents. I know that it is because of these efforts that many students, including myself, are proud to call Stevens Point home. I feel that UWSP meets the entire criterion for a School of the Year Award and I fully support the RHA’s effort in bidding for this Award.
Kyle M. Lannon
RHA President