Maggie Recca and Mitchell Davis are running under the slogan “Move Mizzou” in the Residence Halls Association presidential election.
The pair’s campaign platform is separated into three parts: Strong, Safe and United. Overall, the two aim to increase resources that promote resident wellness and safety, stimulate resident engagement and alter government aspects of RHA to make it more effective.
The full platform can be viewed [here](http://www.reccadavis2017.com/platform.html).
“One of the biggest things that Maggie and I really want to work on is that, as residents of Mizzou, we should feel comfortable about living on our campus,” Davis said.
Proposals under the “Strong” section of the platform deal with increasing accessibility to resources for residents. The two said they want to increase awareness of health resources like the suicide hotline and Counseling Center, as well as create a confidential RHA email support hotline. The new hotline would function as an extra outlet for any general grievances a resident might have.
Another proposal is the placement of feminine hygiene products in residence halls.
“We believe that if you can walk downstairs and get a condom, the ladies should be able to walk downstairs and be provided with that,” Recca said.
The “Safe” part of the platform deals with improving student security on campus and contains one of the campaign’s signature proposals: the improvement of the blue light emergency alert system currently found around campus. The slate wants to increase the number of blue lights on campus and make sure existing lights are in working order.
Additionally, the pair wants to coordinate Green Dot program training through the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center for all RHA representatives and executive cabinet members.
In its “United” section, the slate’s platform contains several policies aimed at community-building within the halls. The two want to strengthen RHA’s relationship with the Missouri Students Association, Greek Life and its residents in general by making changes to certain aspects of RHA government.
Specifically, the platform advocates for the creation of a Greek Life liaison position within RHA, which would work with Greek organizations to coordinate events.
“Residence halls on campus and Greek Life kind of have a disconnect because there’s so many events happening in both organizations,” Davis said. “We feel that establishing a Greek Life liaison on our board would allow for more connectedness on campus.”
Other proposals include the creation of a joint MSA/RHA newsletter and the establishment of general RHA assemblies twice a semester, policies the two say will increase transparency and involvement in RHA. They said that increasing involvement could help students realize the importance of student government.
“So many people don’t know what RHA is, or don’t know what MSA is,” Recca said. “Students should know who represents them and be aware of how they can make Mizzou better.”
One of the more notable policies on the platform is a proposed all-upperclassman residence hall. The pair said it could encourage students to return to campus by providing a freshman-free experience. Although the two said they would get the ball rolling, the idea is long-term.
Recca currently serves as Programming Coordinator on the executive board, and Davis serves as the Residential Living Committee chairman.
Voting opened March 1 at 10 a.m. and closes March 3 at 10 a.m.
_Edited by Emily Gallion | egallion@themaneater.com_
