American University
Residence Hall Association
c/o Housing & Dining Programs | 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW | Washington, DC 20016-8142
Phone: (202) 885-1878 | FAX: (202) 885-1154 | E-mail: info@aurha.org | www.aurha.org
Reiter Boldt
President
(202) 885-1878
reiter@aurha.org
Devon Wallick
Vice President of
Administration and Finance
(202) 885-3606
devon@aurha.org
General Assembly Agenda
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Rajita Sanji
Vice President of Advocacy &
Community Coordination
(202) 885-1742
rajita@aurha.org
Hayat Abu-Ghazaleh
Vice President of
Programming
(202) 885-2772
hayat@aurha.org
Patricio Barnuevo
National Communications
Coordinator
(202) 885-3676
patricio@aurha.org
Marieka Cober
Chief of Staff
(202) 885-2179
marieka@aurha.org
Daniel DeHollander
Advisor
(202) 885-3138
deholla@american.edu
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April 17, 2014
Call to Order
o President Reiter Boldt called the meeting to order at 9:02 pm.
Attendance
o Anderson 5/6
o Cassell 4/5
o Centennial 3/5
o Hughes 6/6
o Leonard 4/6
o Letts Clark and Roper 5/6
o McDowell 0/4
o Nebraska 0
Minutes Approval
o Motion to approve last week’s minutes, unanimous consent
 seconded
Agenda Approval
o Motion to approve this week’s agenda, unanimous consent
 Objection
• Motion to move Hall Wars report to beginning
• Seconded
o Motion to approve this week’s agenda, unianimous consent
 seconded
Hall Reports
o Anderson
 Working with RAs to study for finals
 Wrapped up Holocaust Remembrance Week
o Cassell
 Finishing door dec contest
 Working on transition
 Finishing the last event
o Centennial
 Mentors in McKinley happening right now
 Planning spring fling and final freak out
 Getting ready for Hall Wars finale and transition
o Hughes
 Finishing transition documents
 Planning study break for finals
o Leonard
 Good weekend with block party and Taste of Leonard
 Working on transition documents
 Shanon handed out bags with Green Eagles
o Letts Clark and Roper
 Had cereal bar on Monday
 Ice cream bar next Monday
 Giving RAs fun bags
Information: hall council transition documents are due to Reiter by transition
McDowell
 None present
o Nebraska
 None present
Executive Board Reports
o President
 What I did
• Bylaw revisions
• Director of residence life interviews
 What I plan to do
• Any needed bylaw revisions/updates
• Work on transition
o Vice President of Administration and Finance
 What I did
• Updating budget
• Looking into credit card reader
• MFS package delivery for Monday
 What I plan to do
• Transition speech
• Drafting memorandum of understanding with NRHH
o Vice President of Advocacy and Community Coordination
 What I did
• Hall Wars finale: checking contract, weather, Chipotle,
everything else
• Finished counting HOTY
• Continue working on transition document and trasitioning Nate
 What I didn’t do this week
• Finish making assignment spreadsheet for Saturday
 What I will do next week
• Finish assignment sheet (actually by tomorrow)
• Finish transition document
o Vice President of Programming
 What I did
• Finalized food order for transition
• Finalized transition speeches
• Finished transition schedule
• Finalized Hall Wars Finale
 What I plan to do
• Finalize transition document
• Clean out desk
• Finalize transition banquet details
o National Communications Coordinator
 What I did
• NACURH prep
• Program proposal for the delegation on RAINN Day
• Fundraiser in Anderson lobby this Friday from 8-12 at night
o Chief of Staff
 What I did
• Took plaques into store and got a work order, should be done
by 22nd
• Made guide to minutes to talk about tonight
• Met with Daniel for one-on-one
 What I plan to do
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Advisor
 What I did
• Attended Relay for Life
• Met with Reiter, Meg, Megan, and Marieka
• Reviewed bylaws and governing documents
• Requested summer housing for Megan
 What I didn’t do
• Run/walk/skip in the Poker Run 5k
 What I plan to do
• Meet with Zoe (4/18)
• Attend Hall Wars finale
• Request check for NACURH delegation
• Finalize RHA Poster Sale for August 2014
 HDP and Other Updates
• Hall Closing and Late Departure Process
o The residence halls close at 12pm (noon) on
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
o Anyone who is requesting to stay in the residence halls
after 5/7/2014 must fill out the form located at
http://www.american.edu/ocl/housing/Late-DepartureRequests.cfm
• Project Move Out
o Aramark and FM will be distributing clear trash bags to
student rooms next week along with Move-Out
instructions to assist with our student
donation/collection drives.
• Facilities
o Nebraska & Cassell Halls - Windows Inspection: On
Monday April 21 from 1pm to 4pm, interior windows
inspection will be done at Nebraska & Cassell Halls.
o Nebraska & Cassell Halls - Floor Damage Inspection:
On Tuesday April 22 from 11:30am to 2:30pm, a
contractor will be on site to inspect all rooms reported
to have floor damage (delamination, surface wear and
discoloration) in Nebraska & Cassell Halls.
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Administrative Board Reports
o Parliamentarian
 What I did
• Finished transition speech
• Finishing touches on transition document
 What I plan to do
• Transition new parliamentarian once selected
o Deputy Programmers
 Meg working on Final Perk
• Beach bash theme outside of library
• Free cookies and activities
 Hall Wars Finale is this weekend
• Need to finalize tables that will be there on Saturday
 Prep for transition!
o Social Media Deputy
 What I did
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Finish transition speeches
Finish transition documents
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• Met with Patricio and Marieka
• Finished digitizing posters
 What I plan to do
• Work on McFormal ads
• Advertise for Hall Wars
• Add posters to the i-drive
NRHH Report
o Presented by Reiter and Marieka
o Puppies on the Quad!
RHA Executive Board-Elect Report
o Presented by Megan
 This week is busy
 Working on application process for appointed members
 Working on general transition stuff
New Business
o Parliamentary Procedure via Minutes with Marieka
 Presented by Marieka
o Vote of Confidence on RHA Strategic Plan
 Presented by Reiter
 Plan and goals have been sent to everyone
 Only changes since the last presentation were the addition of
assessment measures for each goal
 Questions/comments
• Would you recommend that new e-boards keep adding things
or make a new one?
o Things will change with new members
o Document will evolve but gives a guideline
o Not set in stone
• Language can be changed to match the new governing
documents
• Minor spelling and character changes
 Motion to call the question
• Seconded
• Vote: 29-0-0, passes
o Hall Wars presentation
 Presented by Rajita
 Hall Wars deadline is Tuesday at 11:59 pm
 Put graphic on your Facebook
 Weather: 70 and sunny
o Bylaws Presentation and Voting
 Presented by Reiter and Paul
 Ceding the chair to Devon
 Motion to extend the presentation time to 20 minutes
• seconded
 Question and answer
• Why is the speaker included for SG?
o Provides a link to the Senate with RHA
o Point of contact for legislator
• Are stipends per semester?
o Amounts are annual, paid monthly
• How are stipends handled if someone steps down?
o The appointed person would get paid for the months in
office
o Not a problem, person knows the job
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Why are there crossed out sections?
o Just a typo, has been fixed
What is a first reading?
o First reading of legislation, usually done at roundtable
o Introduces a resolution and allows it to happen in GA
delegate roundtable
Can you clarify the role of Chief of Staff and the a-board?
o Gives CoS the role of making sure all deputies are
treated fairly
o Makes them an advocate
o Keeps them in the loop about deputy assignments
o Check and balance
Is the memorandum of understanding annual?
o Jointly draft memorandum
o In effect until the time of creation until the end of
term/academic year
o Sets the expectations of both organizations
o No set format
What is an active hall council?
o Trying to add accountability in the future
o In the old documents
How will raises work?
o Omitted and not replaced
o Might replace in the future
o Need to talk about what would be reasonable
o Advocate to work on this next year
Motion to extend the period by 15 minutes
o Objection
 Con
• Already had time to ask about this
• Make this period about last minute
questions
• Make it 10 instead
 Pro
• Still have lots of questions
• Really important
• Need Paul and Reiter to answer
• Lots of other people have questions
 Con
• Can always add more minutes
• 10 minutes is a good start
 Pro
• Can always end period early
 Pro
• Most people are here, let’s politely
question these people!
• Extra time
 Motion to call the question
 Vote: 25-1-1, passes
What is the section for elections?
o Rules of elections are in election packet each year
o Stipulations of elections are not in the by-laws
o Parliamentarian transition sets standards for elections
o Will be prepared for the future
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o Typically not in the documents
Who is the parliamentarian’s boss?
o CoS oversees the board
o Parliamentarian works directly with president usually
o Each member reports to their member of the e-board
Can a-board be new RHA members?
o Can be a new person
o Everyone needs to live in the residence halls
No mandated meetings between a and e boards
Can you explain the HDP change?
o Complies with established councils of HDP
o Based on structure of RDs
o Not codified, how it goes right now
o McLeo has separate hall councils but the same RD
o Could change with East Campus
o Cannot dictate how structure is done, point of
advocacy
o Could advocate for our position/organization
Could you clarify the appointment process for NCC?
o Not changing at this time
o Could look for this change in the future, didn’t feel
comfortable with changing it right now
Where would publicity officer job go?
o They don’t do this right now
o Work with regional and national relationships
What about the section on what cannot be suspended?
o Please amend to add this to the document
Why are VPs appointed not elected?
o We looked how hall council elections work
o President still makes the selection and gets it ratified
by the GA, legislator works as a check
o Special election in GA to vote for a new president
o Educated individuals who can confirm or deny
Can you define previous RHA experience?
o GA, a-board, anyone appointed or elected, any part of
the organization
o Majority of e-board has been members of RHA
o SG positions are open because they advocate for all
students, we work for residential students
o Make sure running students are residents and know
about the organization/role
o Removes the current clause that allows a waiver
Motion to extend the period by 5 minutes
o Seconded
Would we add prior e-board experience to the e-board
section?
o Has already been added there
How long does a person need to serve?
o Can be a semester, year, whatever!
Would you add a clause that stipulates the power of the
governing documents?
o Could be added
o There is a stipulation that mandates the creation of
financial policies
Can you clarify removal from positions?
o Gets rid of “duly passed legislation” section
o Bylaws determine why you can be removed from office
o Other legislation could be confusing
• Motion to extend the period until Reiter ends discussion
o Seconded
• Do you stipulate how often the advisor should check
membership status?
o Done every semester
• Who is picked before transition?
o CoS, NCC, and Parliamentarian
o Sworn in with e-board at transition
o CoS and NCC already had this provision
o Added provision for parliamentarian
• Are deputies necessary?
o Can have more than listed
o Positions do not need to be filled
o At the discretion of the e-board
o Only parliamentarian must be filled
• Can the BoE be kept as an alternative?
o Could be done
o President and parliamentarian could work together on
that
o Probably doesn’t need to be mentioned,
parliamentarian can oversee that
o Paul would not advocate for a Board of Elections
• Where did deputies come from?
o They are picked by the e-board
o Respective people appoint their picks
o Confirmed by president
o Positions need to be filled before first GA
• Do you need RHA experience to be on a-board?
o No!
o Same requirements as hall council members
• Reiter can be called in for more questions.
Motion to consider the bill by parts
• Seconded
Motion to amend “delegates” to “delegation”
• Seconded
• Discussion
o No points
• Vote: 29-0-1, passes
Motion to add 4th sub-point
• Seconded
• Discussion
o No point
• Motion to call the question
o Seconded
o Vote: 27-0-3, passes
Motion to amend to stipulate a regular meeting between e and a
boards by the third GA
• Objection
o Con
 Requires more flexibility
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Con
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Pro
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Shouldn’t be written into the Constitution
Worried about busy schedules
Regular meetings would ensure meeting
Allow members to have flexibility
People will be busy
Will have time and the responsibility to meet
Not doubting members
Gives a deadline for all members to have an
established time
Con
 More flexibility is better
 Can work with plans
o Pro
 Publically announced and regular
 Can still plan one-on-one meetings
 Hold them accountable to their jobs
o Information: why is section 5 that way then?
 Ensure that communication is constant between
the board, not trying to suggest a particular
meeting time
o Information: what communication are your
encouraging?
 All a-board and e-board
 Entire e-board needs to know what is going on
 Have attended some e-board meetings
o Information: what is the wording of the amendment?
 Nate read wording
o Motion to end the period of pro/con
 Seconded
Friendly amendment of the wording
o Accepted
Motion to call the question
o Objection
 Con
• Making them set a meeting time
• Want it to be more of a suggestion
 Pro
• Suggestions are not put in bylaws
 Pro
• Amendment mixes original intent with
what actually happens
 Motion to end the period of pro/con
• Seconded
Motion to call the question
o Objection
o Withdrawn
Motion to postpone the amendment
o objection
o withdrawn
Motion for a three minute recess
o Seconded
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Pro
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Friendly amendment to change language
o Seconded
• Motion to call the question
o Seconded
o Vote: 27-1-1, passes
Motion to change “being” to “be”
• Seconded
• Discussion
o No point
• Motion to call the question
o seconded
o Vote: 30-0-0, passes
Motion to move to title 2
• Seconded
Motion to amend stipends
• Withdrawn
Motion to move to title 3
• Seconded
Motion to amend to add conflict of interest clause
• Seconded
• Discussion
o No points
• Motion to call the question
o Seconded
o Vote: 26-0-2, passes
Motion to move to title 4
• Seconded
Motion to amend SG section
• Seconded
• Friendly amendment not accepted
• Discussion
o No point
• Motion to call the question
o Seconded
o Vote: 7-17- 4, fails
Motion to move to title 5
• Seconded
Motion to amend “a” to “an”
• Withdrawn
Motion to amend “or” to “of”
• Seconded
• Discussion
o No points
• Motion to call the question
o Seconded
o Vote: 28-0-0, passes
Motion to amend to add “full year”
• Seconded
• Friendly amendment “full academic year”
o Accepted
• Friendly amendment “semester”
o Not accepted
• Discussion
o Semester commitment can show the work
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o Academic year is a little long
o This amendment limits the number of applicants
• Motion to call to question
o Objection
 Con
• Want the chance to speak
 Motion to end pro/con
• Seconded
o Vote: 19-7-1, passes
o Withdrawn
Motion to table this discussion
• No second, motion fails
Motion to add “one semester”
• Seconded
• Objection
o Con
 Don’t think stipulation is needed for the time
served
 Could have other roles and give them the
know-how
 Dedication more important than time served
 Past experience showed great people
o Withdrawn
Motion to move to title 6
• Seconded
Motion to amend to include the language from the old bylaws
• Seconded
• Discussion
o No points
• Motion to call the question
o Seconded
o Vote: 25-0-2, passes
Motion to move to title 7
• Seconded
Motion to recess
• Seconded
Motion to move into un-moderated caucus
• Seconded
Motion to amend title 5, article 1, section ii
• Seconded
• Discussion
o Amendment is a good compromise
o Certain level of expectation
o Waiver would allow exceptions
o Document would need to be created for a waiver
o Information: How would the waiver work?
 Applies to members who haven’t served in the
position for a full semester
o Election packet has to be approved anyway
• Friendly amendment to “written consent”
o Accepted
• Discussion
o Another hoop for people who want to apply
o Could limit applicants
One signature should not bar someone who wants to
serve in the office
o Need experience in order to fulfill the e-board role
o Some experiences are needed to serve in the position,
ex: training
• Motion to call the question
o Seconded
o Vote: 29-2-0, passes
 Motion to add title 5, article 3, add section 6
• Seconded
• Discussion
o No points
• Motion to call the question
o Seconded
o Vote: 29-0-1, passes
 Motion to amend title 5, article 3, section 5
• No second, fails
 Motion to enter a period of discussion for 5 minutes
• Seconded
• Objection
o Withdrawn
• Discussion
o Elect members rather than appointment
o Special elections would be not feasible and difficult
o People wouldn’t run in all of the elections
o President has the trust of the hall to appoint people
and do the president’s job for the residents
o Low turnout for special elections
o Elections to fill positions on e-board?
o President has our confidence, can appoint and fill the
empty seat
o GA has to approve the new e-board members
o Motion to end the period of discussion
 Seconded
 Motion to suspend all governing documents
• Seconded
• Vote: 31-1-0 and 6, passes
 Motion to call the previous question and ratify the new governing
documents by dividing the house
• Seconded
• Vote: 31-1 and 6, PASSES
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Adjournment
o Meeting adjourned at 12:59 AM.
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