The Maneater editorial board sat down with Residence Halls Association presidential candidates Jared Grafman, a junior, and Chris Rucker, a sophomore, on Monday to discuss their ideas and goals pending election Thursday. After reviewing each candidate’s ideas and abilities, we’re confident that Rucker and his running mate, Caleb Krenning, have the most promising vision for RHA, one that could focus the organization’s efforts and vastly expand its influence on campus.
Although each of them have one less year of experience in RHA than Grafman, Rucker and Krenning already have a strong background in RHA involvement. Both have been members on RHA since their arrival at MU three semesters ago. Rucker, a sophomore finance major, started his RHA career as president of Laws Hall and an RHA representative before becoming RHA treasurer and then vice president, the position he now holds. Krenning has been a committee chairperson for Residential Living and currently is the Events and Planning Chairman, putting him in charge of hosting most RHA-sponsored events on campus.
Grafman, who has held several positions within RHA in his five semesters with the group and who ran for this same position last year, is running with Taeler De Haes, a freshman and columnist for The Maneater. We can’t help but think that Grafman’s ideas, while they seem great at first glance, are highly idealistic and hardly practical. He could offer little information on the details of how his ideas (such as the purchasing of new washers and dryers for every residence hall, extended dining hall hours and more RHA-sponsored or co-sponsored events) could be practically implemented or financed. From our coverage of RHA over the course of the year, Grafman and De Haes’ decision to run has seemed like a hasty one.
Rucker, on the other hand, provided details and further information on all of his main goals and at least showed that he had conducted further research into his ideas. During his interview, Rucker repeatedly expressed his goals for increased sustainability in the residential halls. He has actively researched a recycling proposition for the residential halls, which includes a proposal for a 13-gallon recycling bin in each room. Rucker has done his homework on this subject: He has talked to residents, researched grants to fund the initiative and is planning a trial run with Residential Life. He has even contacted the manufacturer, which would provide the bins. Other sustainability proposals include a composting effort from Residential Life (which is on hold as a local farmer figures out the logistics of taking our compost), as well as updated recycling programs in the older residential halls, which don’t have as efficient programs as new halls.
Rucker also wants to make being involved in RHA more appealing by making roles in the organization more active, making meetings and Congress more interesting for representatives and addressing the communication needs within the organization. He expressed discontent with the current status quo, where representatives who aren’t actively involved in certain projects do nothing at RHA meetings and often are out of the circle of friends that is common in the inner RHA social circle. He wants to create more familiarity amongst RHA members, thus creating more active participation and retention.
To further expand RHA’s visibility, Rucker aims to create more events that are welcoming to other MU students, especially those who used to live in residential halls. Rucker emphasized that most student’s college experiences begin in the residential halls, and those who move off campus should still be welcome at RHA events. He also expressed a desire to reach out to other student organizations like the Missouri Students Association and the Legion of Black Collegians to increase visibility. We would urge him not to slack on this, especially in outreach to LBC.
We also admire Rucker’s approach to expanding RHA but retaining the group’s focus. He talked about respecting and preserving RHA’s boundaries as an organization designed to watch out for the interests of on-campus residents. He aims to keep RHA on a track to keep this fundamental mission in sight and not lose track of what RHA is really supposed to do. He preferred we call his “platform” a “to-do list.” He doesn’t want to be known for open promises that don’t get solved but for goals he’s working toward, which he already has been.
Rucker repeatedly showed a pattern of positive, realistic goals as well as an ambition to get them done, as he has already done his research to begin implementing his plans. Rucker and Krenning’s past experience, go-getter attitude and down to earth approach make them, in our view, the best candidates for RHA president and vice president.
